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PureCircle Limited
21 July 2010

PureCircle receives FDA GRAS "No Objection" for new SG95 stevia product

PureCircle (LSE: PURE), the world's leading producer of high purity stevia products, is pleased to announce that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a No Objection letter for the use of PureCircle's SG95 product as a Food and Beverage ingredient in the USA. This will enable PureCircle to offer a wider and more flexible array of stevia solutions, helping to further accelerate stevia adoption in the important USA market.

PureCircle's high purity SG95 product is a further example of the company's leadership in innovation. Along with seven previously approved steviol glycosides, SG95 includes two new steviol gylcosides, Rebaudioside D and Rebaudioside F, both of which are receiving GRAS No Objection for the first time. The new high purity sweetener delivers great taste and consistency as well as pricing well below sugar. The product is ideally suited for applications formulated with both sugar and SG95 to achieve a low cost solution to partial sugar and calorie reduction and provide further incentive to application development. Together with PureCircle's successful high purity Reb A 97, SG95 will provide customers with an expanded range of options to improve products across their portfolios. With GRAS affirmation, PureCircle is prepared for immediate commercialisation of SG95.

Magomet Malsagov, CEO and Managing Director of PureCircle, said: "The launch of SG95 is a very exciting development for PureCircle in the United States with considerable future potential in global markets. Expanded use of sweet glycosides from the stevia plant in a highly consistent blend provides both formulation and economic benefits to our customers. Our Reb A 97 continues to play a major role in our portfolio particularly as our investments yield continued efficiencies that will be shared with our customers. Now SG95 will provide an additional compelling product in many applications. We are proud to continue to be at the forefront of innovation to help mainstream a better sweet choice for consumers. "

For more information: PureCircle Limited (www.purecircle.com)
Jason Hecker, Group Marketing Director (847) 630-0374
Magomet Malsagov, CEO +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, CFO +44 7974 005 163

Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
Alan Frame alan@westportcomms.com
Jeanette Bishop

RFC Corporate Finance Ltd +61 8 9480 2500
Stephen Allen


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PureCircle Limited
25 June 2010

Global Stevia Institute announces key board members and advisors and launches website

PureCircle (LSE: PURE), the world's leading producer of stevia-based, all-natural, zero-calorie sweeteners, is pleased to announce that the Global Stevia Institute (GSI), a newly formed organisation committed to promoting accurate, credible and consistent information about the natural, no-calorie sweetener stevia, has launched its website, www.globalsteviainstitute.com, and announces the formation of its international scientific advisory board and expert panel.

The fact and science-based approach of the Institute will be instrumental in advancing the knowledge base of the industry, especially as use of stevia gains popularity worldwide and information about the plant-based ingredient becomes more widely available. This entity and approach is the first of its kind in the industry and will fuel online and offline educational opportunities in the year to come including webinars, events, continuing education and professional presentations.

The GSI board and expert panel represents a cross-functional group of nutritionists, medical doctors, and health educators to ensure that stevia information is disseminated in a way to best educate the public and industry. The distinguished members include:

Executive Director

Keith T. Ayoob, EdD, RD, is an internationally known nutritionist who has worked extensively in the area of obesity, heart health, child nutrition and family dynamics. He received his EdD from Columbia University.

Global Scientific Advisory Board

Jean-Michel Cohen, MD, PhD, a nutrition specialist in France and an award-winning and best-selling author on the subjects of nutrition and obesity. His books have been translated in more than 10 languages. Dr. Cohen received his PhD and MD from the University of Paris.

Mauro Fisberg, MD, PhD, specializes in adolescent nutrition, childhood obesity, food intake and consumption, anemia and nutritional intervention. He received his PhD in pediatrics from the Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo. 

Alan Rogol, MD, PhD holds the Vice President position with The Endocrine Society. He received his doctoral and medical degree from Duke University.

Marilyn Schorin, PhD, MPH, RD, FADA, is a registered dietitian with expertise in food, health and nutrition communications, and food laws and regulation. She received her PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from Columbia University and Masters in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Michigan.

Expert Panel

Robyn Webb, MS - Nutritionist, author, culinary instructor. She provides nutrition education for patients who have diabetes and serves as the associate editor of the award-winning Diabetes Forecast magazine. She received her Master of Science degree in Nutrition from Florida State University.

Anne-Marie Nichols - professional food blogger and owner of This MamaCooks.com. She currently serves as a Social Media Manager at Mom Central and is the Managing Editor of several of their blogs, including Mom Central Food. She received her journalism degree from San Diego State University.

Across the globe, obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases are becoming a top concern and a growing priority. As government and non-government organisations around the world are calling for a reduction of added sugars in the diet, stevia is poised to help bridge the gap between calorie reduction and great taste. Each GSI advisor and expert lends cross-functional expertise in nutrition, health and disease, food and beverage ingredients, regulatory policy, culinary arts and social media to advance the Institute's mission to promote accurate and consistent information about stevia.

GSI calls for consistent terminology

Dr. Keith T. Ayoob, Executive Director for the GSI, notes that, "One of our goals is to have consumers around the world recognise the word 'stevia' to mean natural, no calorie and sweet. The GSI will broaden the understanding of stevia, its origins, its safety and its applicability to food choices and sweetening options around the world."

As a first step in its education efforts and to avoid consumer confusion, the GSI is calling for consistent terminology when referring to the various sweeteners from the Stevia plant. In consumer communications, all sweet extracts should be referred to as stevia, rather than the numerous scientific names (such as rebaudioside, reb A, steviol glycosides). This call to action is highlighted in the GSI's first white paper, which is available on the new website. The white paper also discusses the role of stevia in the world of sweet.

Website will be ongoing resource for health professionals and consumers

The Global Stevia Institute website will be an educational destination for the industry and consumers alike, highlighting important facts on stevia, news and findings from recent published scientific articles, patient education materials, and events. As information about stevia evolves and emerges, health professionals can sign up for ongoing updates and alerts for continued education.

"Stevia couldn't be more relevant to today's global dietary needs," said Magomet Malsagov, CEO and Managing Director of PureCircle. "As the market leader, we made it a point to engage top-level expertise and thought leadership to help advance the global understanding and acceptance of stevia. It's critical that we do it right. The global webinar for health professionals hosted on June 24 is the first of many educational outreach efforts to come from the GSI. "

The GSI is sponsored by PureCircle, which announced its creation last month.

About Stevia

Stevia (stevia rebaudiana) is a plant native to Paraguay. The leaves from the plant have been safely used for hundreds of years in Paraguay and Brazil to naturally sweeten local teas, and as a "sweet treat". There are several related substances that can be derived from the stevia plant, with Rebaudioside A (Reb A), being one of the best tasting, and sweetest of all of them.

Stevia was first included in tabletop sweeteners and beverages, and has quickly made its way into other categories because of its ability to naturally reduce calories. According to the June Mintel GNPD Database, thirty- six countries across six continents have now launched a stevia-sweetened product. According to Mintel, 237 new products sweetened with stevia have been launched so far in 2010.

About PureCircle

The Global Stevia Institute is supported in full, by PureCircle, Limited. PureCircle is the global leader in the
production of high purity stevia products - its stevia-derived Reb A has helped customers eliminate half-trillion calories from American diets[i]. Stevia by PureCircle is the natural, no-calorie sweetening ingredient of choice by major companies and brands around the world.

PureCircle is a pioneer in the extraction of natural goodness from plants and a leading global producer of natural high-intensity sweeteners, including high-purity Rebaudioside-A (Reb A). The company has a vertically integrated supply chain operating in three continents. Activities range from breeding of proprietary stevia varieties, sourcing of dry stevia leaves and extraction, and purification of extracts into sweetening ingredients to the marketing of these ingredients to food and beverage manufacturers worldwide. For more information, visit www.globalsteviainstitute.com or www.purecircle.com.

[i] Based on product sales through the end of 2009.

For more information: PureCircle Limited (www.purecircle.com)
Jason Hecker, Group Marketing Director (847) 630-0374
Magomet Malsagov, CEO +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, CFO +44 7974 005 163

Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
Alan Frame alan@westportcomms.com
Jeanette Bishop

RFC Corporate Finance Ltd +61 8 9480 2500
Stephen Allen


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PureCircle Limited
26 May 2010

PureCircle launches the Global Stevia Institute

PureCircle (LSE: PURE), the world's leading producer of stevia-based, all-natural, zero-calorie sweeteners, is pleased to announce that it has created the Global Stevia Institute which will launch in June. The Institute will promote accurate, credible and consistent information and resources about stevia to health professionals, consumers and the food industry at a time when the momentum for stevia sweetened products continues to grow.

The Institute will have as its Executive Director Dr Keith-Thomas Ayoob, Ed.D., RD, FADA. Dr. Ayoob is a practicing paediatric nutrition specialist with more than 25 years of experience. He is also associate clinical professor of paediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. He will lead a team of scientific advisors from around the world to better educate the public about stevia, how it can fit into today's diet, and the current science behind the plant-based sweetener.

Magomet Malsagov, CEO of PureCircle, said:
 
"Dr. Ayoob is an ideal leader for the Global Stevia Institute. He is an internationally known educator on nutrition issues and we trust he will empower the Global Stevia Institute to reach people throughout the world with science-based stevia education and how it applies to today's consumers as they strive for better health and wellness".

Dr Ayoob added:
 
"The current intake of calories globally is not sustainable. Now more than ever, it is important to find tasty, calorie-free alternatives for sweetening foods and beverages to help those battling obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. This Institute will play an important role in educating health professionals, food and beverage manufacturers, public affairs leaders and, of course, the consumer about the benefits of incorporating a plant-based sweetener like stevia into their diets."

For more information

PureCircle Limited (www.purecircle.com)
Jason Hecker, Group Marketing Director (847) 630-0374
Magomet Malsagov, CEO +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, CFO +44 7974 005 163

Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
Alan Frame alan@westportcomms.com
Jeanette Bishop

RFC Corporate Finance Ltd +61 8 9480 2500
Stephen Allen


See also www.theglobalsteviainstitute.com or www.purecircle.com.

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

PureCircle is pleased to provide this update on the latest developments in the global stevia market.

Momentum for stevia sweetened products continues as new products roll out across a variety of markets and categories. In April 2010, 49 new stevia sweetened products launched globally. Ten countries contributed to the April launches with Japan and the Unites States representing the greatest activity.

With these new launches, the 2010 year-to-date total stands at 154 new stevia products. This represents a 47 per cent increase in launch activity compared to the same period in 2009.Specifically in the US, April is notable for the entry of retailer brand innovation to the stevia marketplace. Target Corporation, the second largest discount retailer in the US, became the first major retailer to include stevia in its Archer Farms brand. And momentum continues with launches by major beverage manufacturers, including Arizona Beverage Company, with a 25 calorie per serving enhanced water. Arizona Beverage Company is the largest manufacturer of
ready-to-drink teas in the US.

Additionally in April, positive announcements were made that could increase the pace of stevia innovation and broaden the market for stevia products. PureCircle Limited and Michigan State University (MSU), one of the world's premier horticultural research institutions, have signed an agreement for research and breeding of the stevia plant. The goal of the research is to accelerate the creation of proprietary varieties of stevia that contain
dramatically higher levels of sweetness in the leaf as well as other improved agricultural properties, resulting in improved economics for both farmers and our customers.

April also marked a positive step toward the opening up of the European Union. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a positive scientific opinion on the use of stevia as a sweetener. The opinion is considered a very positive step toward stevia approval in Europe in the near future.

"It is very encouraging to see the entry of new industry leaders and recent support for the opening of new markets. Based on PureCircle's April consumer study, nearly 25% of US adults indicate they have had a stevia sweetened food or beverage in the past six months. We are seeing these numbers increase as consumers are exposed to new innovation within and outside of North America." said Jason Hecker, Group Marketing Director of
PureCircle Limited.

For More Information

PureCircle Limited
Jason Hecker, Group Marketing Director (847) 630-0374
Magomet Malsagov, Managing Director +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, Finance Director +44 7974 005 163

Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
Alan Frame alan@westportcomms.com
Jeanette Bishop jeanette@westportcomms.com

RFC Corporate Finance Ltd +61 8 9480 2500
Stephen Allen

Stevia-based Product Successes Fuel New Launch Activity 

PureCircle is pleased to provide this update on the latest developments in the global stevia market.

Stevia-based product launches continue rapid expansion globally. Thirty-five countries across six continents have now launched a stevia-sweetened product. According to Mintel, in 2010, 102 new products sweetened with stevia have been launched, with 37 new products launched in March alone.

Japan remains the global leader in stevia product launches, with the United States, South Korea, and Brazil showing increased activity in the month of March. Key categories that have benefitted from the use of stevia this month include beverages, dairy, confectionery, and sauces.

The new "green" stevia table top category continues to grow share behind more than $70 million in media spending to date. Stevia has now surpassed both saccharin and aspartame in terms of dollar sales share and has partially contributed to the 2% decline in sucralose dollar sales compared to the same period in the prior year.

This continued momentum in the marketplace is underscored by the unparalleled successes achieved by initial products to hit the market.

Tropicana's Trop50 juice has "the highest repeat purchase after trial than we (PepsiCo) have ever experienced. Not just in juice but across all of our beverage (portfolio)," said Massimo d'Amore, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages America at its investor meeting held on March 23, 2010. To continue the momentum with Trop50, new flavors were launched to extend consumption occasions beyond breakfast, tapping into the afternoon and snack occasions, which have also proven to be successful.

SoBe Lifewater's launch of zero-calorie, naturally sweetened beverages is evidence of how line extensions can reinvent a leading brand. Recent Nielsen data indicates that its zero-calorie skus represent four out of the top five skus for the brand. As a result, this month, the brand introduced two new zero-calorie items to the portfolio - SoBe Lifewater B-Energy in Black Cherry Dragonfruit and Strawberry Apricot varieties.

With proven success in the juice and hydration category, PepsiCo has now announced the planned introduction of stevia into the market-leading Gatorade brand, with the formulation of Natural G2 for the U.S. market. Stevia-sweetened G2 is already enjoying initial success in Mexico.

Additionally in March, Kraft introduced a new line extension of its Crystal Light drink mix called Crystal Light Pure Fitness. The Pure Fitness line contains no artificial sweeteners. It consists of Strawberry Kiwi, Grape, and Lemon Lime varieties, each with just 15 calories per serving.

To add to the tea category, Starbucks has announced plans to launch a line of naturally sweetened, zero-calorie Tazo iced teas using stevia. The first three all-natural varieties will be available in April 2010. Already available in the iced tea category is Lipton 100% natural iced tea and green tea sweetened with stevia, which was launched in February by the Pepsi Lipton Tea partnership.

The momentum for stevia continues in the confectionery category as well. In the U.S. Ragold has re-introduced Velamints, which is now naturally sweetened with stevia. The company also plans to launch stevia-sweetened Velamints in other markets later this year.

In Switzerland, Villars Maîitre Chocolatier, a Swiss chocolate manufacturer with a philosophy of not using any artificial colors or flavors, launched a low-in-sugar, 70% cacao chocolate bar that is the first chocolate bar sweetened with stevia. And in France, Abbaye de Sept-fons, launched NutriChoco a chocolate grain-based product made for making hot chocolate or desserts that are naturally low in calories.

"We are very encouraged to see the expansion of stevia-sweetened products in 2010. The continued movement into more countries, broader categories, and bigger brands, with excellent business results, is a great sign that the mainstreaming of stevia is accelerating," said Jason Hecker, Group Marketing Director of PureCircle Limited. 

For more information:

PureCircle Limited
Jason Hecker, Marketing Director (847) 630-0374
Magomet Malsagov, Managing Director +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, Finance Director +44 7974 005 163

Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
 Alan Frame alan@westportcomms.com
Jeanette Bishop jeanette@westportcomms.com
 
RFC Corporate Finance Ltd +61 8 9480 2500
Stephen Allen 

 

Change of Significant Shareholding

PureCircle has been notified by its significant shareholder James Finlay International Holding Ltd that on 31 March 2010 it sold a total of 1,500,000 shares at £2.45 per share. As a result, James Finlay International is no longer has a significant shareholder in the Company.

1 April 2010

Enquiries:
 
PureCircle Limited (www.purecircle.com)
 Magomet Malsagov, CEO +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, CFO +44 7974 005 163

RFC Corporate Finance (NOMAD) +61 8 9480 2500
Steve Allen

Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
Alan Frame alan@westportcomms.com
Jeanette Bishop jeanette@westportcomms.com

Issue of New Shares in Respect of the Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and Exercise of Options by an Executive Director

Pure Circle issued two hundred thousand (200,000) new ordinary shares on 29 March 2010 to satisfy options exercisable under the terms of the Company's LTIP.
 
One hundred and fifty-five thousand and ninety five (155,095) of these shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of Options under the terms of the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan, all at an exercise price of $Nil per share. Within these one hundred and thirty thousand and ninety five (130,095) Options were exercised by an Executive Director, William Mitchell.

The balance of forty-four thousand nine hundred and five (44,905) new shares issued will be held as Treasury shares pending the exercise of further Options already granted under the LTIP.

Application has been made to AIM for the new shares to be admitted for trading.

Enquiries:

PureCircle Limited (www.purecircle.com)
Magomet Malsagov, CEO +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, CFO +44 7974 005 163

RFC Corporate Finance (NOMAD) +61 8 9480 2500
Steve Allen

Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
Alan Frame, alan@westportcomms.com
Jeanette Bishop, jeanette@westportcomms.com

Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 31 December 2009

PureCircle (www.purecircle.com), the world's leading producer of Natural High Intensity Sweeteners, including Reb A, today announces results for the six months ended 31 December 2009.

HIGHLIGHTS

· Stevia market adoption is accelerating: Mintel reports 200 new stevia sweetened product launches in 2009 and 60 already in the first two months of 2010.

- Stevia sweetened sales represent over 12 per cent of the total US table-top market, and are close to Aspartame and Saccharine levels, after just one year of regulatory clearance. 

- This momentum plus the growing use of stevia with sugar, continues to move stevia towards becoming a mainstream mass volume sweetener. 

- PureCircle's contracted customers represent a high proportion of the major companies who have launched new products across all regions.

- PureCircle, with the industry's only established mass volume supply chain, is well poised for increases in market sales velocity.

- Our business planning is based on a mass volume business model. We continue to invest in scaling our supply chain to support our industry leadership.

- Production capacity is more than 200 per cent larger than H1 FY 2009. Our actual H1 FY 2010 production of 230 tonnes of Reb A was double actual production in H1 FY 2009, but still represents less than 25 per cent of available capacity.

- Low capacity operations leave profits (gross and net) sensitive to volumes. The six months results should not in isolation be seen as indicative of long term trends.

- PureCircle has a strong balance sheet, further strengthened by a placing in November 2009 that raised $67m gross ($65m net).

- The Company is well capitalised to lead the strategic development of the industry.

- Our Natural Sweet Ventures joint venture with Imperial Sugar is one of several strategic opportunities that we see developing.

- Sales revenues in H1 FY 2010 increased 74 per cent versus H1 FY 2009. 

At 31 December 2009 the Group had: 

- Gross assets of $272m (31 December 2008 - $152m) 

- Gross cash of $80m (31 December 2008 - $27m) 

- Net debt of $20m (31 December 2008 - $31m)

Paul Selway-Swift, Chairman of PureCircle, commented:

"We are pleased to report a strong first half performance. With widespread regulatory clearances and many product launches across numerous categories and in many regions, we believe stevia is continuing to develop towards being a major global industry.

Our strategy remains one of being a leading player in this developing global industry that did not exist a few years ago. We continue to see strong interest from the largest Food & Beverage companies, but product launches on a mass scale require planning and executing over an extended period. So, our sales will remain volatile and it will take time for the true long term sales velocity of our unique products to become apparent.

Our business model is based on global mass volume supply. We have demonstrated that we can scale our supply chain and have robust plans in place to continue doing so.

This is an exciting time for PureCircle. As with all businesses, challenges remain, but we look forward to reporting on further progress".

ENQUIRIES

PureCircle Limited
Magomet Malsagov, Group CEO +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, Finance Director +44 7974 005 163

Alan Frame, Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690
Steve Allen, RFC Corporate Finance Ltd +61 4179 03115  

Notice of Interim Results

"PureCircle" or "the Company")

PureCircle (LSE: PURE), the world's leading producer of Natural High Intensity Sweeteners, including Reb A, announces that the presentation of its Interim Results will take place on Monday, 22 March at 9am at the City of London Club, 19 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1DS.

Enquiries:

PureCircle Limited (www.purecircle.com),
Magomet Malsagov, Group CEO +60 1 2388 8049
William Mitchell, Finance Director +44 7974 005 163
 
Alan Frame, Westport Communications +44 20 7065 2690

Steve Allen RFC Corporate Finance Ltd +61 4179 03115


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange