FoodTech start-up Better Juice Ltd. sealed its first commercial deal to bring reduced-sugar juices one step closer to supermarket beverage aisles. It was granted a patent for its sugar-reduction enzymatic process in Europe. In its first commercial venture, the start-up is working with long-term collaborator GEA Group, AG, Germany, a leader in process engineering for the beverage sector. The two companies joined forces in a strategic move to scale up and promote the sugar-reduction technology throughout the global beverage market. Better Juice’s patented enzymatic technology uses all-natural ingredients to convert fructose, glucose and sucrose sugars into prebiotic and other non-digestible fibers. It boasts capabilities to reduce sugar loads in freshly squeezed, pasteurized or concentrated juice by up to 80%, while preserving the full complement of vitamins and other nutrients inherent in the fruit. Under the new venture, GEA will design, manufacture and install the bioreactor that reduces sugars, and offer follow-up technical support, while Better Juice will produce the microorganisms for the enzymatic process. The first commercial order from a fruit drinks manufacturer is scheduled to arrive in supermarkets this spring.

Better Juice Ltd., 4 Pekeris St., Rehovot, Israel; eran@better-juice.com; +011/972-55-222-5876; www.better-juice.com.