Sorbitol Market Size by Form (Powder, Liquid), by Function (Sweetener, Humectant, Bulking Agent, Flavoring Agent), by Application (Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care) - Global Forecast to 2030

The Sorbitol Market is expected to reach $2.39 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast period 2023–2030.

The growth of this market is driven by the rising consumer demand for low-calorie and healthy food products, increasing health problems due to the consumption of sugar-based products, growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry, and the growing personal care and cosmetics market. Additionally, emerging markets provide significant growth opportunities for sorbitol manufacturers. However, the side effects of the overconsumption of sorbitol and stringent regulations and international quality standards for sorbitol may restrain the growth of the global sorbitol market to some extent.

Rising consumer demand for low-calorie and healthy food products

In recent years, a growing trend towards health and fitness has arisen across the globe due to increasing awareness of health. Growing health awareness has increased demand for food products that support better health, especially low-calorie, sugar-free, and weight-control products. As a result, the number of foodstuffs containing artificial low-calorie sweeteners has grown distinctly. Also, the growing availability of affordable food and increasing sedentary lifestyle in industrialized countries creates a demand for low-calorie and low sugar-containing products, as they provide healthy weight, improve oral health status, and control insulin levels. Therefore, functional sweeteners such as sorbitol have started to capture some serious attention from manufacturers.

The food & beverage industry is increasingly replacing sugar or corn syrup with artificial sweeteners in a range of traditionally sugar-containing products. Artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol have become essential ingredients in various food applications for their functional, sensory, and nutritional properties. They offer flexibility in functionality while ensuring controllability and consistent final performance. In addition to their clean, sweet taste, and unique functional properties, sorbitol offer important health benefits. For example, they are low in calories and do not cause sudden increases in blood sugar levels.

Hence, as consumer demand for low-calorie and healthy food products grows, food & beverage manufacturers are increasingly incorporating sorbitol into their products across the globe.

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Growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry

Pharmaceutical consumption is increasing worldwide in terms of expenditure and the volume or quantity of drugs consumed. This growth is attributed to the growing aging population, increasing incidence of chronic diseases, and technological developments. In recent decades, advancements in the pharmaceutical industry have led to significant improvements in product quality and population health, which have contributed to the increase in real health expenditure in most industrialized countries.

Sorbitol plays an important role as an active ingredient and excipient in pharmaceutical formulations. They are increasingly used in the pharmaceutical industry due to their flexible functionalities in reducing glycemic response, decreasing dental cavities, and lowering caloric intake. Chemically, sorbitol is closely related to glucose, which can be obtained from starch or sucrose. Pharmaceutical-grade sorbitol is available in several different physical forms from various suppliers. Differences in the shape and structure of the several sorbitol products result in different behaviors on compaction. Direct-compaction grades of sorbitol, available from several manufacturers, can be used to produce chewable tablets, lozenges, and disintegrating tablets. The hygroscopicity of sorbitol limits its use in tableting.

Thus, the various functionalities and properties of sorbitol increase their adoption in the pharmaceutical industry, driving the growth of the global sorbitol market.

Key Findings in the Global Sorbitol Market Study:

In 2023, the liquid segment is expected to account for the largest share of the sorbitol market

Based on form, the global sorbitol market is mainly segmented into syrup/liquid and powdered/crystal. The liquid segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global sorbitol market in 2023. The large market share of this segment is attributed to its ease of use, better handling and transport, and wide range of applications. This segment is also expected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to its exceptional functional properties, such as excellent flow properties and uniform mixing concentration, which help maintain the constant weight of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

In 2023, the sweeteners segment is expected to account for the largest share of the sorbitol market

Based on function, the global sorbitol market is mainly segmented into sweeteners, humectants, bulking agents, flavoring agents, and other functions. The sweeteners segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global sorbitol market in 2023. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the inclination toward low-calorie products, high demand for convenience and processed foods, and increased preference for natural products. This segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this market is mainly attributed to the increasing demand for sugar replacers.

In 2023, the personal care segment is expected to account for the largest share of the sorbitol market

Based on application, the global sorbitol market is mainly segmented into personal care, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and other applications. The personal care segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global sorbitol market in 2023. The demand for sorbitol in the personal care industry is primarily driven by its excellent functionalities, such as humectant, thickener, and flavoring agent; increased use of organic cosmetic products; and high demand for skincare products. This segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is mainly attributed to increasing expenditure on personal care, the rising consciousness of consumers about their appearance, and increasing demand for innovative products.

Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing Regional Market

Geographically, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of the global sorbitol market in 2023. The large share of this region is primarily attributed to the high availability of raw materials, increased health-conscious consumers, and evolving food and beverage sector. This region is also slated to register the fastest growth during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this region is mainly attributed to the rising investments in the personal care sector and rising purchasing power parity.

Key Players

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments adopted by the leading market participants in the sorbitol market during 2020–2023. The key players operating in the global sorbitol market are Roquette Frères S.A. (France), Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.), Ingredion Incorporated (U.S.), Archer Daniels Midland Company (U.S.), SPI Pharma, Inc. (U.S.), Sayaji Industries Limited (India), Gulshan Polyols Limited (India), ECOGREEN OLEOCHEMICALS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD (Singapore), Merck Group (Germany), The Sukhjit Starch & Chemicals Ltd (India), B Food Science Co. Ltd (Japan), and Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan).

Scope of the report

Sorbitol Market, by Form   

• Syrup/Liquid
• Powdered/Crystal

Sorbitol Market, by Function                             

• Sweeteners   
• Humectants  
• Bulking Agents             
• Flavoring Agents          
• Other Functions            

Sorbitol Market, by Application                         

• Food & Beverages
• Personal Care
  • Dental Care
    • Toothpastes
    • Mouth Fresheners
    • Other Dental Care Products
  • Skincare
  • Cosmetics
  • Haircare & Aftershave
  • Soaps & Detergents
• Pharmaceuticals
  • Capsules
  • Syrups
  • Tablets
  • Transdermal & Topical Gels
  • Medicated Confectionery            
• Other Applications

Sorbitol Market, by Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • U.K.
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Key questions answered in the report: