Tate & Lyle, in collaboration with bio-alternatives leader Manus, has launched Yume, a groundbreaking sweetener brand set to redefine the market for high-performance, traceable sugar alternatives in the food and beverage sector. This marks the inaugural commercial endeavour of “The Sweetener Alliance,” a strategic collaboration formed by the two entities last year.
The flagship product, Yume M Stevia Sweetener, is a premium Reb M solution sourced from stevia, engineered to deliver a sugar-like taste without the common bitter aftertaste of early plant-based sweeteners. Crucially, Yume M is manufactured at Manus’ BioFacility in Augusta, Georgia, the sole large-scale stevia bio-conversion facility in the United States.
By integrating an “all-Americas” supply chain, Tate & Lyle and Manus aim to tackle significant industry challenges: ensuring end-to-end traceability and enhancing supply security by minimising dependence on international logistics and fluctuating global markets. The Yume brand, derived from the Japanese word for “dream,” caters to manufacturers seeking a balance between cost-effectiveness and high-intensity sweetness. Distinct from conventional stevia extracts, Yume M utilises Manus’ advanced bio-manufacturing technology to commercially harness the sweetest components of the stevia leaf, Reb M.
Nick Hampton, CEO of Tate & Lyle, stated, “Our partnership accelerates the growth of ingredients that meet society’s evolving nutrition needs and industry’s growing need for security of supply. Yume M Stevia gives our customers expanded access to innovative, cost-competitive sugar-reduction solutions.”
Designed to be “approachable, not technical,” the brand aims to assist R&D teams in bridging the gap between “natural” claims and “premium” sensory experiences. Per Tate & Lyle, the sweetener is crafted for consistent performance across diverse food and beverage categories, ensuring it withstands the demands of contemporary production while maintaining a clean label.
Ajikumar “Aji” Parayil, founder and CEO of Manus, added, “With Yume sweeteners, we are translating next-generation industrial biotechnology into commercially scalable solutions. We are bringing cost-competitive, scalable products to consumer brands looking to reduce sugar without compromising taste.”
Yume’s introduction is poised to set new standards in the sweetener market, addressing both the technical and supply chain complexities that have long challenged the industry.
