James (Jim) Kempland was one of the first attendees to share his reflections on the conference. Jim is the Vice President of Marketing at GLG Lifetech Corporation, and his report outlined what key industry experts had to say on the ‘past, present and future’ of stevia, and called for greater cooperation within the Stevia industry.

According to Jim, “From the panels to the hallway conversations, one thing was clear: stevia is headed for the mainstream, creating a whole new category of natural, no-calorie sweeteners, which will change the world’s eating and drinking habits.”

He added, “Stevia’s growth comes from the wide range of products that stevia can positively influence. The opportunity is to shift the way food and beverage manufacturers are looking at developing zero and low-calorie products for consumers. Stevia can be blended with sugar to lower calorie content in food and beverages, or it can replace artificial sweeteners.”

Besides Jim, we also heard from many other conference attendees, who shared their reviews and testimonials. Here’s a snapshot of what they are saying:

“This was a very informative conference on the life of this emerging raw material. It explained the product cycle literally from crop to cup.” ~ Sr Flavor Chemist, MANE

“I learned a lot, and I have much to do in the lab about applications to improve recipes with Stevia” ~ R&D Beverage Manager, Danone Group

“All phases of business covered in 2 days, gives you a good idea of who’s who in business” ~ President, Agriplus

“Very useful meeting with all relevant players of the industry, I learned in 2 days more than in months of isolated effort” ~ Director, Agrostevia

“Very good, would highly recommend to others” ~ Sr Manager Technical Services, Niutang Chemical

Stevia World Americas definitely set the bar high for Stevia World conferences, and the upcoming 2nd Stevia World Asia on 20-21 April in Shanghai, and the 2nd Stevia World Europe on 18-19 May 2010 in Geneva are all set to bring more value in terms of information and insights to all attendees.

Those seeking more information on 2nd Stevia World Asia and 2nd Stevia World Europe can click on the links below or email hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg to find out more.

Those who wish to read Jim’s article can do so at http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view/17865

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The size of the European common market (over 500 million) holds many opportunities once EU wide approval is given for Stevia, and major Stevia producers, as well as F&B companies are already planning products for this important market.

Will trends echo the US Beverage markets, where multinational beverage manufacturers have already launched new product lines sweetened with stevia sweeteners?

The expectation is high among the industry that Stevia Sweeteners will enjoy tremendous success in Europe due to growing health concerns over alternatives like Aspartame and Sugar. In addition to that, Europeans consumers are already aware of stevia with many waiting for a free market.

2nd Stevia World Europe is meeting in Geneva on 18-19 May 2009, to discuss the theme, “Potential Applications in Untapped Nutraceutical, Food & Beverage Markets”.  The location in Switzerland is a reflection of the industry’s hope for the EU to mirror the Swiss regulatory approval for stevia-based sweeteners! The conference is also meeting alongside a major Food Ingredients show in Geneva.

Participants at 2nd Stevia World Europe can look forward to expert insights on:

• European regulatory developments
• Supply availability in Europe and sourcing from South America
• Organic certifications and outlook for stevia
• Extraction technologies & quality control
• Formulation, Sensory optimisation technologies
• Applications in nutraceuticals, dairy, animal feed markets

Those seeking more information on participation in 2nd Stevia World Europe can submit their registrations to Ms. Hafizah Adam. Email her at hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg. Those keen on exploring sponsorships and media exchange agreements are also welcome to write in with their proposals.

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John Bhatt has a Chemical Engineering degree from Lehigh University with a MBA from the University of Delaware.  Currently, John is working on his PhD in International Economics from Delaware.

Novasep is a global company headquartered in Pompey, France.  Novasep develops, markets, and operates, innovative technologies providing safe and cost-effective production means for the active molecules of the Life Science Industries.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 2 – Friday, February 26
15:05  Extraction & Purification Technologies for High Purity Reb-A

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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From 2002 to 2009 he was first a Production manager and then the General Manager of Natural Response /Desert King, world leader in saponin production, which are natural emulsifiers.

In 2006, together with two partners, he formed Prodalysa in order to develop the first fully water extracted and purified steviol glycosides extracts approved as sweeteners by the FDA. Since 2007, Javier has worked together with Jim May of Wisdom Brands in order to bring the best natural sweeteners to the US Market.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 2 – Friday, February 26
14:35  Stevia Extraction – Mechanical Technology

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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He participated in the project that resulted in the construction of the first plant extracts of stevia in the West, the company Stevfarma. Between 1999 and 2004, he coordinated a multidisciplinary project which resulted in the selection of plants with high content of rebaudioside A , cultivation on a commercial scale of clonal line of Stevia, UEM-320, and process development of extraction and purification of the extracts stevia based methods of membrane separation and ion exchange. The technology developed in this project was transferred to the company that founded the project -  Stevmax Edulcorantes Naturais do Brasil.

Currently, he spends more time working with selection of stevia plants with high content of rebaudioside A, and he has great interest in the identification and separation of substances in stevia that may have nutritional and medicinal properties.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 2 – Friday, February 26
14:05  Selection of Stevia with High Content of Rebaudioside A in Brazil

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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Angus has a wide portfolio of commercial experience  including organic, fair trade, natural health, omega 3 and functional ingredients. His role at Wisdom natural brands, the world leader in stevia water extraction technology, has a particularly strategic focus to achieve rapid and sustainable growth.

Angus is passionate about fair trade initiatives for stevia farmers and their families and ensuring the stevia industry provides a sustainable and natural solution to the obesity and diabetes epidemics sweeping through Western diet countries. He is currently active in both the Americas and Europe to help to facilitate permanent and enlightened change.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 2 – Friday, February 26
14:00  Chairman’s Remarks

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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Throughout his career, he has helped businesses across the United States and internationally to accelerate growth through sound business strategies. Jason has held a number of senior positions in consulting and brand management with some of the world’s leading consumer packaged goods companies.

Prior to joining PureCircle, he managed brand portfolios with Kraft Foods, developing business strategies and driving new product development on such brands as DiGiorno and Tombstone Pizza, Kraft Cheese and Athenos Hummus.

Mr. Hecker earned his bachelor of science from the University of Michigan and MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 2 – Friday, February 26
09:00  Chairman’s Remarks

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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Before joining PureCircle, Sidd was with Tate & Lyle R&D, where he developed and marketed innovative ingredient technology, managed domestic and global technical projects on food ingredients and wellness platform.

He has broad knowledge of the structure-function of food ingredients, including sweeteners, acids, hydrocolloids, starch and starch-derivatives.

Dr. Purkayastha earned his doctorate in food engineering from the University of Massachusetts and MBA from the University of Illinois.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 1 – Thursday, February 25
11:30  Technical Aspects of Formulating with Stevia

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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He has managed marketing communications for portfolios of the largest brands in the beverage alcohol category, Brown-Forman, Constellation, Miller and Diageo. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Maryville University-St. Louis.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 1 – Thursday, February 25
09:15  Mainstreaming of Stevia – The Way Forward
14:15  Chairman’s Remarks

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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He holds a Master of Science in Management from Georgia State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clemson University, and is a graduate of the Yon Sei University Korean Language Institute in Seoul, Korea.

Stevia World Americas 2010 Atlanta Speaker
Day 1 – Thursday, February 25
12:30  Roundtable Discussion: Stevia Safety & Quality
Day 2 – Friday, February 26
11:45  Roundtable Discussion : Production Model

Stevia World Americas 2010 in Atlanta is a showcase of the who’s who in Stevia sector, including top stevia growers, refiners, traders, key stevia organisations, government officials, scientists and investors who will highlight Upcoming opportunities, Pinpoints Regulatory Challenges & Shares Market Updates.  To find more about Stevia World Americas in Atlanta on February 25 & 26, 2010, please visit http://www.steviaworldforum.com

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Webinar Recording: Stevia – Taking the Next Steps
Duration: 1 hour

Held in conjunction with Stevia World Americas, a 1 hour webinar, “Stevia-Taking the Next Steps” was held on 17 Feb 2010.

During the webinar, GLG Life Tech Corporation’s David Bishop, EVP of International Affairs and James Kempland, VP of Marketing pinpointed 6 key areas that the sector needs to look into, to meet growing global demand, as well as taste, quality and cost challenges.

David Bishop and James Kempland also participated in a lively discussion that covered the history of the Stevia industry, parallel events that are supporting current demand, and GLG’s plans for future expansion. Their structured presentation also covered Breeding High-Reb A content Stevia, Increasing Stevia Sweetener production capacity, ensuring consistent quality and taste, Formulation and technical support issues, marketing & new product development and more.

There was also a 25-minute question and answer session, where David & James answered pre-submitted questions on sourcing, flavor masking, and even product positioning concerns.

Stevia Experts David Bishop & James Kempland…

David Bishop & James Kempland are right at the heart of the Steviarevolution, which is stirring up a wave of change in the food & beverage industry with its ‘all natural’ and zero calorie profile.

DAVID BISHOP – EVP International Affairs, GLG Life Tech Corp: David Bishop has more than 25 years of experience in international business including organizational, educational, and managerial responsibilities. He has lived and worked as an expatriate in a cross cultural/cross linguistic environment for more than 15 years and has completed assignments in over 40 countries.

Mr. Bishop is currently the chairperson of Qingdao Runde Biotechnology Co., Ltd. a stevia production facility that GLG acquired on December 18, 2006.  He has played an intricate role in the company’s ramp up of its industrial capacity for three years in China and is now back in the United States as the market continues to develop in the West. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Georgia State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clemson University, and is a graduate of the Yon Sei University Korean Language Institute in Seoul, Korea.

JAMES KEMPLAND – VP Marketing, GLG Life Tech Corp: James Kempland leads the strategic marketing division for GLG. He brings a diversity of experience in high intensity sweeteners, agriculture and supply as well as marketing for consumer package goods. He has worked for and with firms such as Monsanto, NutraSweet, Kraft, Proctor & Gamble and other leading multinationals within the food and beverage industry.

He has managed marketing communications for portfolios of the largest brands in the beverage alcohol category, Brown-Forman, Constellation, Miller and Diageo. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Maryville University-St. Louis.

Couldn’t tune in live on 17 Feb? Want to listen again? Simply provide your details in the form below … and we’ll email you the webinar replay immediately.

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“One year on, PureCircle says, “stevia becoming mainstream”

OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS – January 27, 2010 –It’s been a little more than a year since the zero-calorie, all-natural sweetener, Reb A attained GRAS status in the U.S. for use in food and beverages. Regulation of stevia in the U.S. and other parts of the world ignited a strong interest in the natural sweetener from both manufacturers and consumers during the past year.  Not surprisingly, the first products with stevia to market were tabletop sweeteners and beverages. But because of its naturally broad appeal, stevia is now making its way into other categories as well.

“The interest we’ve experienced across food and beverage categories continues to reinforce that stevia is on its way toward becoming a mainstream ingredient,” commented Jason Hecker, director of marketing, PureCircle USA. “In the past year, we’ve partnered with companies to deliver great-tasting products across global markets in diverse categories from beverage to dairy.  All these new products continue to drive stevia into the mainstream.  Reinforcing this, we have proprietary research conducted earlier this month that indicates nearly half of all women in America are aware of stevia. This is a significant increase from eight months ago when we conducted our initial study.”

Research presented during PureCircle’s global Webinar in May from a mom-focused study indicated that just five months after GRAS status was achieved for stevia-derived Reb A, one in three moms were aware of stevia. (To view the Webinar, go to www.purecircle.com)

“We’ve seen clearly that acceptance has been not only as a zero-calorie solution, but also as a wonderful way to reduce calories in the ‘full-calorie’ products consumers’ love,” says Hecker.  “And we are especially excited to see the recent move into products outside of beverage and tabletop.” Here’s a brief review of some of the latest stevia-sweetened products to debut globally over the past six months:

White Wave Foods, a subsidiary of Dean Foods, introduced Silk® Chocolate Light soymilk, offering consumers a naturally-sweetened, lower calorie option with only 90 calories per serving. Another product that came onto the market as a lower-calorie version of a higher-calorie favorite was Trop 50 orange juice drinks. It quickly became a $100 million brand and recently added two new varieties—Pomegranate Blueberry and Pineapple Mango.

Zero-Calorie Sobe Lifewater also got a very positive response from consumers, so the line was extended with two additional flavors: Strawberry Dragonfruit & Cherimoya Punch. Further PepsiCo launches include Aquafina Plus Vitamins 10 Calin Canada—the nation’s first low-calorie vitamin-enhanced water to feature a pure stevia extract, all-natural sweetener—and the low-cal, hydrating beverage G2 from Gatorade, which debuted in Mexico in three 100% naturally sweetened flavors.

Other notable international flavored water launches came from Group Danone and Frucor. Group Danone’s Bonafont recently rolled out a stevia-sweetened version of its Levite brand flavored water into Latin America. And Frucor introduced New Zealand’s first low-calorie, vitamin-enhanced beverage, featuring a stevia-derived sweetener.

Beyond beverages, Nestle rolled out Yoco Yogurt and Bliss Drinkable Yogurt in Malaysia. Both of these dairy products are naturally sweetened with zero-calorie, stevia.  In New Zealand, Goodman Fielder’s Meadow Fresh Lite Yoghurt was reformulated to replace the sucralose in it with naturally-derived Reb A from stevia.  It’s now being promoted as ‘naturally sweetened.’

Shortly after France gave regulatory approval to Reb A last September, Whole Earth Sweetener Co. announced plans to introduce its all-natural, zero-calorie, tabletop sweetener, PureVia™ into the market. The PureVia tabletop product was also recently launched into Mexico and Australia.

The introduction of all of these products is indicative of the global interest in and desire for a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that tastes great.  Stevia-derived Reb A is meeting that desire.

About high-purity Reb A:

High-purity Reb A is the world’s first all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener derived from the Stevia Rebaudiana plant.  For more on Reb A visit www.reb-a.com

About PureCircle:

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 refining of crude extracts into sweeteners to the marketing of these sweeteners to food and beverage manufacturers worldwide. PureCircle is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market with the ticker symbol: LSE.PURE. For more information, visit www.purecircle.com

For More Information:
Kitty Kevin
815.398.6860
kkevin@quietlightcom.com

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This conference has attracted a good mix of industry players and end-users,  please see pie-chart below for the detailed breakdown:

Do join us at Stevia World Americas and be part of the revolution. You can register now at <<CLICK HERE>>. Hope to see you on 25-26 February in Atlanta!

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Held in conjunction with Stevia World Americas that meets on 25 & 26 February in Atlanta, Georgia, this one-hour Webinar features insights from GLG Life Tech Corporation’s David Bishop, EVP of International Affairs and James Kempland, VP of Marketing

At the webinar, David Bishop and James Kempland will discuss how far the Stevia Industry has come, and what needs to be done next in terms of meeting taste, quality and cost challenges, as well as ramping up production to meet growing global demand.

More on Stevia Experts David Bishop & James Kempland…

DAVID BISHOP- EVP International Affairs, GLG Life Tech Corp: David Bishop has more than 25 years of experience in international business including organizational, educational, and managerial responsibilities. He has lived and worked as an expatriate in a cross cultural/cross linguistic environment for more than 15 years and has completed assignments in over 40 countries.

Mr. Bishop is currently the chairman of Qingdao Runde Biotechnology Co., Ltd. a stevia production facility that GLG acquired on December 18, 2006.  He has played an intricate role in the company’s ramp up of its industrial capacity for three years in China and is now back in the United States as the market continues to develop in the West. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Georgia State University, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clemson University, and is a graduate of the Yon Sei University Korean Language Institute in Seoul, Korea.

JAMES KEMPLAND- VP Marketing, GLG Life Tech Corp: James Kempland leads the strategic marketing division for GLG. He brings a diversity of experience in high intensity sweeteners, agriculture and supply as well as marketing for consumer package goods. He has worked for and with firms such as Monsanto, NutraSweet, Kraft, Proctor & Gamble and other leading multinationals within the food and beverage industry.

He has managed marketing communications for portfolios of the largest brands in the beverage alcohol category, Brown-Forman, Constellation, Miller and Diageo. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Maryville University-St. Louis.

Have a Question on the Stevia market and applications?
Register Early to ensure your questions are answered.

David Bishop & James Kempland are right at the heart of the Stevia revolution, which is stirring up a wave of change in the food & beverage industry with its ‘all natural’ and zero calorie profile.

Just fill in the form below and hit submit, for more information on how you can register for the webinar and submit your question for the webinar’s Q&A session.

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CMT is proud to welcome GLG as PLATINUM SPONSOR for SteviaWorld Americas on 25-26 February 2010 in Atlanta!

About GLG Life Tech Corporation

GLG Life Tech Corporation is a global leader in the supply of high purity stevia, an all natural, zero-calorie sweetener used in food and beverages. The Company’s vertically integrated operations cover each step in the stevia supply chain including non-GMO stevia seed breeding, natural propagation, exclusive stevia leaf growth and harvest areas, proprietary extraction and refining technique, marketing and distribution of finished product. GLG’s advanced technology and innovation in extraction make it one of the world’s leading producers of high purity stevia extracts.

Offering a number of stevia based sweetening systems, GLG’s premier, high quality Rebaudioside A product line includes RebpureTM RA97, RebsweetTM RA80 and AnysweetTM RA60. GLG has also recently launched its newest product line Sweet Success (SM), which provides food and beverage manufacturers greater flexibility in formulating with high purity stevia sweeteners while still maintaining a smooth, clean, sucrose-like taste profile. In addition, GLG also has capabilities to formulate and granulate any of its stevia extracts to provide a tabletop ready consumer product.

With ample capacity to meet demand, GLG stevia leaf processing capabilities include 41,000 metric tons of raw stevia leaf and annual production of 3,000 metric tons of high quality stevia extract. Facilities are GMP and ISO9001:2000 and meet the strictest quality and safety requirements. GLG is unique in that the stevia leaf processed and used in production is the company’s own special strain, rich in Rebaudioside A and reaching a much higher level of quality and taste in the raw leaf than that of common market leaf. GLG’s patented stevia strains enable the company to produce great tasting stevia extracts more efficiently and with a secure leaf supply.

From seed to shelf, GLG utilizes its technology, innovation and focus on customizable solutions to provide great tasting stevia sweetening systems to companies around the globe.

The Company’s headquarters are located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

NASDAQ: GLGL
TSX:GLG

Click below for more GLG news / press releases:

>>GLG LIFE TECH CORPORATION ANNOUNCES NEW SWEET SUCCESS^SM LINE OF STEVIA PRODUCTS

>>GLG LIFE TECH CORPORATION COMPLETES CONSTRUCTION ON NEW REBPURE^TM RA97 REFINING FACILITY

>>GLG LIFE TECH CORPORATION ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL HARVEST OF PROPRIETARY SEED; EXPECTED TO RESULT IN AN ESTIMATED 40,000 METRIC TONS OF STEVIA LEAF IN 2010

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