Sorbitol Market Overview
The Sorbitol market size is estimated to reach US$2.3 billion by 2027, after growing at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Sorbitol, also called D-sorbitol and D-glucitol, is a carbohydrate that is commonly referred to as polyols or sugar alcohols. It is widely used as a sweetener, additive, humectant, texturizer, stabilizer and bulking agent in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and other industries. Growing product demand as a sugar substitute in consumer food products is expected to drive demand for sorbitol during the forecast period. The sorbitol market is expected to expand significantly during the forecast period, owing to the rising consumption of nutritional and diabetic foods and beverages. According to International Trade and Administration, the Indian nutraceuticals market is expected to reach US$18 billion by the end of 2025.
Sorbitol Report Coverage
The “Sorbitol Report – Forecast (2022-2027)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the sorbitol industry.
Key takeaways
- Asia-Pacific dominates the Sorbitol market size. The increase in demand from end-user sectors, such as food & beverages, personal care & cosmetics and others, is the main factor driving the region's growth.
- One of the primary factors contributing to the Sorbitol market's favorable outlook is significant growth in the building & construction sector around the globe.
- The primary factor driving the Sorbitol industry is the rise in awareness of the detrimental effects of artificial and processed sugar on health.
- However, the market's expansion is projected to be hampered by substitutional threats from other sweeteners and shortages of commodities.
Figure: Sorbitol Market Revenue Share by Geography, 2021 (%)
Sorbitol Market Segment Analysis – by Form
The Liquid-based segment held a significant share in the Sorbitol market in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Liquid sorbitol is a carbohydrate that has the ability to bind water molecules and stabilize the mass in a variety of personal care products, cosmetics, foods and beverages. Moreover, the food and beverage industries frequently use liquid sorbitol as a key ingredient. Sorbitol is an organic food additive that is ideal for diabetic fruit jams and peanut butter. Liquid sorbitol is also a key ingredient in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals such as syrups, emulsion ointments and gelatine capsules. Liquid sorbitol has excellent flow properties and uniform mixing concentration, allowing for consistent tablet weight.
Sorbitol Market Segment Analysis – by End-use Industry
The Food & Beverages held a significant share of the Sorbitol market in 2021 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Sorbitol is a carbohydrate also known as polyols or sugar alcohols. These products are frequently used as an ingredient in the food and beverage industries to create a variety of processed food products. Sorbitol keeps food products fresh and has a long shelf life. With a growing population, consumer demand for food products is expected to rise and as a result, sorbitol products are seeing massive growth in the segment. According to Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, the food industry in the UK grew by 49.4% between 2009 and 2019. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in 2019, Brazilian food industry sales amounted to R$699 billion (US$177 billion), an increase of seven percent compared to the previous year. With the rise in the demand for food & beverages across the globe, the demand for Sorbitol is anticipated to rise for various applications, which is projected to boost the market growth.
Sorbitol Market Segment Analysis – by Geography
Asia-Pacific held a significant share of up to 43% in the Sorbitol market in 2021. The flourishing growth of sorbitol in this region is influenced by growing food production, farming trends and government support policies for the food & beverages industry. Food & beverages are flourishing due to increasing industrial growth, high population and government support policies. According to the China Chain Store & Franchise Association, the food and beverage (F&B) sector in China reached $595 billion in 2019, up 7.8% from 2018. According to Invest India, India's food processing business is expected to reach US$470 billion by 2025, with consumer spending expected to reach $6 trillion by 2030. With the rise in the demand for food & beverages across APAC, the demand for sorbitol is anticipated to rise for various applications. This is projected to boost the market growth in the food & beverages industry during the forecast period.
Sorbitol Market Drivers
Bolstering Growth of the Personal care & Cosmetics Industry:
Sorbitol is a carbohydrate also known as polyols or sugar alcohols. It is a skin-friendly organic agent that provides hydration and moisturization. As a result, sorbitol is rapidly being used in the production of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products such as toothpaste, cream, moisturizer, shampoo and a variety of other items. These new product development initiatives are propelling the segment's revenue growth. According to the International Trade Administration, Mexico's overall cosmetic sector output increased from $7.10 billion in 2018 to $7.15 billion in 2019. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the beauty, cosmetics and grooming market in India in 2025 would grow from US$6.5 billion to US$20 billion. According to the International Trade Administration, Thailand's beauty and personal care goods market was valued at around US$6.2 billion in 2018 and is projected to grow to US$8.0 billion by 2022. With the rise in the demand for personal care & cosmetics industries across the globe, the demand for sorbitol is anticipated to rise for various applications, which is projected to boost the market growth in the personal care & cosmetics industry during the forecast period.
Rising Demand from the Pharmaceutical & Chemical Industry:
Pharmaceutical industries use Sorbitol products in the development and production of cough syrups, capsules, medicated confectioneries and other life-saving medicines. With an increase in infectious disease cases such as COVID-19, flu and others, the pharmaceutical & chemical industries have seen significant demand for cough syrups, capsules and other essential medicines. This is expected to fuel demand in the segment. According to Invest India, India's pharmaceutical industry is expected to be worth $65 billion by 2024 and $120 billion by 2030. According to the National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, the chemical industry in India is projected to reach US$300 billion by 2025. According to the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), the chemical output in EU27 to grow by 2.5% in 2022, after following a growth of 6% in 2021. With the rise in the demand for pharmaceutical & chemical industries across the globe, the demand for sorbitol is anticipated to rise for various applications, which is projected to boost the market growth in the pharmaceutical & chemical industry during the forecast period.
Sorbitol Market Challenge
Substitutional Threat from Other Sweeteners and Shortages of Commodities:
One of the most difficult challenges in the Sorbitol market is cost-effectiveness. For baking and processing food products, many foods and beverage manufacturers are turning to cost-effective alternative sweetener products such as erythritol, xylitol, lactitol and mannitol. Since these alternatives have the same functionality as sorbitol, many hotels, restaurants and cafe chains are purchasing alternative artificial sweeteners in order to achieve profitability without sacrificing productivity. Moreover, Sorbitol in excess is known to cause gastrointestinal discomfort; its potential laxative effects can have a negative impact on sales growth. Sorbitol availability is affected by seasonal factors. It is greatly influenced by the weather, so its quality and price fluctuate. Adherence to international quality standards, price competition and the serious consequences of losing a single large contract - all have a significant impact on sorbitol manufacturers. Thus, these are some of the key obstacles to the expansion of the Sorbitol market.
Sorbitol Industry Outlook
The top 10 companies in the Sorbitol market are:
- Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Cargill Incorporated
- Roquette Freres
- Ingredion Incorporated
- Tereos Starch & Sweeteners
- Ecogreen Oleochemicals Pte Ltd.
- Gulshan Polyols Ltd.
- Merck Group
- SPI Pharma, Inc.
- Sukhjit Starch & Chemicals Ltd.
Recent Developments
- In August 2022, Psaltry International launched the first and second largest cassava-based sorbitol factory in Africa.
- In March 2022, Sunar Misir announced the addition of a new product, Sunsorb® Sorbitol Powder, to its polyol portfolio via an investment in a high-tech manufacturing facility in Turkey.
- In November 2020, Roquette Introduced Lycagel, a Plant-Based Softgel Capsule. The vegan, pharmaceutical-grade formula contains pea starch, a marine microalgae extract, sorbitol and salt.