To keep pace with the growing demand for stevia, sweetener producer Steviva Ingredients is expanding its operations in Spain and the US.

Steviva Ingredients has opened the new Spanish plant in a bid to expand its reach in Europe, the United Arab Emirates and Africa.

Products being made at the facility include the firm’s monk fruit line, fortified agave nectar and plant protein sweetener modulator, thaumaten, which is a low-calorie sweetener and flavor modifier.

“The EMEA region is facing obesity issues in countries such as the UK and Germany, and at the same time, obesity in UAE is rising to a dangerous level — zero-calorie sweeteners have become a necessity,” says Steviva Ingredients CEO Thom King.

“With the onslaught of new business driven by the FDA label guidelines from major and mid-size manufacturers, we have been forced to increase our research and development capabilities tenfold and the production capacity of our clean-label sweetener systems by a multiple of four.”

It is understood the company is planning a move to Portland soon to boost its capacity where it will have an increased production area, office space and warehouse. In addition it will also have a laboratory and research and development kitchen created to support clean-label sugar reduction reformulation.