Sorbitol Industry Overview

The global sorbitol market size was valued at USD 1.66 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2023 to 2030. The market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to the rising usage of diabetic and dietetic food and beverages. The growing product demand as a substitute for sugar in consumer food products is also expected to drive demand for the product over the next few years. Sorbitol is also increasingly being used in oral care products as it is metabolized at a slower rate as compared to other sugar alcohols, preventing dental problems such as cavities and tooth decay. The benefits of the same are expected to propel industry growth over the forecast period. Additionally, the trend of shifting production capacities to the Asia Pacific due to low production and labor costs has resulted in low costs for sorbitol, therefore causing rising demand for non-food applications.

The major driver for the market is the growing demand from the food and beverage industry for nutritive sweeteners. Approval from safety regulatory and human health bodies such as the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the use of the product in medicines and bakery foods is expected to further drive the market in the U.S. In addition, sorbitol also finds application as a humectant in pharmaceutical products, thereby fueling the growth of the product in the country due to the presence of one of the biggest pharmaceutical industries. As a result, the demand for sorbitol is also anticipated to increase over the forecast period.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Sorbitol Market

Detailed Segmentation:

Product Insights

Liquid segment dominated the market with a revenue share of more than 76% in 2022.Liquid sorbitol is majorly used as a substitute for sugar in the pharmaceutical and food and beverage industries. The growing demand for low-calorie food caused by the growing number of health-conscious consumers as well as patients with obesity across the globe is expected to fuel the use of the product in these industries.

Crystal sorbitol is widely utilized as a food additive for producing frozen raw fish, shrimp balls, roasted fish fillets, dried squid thread, polydextrose (soluble dietary fiber), chewing gum, and mint tablets. It is also used in several other frozen aquatic products as well as sugar-free foodstuffs. The growing demand for application products, primarily in meat products and frozen foods, is expected to promote market growth over the forecast period.

Application Insights

Diabetic Diabetic Food Beverage application dominated the market with a revenue share of over 35% in 2022.The increasing global consumption of functional foods as well as economies of scale has resulted in low manufacturing costs for the major manufacturers while creating new opportunities for the growth of sorbitol in the future. However, a gradual increase in the demand for sweeteners, such as maltitol and xylitol, is expected to pose a threat to the market as they can be substituted with sorbitol.

Sorbitol finds application in surfactants as detergents, dispersants, emulsifiers, and wetting and foaming agents. Biobased surfactants are witnessing increased utilization in the food processing industry. The surfactant acts as a stabilizing agent for a variety of food products, such as bread, ice cream, and cakes. Additionally, the surfactants help in maintaining the viscosity and texture of the food products and extending shelf life. As a result, the growth of the food processing industry is expected to drive the demand for biobased surfactant products over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

Food dominated the end-use market with a revenue share of over 35% in 2022.Sorbitol is generally added to food items to induce the sweetness and replace the need for refined sugar. In addition to providing sweetness, sorbitol also acts as an excellent texturizing and anti-crystallization agent in the production of ice cream and bakery products. It is widely used to increase shelf life and maintain the freshness and color of various confectionery and bakery products. Furthermore, it finds application in the production of canned fruit. The food segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period, tracing the growth of the food and beverages industry, as applications for the product are expanding in the industry.

Rising awareness regarding dietary supplements owing to their nutritional benefits is expected to have a positive impact on market growth in the near future. In addition, rising concern over low-calorie and sugar-free products on account of the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the world is expected to be a favorable factor for the growth of the market in the near future.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific region dominated the global sorbitol market with a revenue share of more than 56% in 2022. Increasing health-conscious consumers, coupled with a rise in the number of consumer markets growing at a high pace, is driving the market for sorbitol in the region as it is used widely in various applications, including chocolates, baked goods, and confectionery.

The changing lifestyles of the general public and urbanization in developing countries have further fueled the demand for the product as the end-users are increasingly adopting the product to fulfill the demand of the consumers. Sorbitol is extensively used for non-food applications in the Asia Pacific, for instance, Japan has been a major importer of the product for the oral care industry.

Browse through Grand View Research's Category Food Additives Nutricosmetics Industry Research Reports.

• The global cresol market size was valued at USD 731.6 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2024 to 2030. 
• The global specialty ingredients marketsize was valued at USD 142.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2024 to 2030. 

Key Sorbitol Companies:

Witnessing the growing demand for non-GMO ingredients in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the production quantity of sorbitol obtained from non-GMO crops.

 Some prominent players in the global sorbitol market include:

• American International Foods, Inc.
• ADM
• Cargill Incorporated
• DuPont
• Gulshan Polyols Ltd.
• Merck KGaA
• Ecogreen Oleochemicals GmbH
• Qinhuangdao Lihua Starch Co., Ltd.
• Roquette Frères
• SPI Pharma
• Tereos
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Kasyap Sweeteners, Ltd.

Sorbitol Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global sorbitol market report based on product, application, end-use, and region:

Sorbitol Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Kilotons, 2018 - 2030)

• Liquid
• Crystal

Sorbitol Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Kilotons, 2018 - 2030)

• Oral Care
• Vitamin C
• Diabetic Dietetic Food Beverages
• Surfactant
• Others

Sorbitol End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Kilotons, 2018 - 2030)

• Personal Care
• Chemical
• Food
• Pharmaceutical
• Others

Sorbitol Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Kilotons, 2018 - 2030)

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • K.
  • France
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Thailand
• Central South America
  • Brazil
• Middle East Africa
  • Saudi Arabia

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