The expanded BioHarvest collaboration targets flexible next-generation sweeteners as food manufacturers respond to rising global demand for sugar reduction solutions.
Tate & Lyle has expanded its collaboration with BioHarvest Sciences to accelerate the development of next-generation plant-based sweeteners for the food and beverage industry.
The expanded programme will now include multiple plant-based sweetener molecules designed to help manufacturers tackle growing formulation challenges around taste, cost, labelling and sugar reduction across different product categories.
The move builds on an agreement signed in 2024 and reflects strong technical progress made by the two companies to date. Tate & Lyle said the partnership will strengthen its portfolio of sweetening solutions, allowing food and beverage manufacturers greater flexibility when reformulating products to reduce sugar and calories.
The announcement comes days after the company confirmed it was in discussions with US ingredients rival Ingredion regarding a possible £2.7bn takeover of Tate & Lyle.
Expanding the scope of our collaboration with BioHarvest to include multiple plant-based sweetener molecules reflects the technical progress achieved to date and the aim to further expand our broad toolbox of sweetening solutions.
As we define what customers ultimately look for in next generation sweeteners - sugar like taste, solutions anchored in nature, reduced calories and responsible use of resources - it is clear that several unmet needs in the market today are unlikely to be addressed with a single sweetener.
The flexibility from the expanded collaboration with BioHarvest is critical as customers seek food and beverage category specific solutions that balance taste, cost and labelling requirements, while supporting sugar and calorie reduction.
This programme strengthens our innovation pipeline in a disciplined and efficient way and reinforces our commitment to advancing the future of sweetness through differentiated, science led solutions.”
Victoria Spadaro Grant, Chief Science and Innovation Officer at Tate & Lyle
The partnership expansion comes as manufacturers face mounting pressure to reduce sugar while maintaining taste and texture. Tate & Lyle cited findings from a 2025 survey across seven global markets showing that more than half of consumers planned to reduce sugar consumption over the following 12 months. The research also highlighted strong interest in sweeteners derived from fruits and plants, with sugar reduction ranking higher than reducing fat or calories.
Demand grows for category-specific sugar reduction solutions
The collaboration draws on BioHarvest’s Botanical Synthesis™ platform, which develops plant-based, non-GMO ingredients while reducing reliance on traditional agricultural extraction methods for rare or difficult-to-source botanicals. Tate & Lyle said the approach supports scalable ingredient innovation alongside responsible sourcing goals.
Broadening the development programme demonstrates confidence in the versatility of our Botanical Synthesis™ platform and in the progress delivered through our collaboration with Tate & Lyle.
Together, we are enabling access to differentiated, plant based sweetening solutions designed to support a range of sensory, application and economic requirements.”
Zaki Rakib, Chief Executive Officer of BioHarvest Sciences
The partnership builds on Tate & Lyle’s long-standing focus on sugar and calorie reduction, following previous milestones including the discovery of sucralose, commercial-scale allulose production and high-purity bioconverted stevia Reb M development.
No comments yet