California-based Stevia First Corp has established a subsidiary, SF Pure, as part of its plans for commercialization of its products and for California production of stevia leaf and stevia extract.
The new subsidiary will also build North American stevia extraction and refining facilities.
SF Pure has agreed to obtain exclusive rights outside of China to use technology developed by Chinese firm Qualipride International and currently installed at multiple stevia extraction and purification facilities located within the country.
The subsidiary also agreed to substantially take over the stevia sales and distribution business of Qualipride which has been in business for over 15 years.
Qualipride president Yuejin Dong said, "Stevia First's work to date demonstrates they have all the elements to capitalize on Stevia's rapid global success, and can support bringing the crop to California, building local extraction and purification facilities, opening new sales and distribution channels, and additionally bring biotech expertise that could drive the future of the industry."
