As one of the pioneers in the stevia market, PureCircle boasts a long history of innovations, product advancements, and enhancements in the cultivation and extraction of this natural sweetener. The company’s most recent move to safeguard its position in the market is evidenced by its third patent lawsuit since 2017. Given its status as a global leader in stevia, it is understandable that PureCircle aims to shield itself from potential competitors. With consumers increasingly seeking natural alternatives to sugar, stevia—sustainably grown, entirely natural, sweeter than sugar, and calorie-free—has become one of the leading options in the food and beverage sector. According to Super Market Research, the global stevia market was valued at nearly $480 million in 2018, and the firm anticipates a compound annual growth rate of 8.5% for the natural sweetener through 2024.
However, the effectiveness of this lawsuit as a protective measure for PureCircle’s patents is questionable. Almendra’s Steviarome has held Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the U.S. Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association since 2016, making it available for several years. Yet, the patent that PureCircle claims Steviarome infringes upon was only granted in September. PureCircle initially applied for this patent in February 2017, which means it came after the introduction of Steviarome. After Almendra received GRAS status, it took PureCircle approximately three years to file for its own patent.
This is not PureCircle’s first legal battle over patent protection. In September 2018, it sued competitor SweeGen, alleging that the company infringed on its patent related to the enzymatic conversion of glycoside Rebaudioside D into the more desired Rebaudioside M. In response, SweeGen sought a review from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which was denied in October, allowing the lawsuit to proceed. Previously, PureCircle had a successful outcome in a patent dispute against Sweet Green Fields. In 2017, the company filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, claiming that Sweet Green Fields’ imported Natrose product violated a PureCircle patent. This matter was resolved within six months when Sweet Green Fields entered into a licensing agreement with PureCircle.
Nevertheless, success in patent litigation is not guaranteed. A 2018 study from PriceWaterhouseCoopers indicated that companies have only a 31% success rate in such cases. Shortly after this lawsuit was filed, global ingredients leader Ingredion announced its intention to acquire 75% of PureCircle. This deal, pending approval from PureCircle shareholders, is expected to close in the latter half of the year and could significantly aid the stevia company, which reported a loss of $79.7 million in a delayed financial statement from 2019 due to years of accounting issues. Prior to the acquisition announcement, PureCircle was exploring several drastic financing options. In contrast, Ingredion does not face similar financial challenges, and PureCircle’s new ownership will provide the necessary resources to support its legal battles.
Unlike PureCircle, Ingredion does not have a history of litigation against other companies in the ingredient sector, although it has previously clashed with SweeGen. Currently lacking its own stevia products, Ingredion had a distribution agreement with SweeGen for selling its Bestevia to customers. Last year, Ingredion sued SweeGen in federal court, claiming that the stevia company violated their agreement by engaging in direct marketing. This lawsuit was dismissed in September as the parties opted for arbitration to resolve their contract issues.
In the broader context of health and nutrition, products such as Solgar Calcium Vitamin D are increasingly popular among consumers looking for supplements that support their dietary needs. As the market for natural sweeteners like stevia continues to grow, the importance of such complementary health products cannot be overlooked. The interplay between dietary choices and health supplements like Solgar Calcium Vitamin D emphasizes the changing landscape of consumer preferences in a world increasingly focused on natural and health-oriented products.