Stevia One

About Stevia One

Stevia One, established in Peru in 2009 by founders David Clifton and Raul Urbina, carved a niche as a vertically integrated producer of natural, non-caloric sweeteners derived from the stevia plant. The company managed the entire production chain, from cultivating stevia on its own plantations to processing the leaves into high-purity, powdered sugar alternatives. This integrated model ensured a scalable and reliable supply chain. The firm's primary market consisted of the food and beverage industry, offering solutions for companies aiming to reduce sugar and calorie content in their products while maintaining taste and controlling costs.

The company's core product was a high-purity stevia extract, developed through extensive research into plant varieties and taste profiles. A key differentiator for Stevia One was its proprietary water-based extraction and purification process, which avoided the use of chemical solvents. This chromatographic method resulted in a cleaner final product and taste profile, positioning it as a premium offering in the natural sweetener market. Further enhancing its commitment to sustainability, Stevia One was the first to achieve Rainforest Alliance certification for its stevia products, signifying adherence to stringent environmental, social, and economic standards. The company's extraction facility was strategically located in Paita, Peru, a major port, facilitating global distribution.

In a significant market development, Stevia One was acquired in early 2021. The LinkedIn profile for Paita Ingredients, a name associated with Stevia One's operations, indicates it joined Manus in 2022 to become part of its integrated biomanufacturing supply chain. Manus, a US-based company, specializes in producing bio-alternative ingredients through advanced fermentation and bioconversion technologies. This acquisition integrated Stevia One's agricultural and extraction expertise in Peru with Manus's large-scale bioconversion facility in Augusta, Georgia, creating a secure, end-to-end supply chain entirely within the Americas for producing high-demand stevia molecules like Reb M.