Tate & Lyle and BioHarvest Sciences have shown that BioHarvest’s Botanical Synthesis platform can produce the targeted next-generation sweetening solution at the heart of their joint development programme, a milestone that both companies describe as continued positive progress

Proof of capability

The milestone, that both companies describe as continued positive progress, confirms that the Botanical Synthesis platform is capable of producing the sweetener the two companies set out to develop.

Both companies say they are encouraged by the results achieved to date. Development activities continue to advance in line with expectations, which the companies say provides further evidence of the platform’s promise and its potential to support innovative approaches to ingredient development.

The milestone builds on the expanded collaboration the pair announced in May 2026.

A wider sweetening toolbox

The programme responds to a familiar pressure on manufacturers. Food and beverage producers continue to seek a broader range of sweetening solutions that can support sugar and calorie reduction while delivering the taste and functionality consumers expect. New approaches to ingredient development could expand the tools available as they respond to different formulation needs across categories.

Susanna Palatucci, vice president, commercial innovation and strategy at Tate & Lyle, framed the work in those terms: “Different food and beverage categories demand different balances of taste, nutrition, cost and labelling, which is why building a broader toolbox of solutions matters. This milestone further bolsters the potential of BioHarvest’s Botanical Synthesis platform and the role new approaches to ingredient development could play in helping us meet those varied customer needs across our portfolio.”

Growing ingredients differently

BioHarvest positions Botanical Synthesis™ as an innovative approach to ingredient development and production. The companies say it has the potential to support more sustainable access to valuable plant-derived ingredients by reducing dependence on traditional agricultural production methods. The approach could also improve consistency and supply reliability, while reducing some of the time, labour and natural resources required to produce certain ingredients.

Palatucci pointed to the same attributes: “What makes technologies like this particularly interesting is their potential to open up new ways of accessing valuable ingredients, while also considering consistency, supply reliability and the responsible use of natural resources. We’re encouraged by the progress of the programme and what it could add to our science-led approach to sweetener innovation.”

Beyond a single programme

Dr Zaki Rakib, chief executive officer and executive chairman of BioHarvest Sciences, said the partnership’s value extends past one development project: “The value of this collaboration goes beyond a single development programme. It is about exploring how Botanical Synthesis™ can open up new approaches to ingredient innovation, particularly where traditional production methods can be complex or resource-intensive.”

He added that pairing the platform with Tate & Lyle’s expertise is sharpening the picture of where it can contribute: “Working with Tate & Lyle brings together our platform with deep expertise in sweetening, formulation and customer needs. That combination is helping us build a clearer picture of where Botanical Synthesis™ can make a meaningful contribution to the future of sweetener development.”