The global sorbitol market reached a volume of 2.62 Million Tons in 2020. Sorbitol, also known as glucitol, is a white and odorless crystalline powder with approximately 50-60% of the sweetness of sucrose. It is found in nature with relatively high concentrations in apples, peaches, plums, pears and apricots. Sorbitol is a non-volatile, non-flammable and non-corrosive polyol, which is chemically inert and compatible with excipients. It is produced commercially by electrolytic reduction of glucose and corn syrup. Owing to these chemical and physical characteristics, sorbitol is widely employed in the production of toothpaste, toiletries, cosmetics, confectionaries, sweets, frozen desserts, biscuits, ascorbic acid, industrial surfactants, pharmaceuticals and healthcare products.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 463 million adults were living with diabetes in 2019. As a result of the growing prevalence of the condition, the demand for artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, has increased in the production of diabetic foods. Besides this, owing to its various functional properties, sorbitol is utilized in diverse industries as a humectant, sweetener, bulking agent, stabilizer, softener and emulsifier. For instance, in the food industry, it is added to prevent the food from drying and aging and to extend the shelf-life of products as well as effectively prevent the precipitation of sugar. On the other hand, sorbitol is used as an excipient and diluent in tablet formulations, which are prepared either by wet granulation or direct compression. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the global sorbitol market to exhibit moderate growth during the next five years.

Breakup by Type:

Liquid
Powder

Liquid sorbitol currently holds the largest market share due to its ability to bind water molecules and stabilize the mass in various personal care products, cosmetics, and foods and beverages.

Breakup by Application:

Cosmetics and Toiletries
Food and Beverage
Pharmaceuticals
Toothpaste
Industrial Surfactants
Others

On the basis of the application, pharmaceuticals represent the leading segment as the majority of sorbitol in this sector is used in the manufacturing of ascorbic acid for vitamin C tablets.

Breakup by Feedstock:

Corn
Wheat
Cassava
Others

Corn is currently the most popular feedstock and accounts for the entire sorbitol production in the US and the majority of the production in China, Europe and India.

Regional Insights:

China
United States
Europe
Indonesia
India

On the geographical front, China exhibits a clear dominance in the market since the country accounts for around 90% of the global Vitamin C production.

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the market is characterized by the presence of numerous small and large manufacturers who compete with each other in terms of prices and quality.

Key questions answered in this report:

How has the global sorbitol market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
What are the key regional markets?
What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global sorbitol market?
What are the popular product types in the market?
What are the key application segments in the market?
What are the major feedstocks in the market?
What are the price trends of sorbitol?
What are the various stages in the value chain of the market?
What are the key driving factors and challenges in the market?
What is the structure of the market and who are the key players?
What is the degree of competition in the market?
How is sorbitol manufactured?