The global sorbitol market reached a volume of 2.56 Million Metric Tons in 2019. 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 market to reach a volume of 2.83 Million Metric Tons by 2025, at a CAGR of 1.60% over the forecast period (2020-2025).
Breakup by Type:
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 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?
1 Preface
2 Scope and Methodology
2.1 Objectives of the Study
2.2 Stakeholders
2.3 Data Sources
2.3.1 Primary Sources
2.3.2 Secondary Sources
2.4 Market Estimation
2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach
2.4.2 Top-Down Approach
2.5 Forecasting Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Introduction
4.1 Overview
4.2 Key Industry Trends
5 Global Sorbitol Industry: Market Landscape
5.1 Market Trends
5.1.1 Production Capacity
5.1.2 Consumption
5.1.3 Prices
5.2 Imports/Exports
5.3 Price Analysis
5.3.1 Key Price Indicators
5.3.2 Price Structure
5.3.3 Price Trends
5.4 Market Forecast
5.4.1 Production Capacity
5.4.2 Consumption
5.4.3 Prices
6 Sorbitol Market Breakup by Application
6.1 Cosmetics and Toiletries
6.1.1 Market Trends
6.1.2 Market Forecast
6.2 Food and Beverage
6.2.1 Market Trends
6.2.2 Market Forecast
6.3 Pharmaceuticals
6.3.1 Market Trends
6.3.2 Market Forecast
6.4 Toothpaste
6.4.1 Market Trends
6.4.2 Market Forecast
6.5 Industrial Surfactants
6.5.1 Market Trends
6.5.2 Market Forecast
6.6 Others
6.6.1 Market Trends
6.6.2 Market Forecast
7 Sorbitol Market Breakup by Type
7.1 Liquid Sorbitol
7.1.1 Market Trends
7.1.2 Market Forecast
7.2 Powder Sorbitol
7.2.1 Market Trends
7.2.2 Market Forecast
8 Sorbitol Market Breakup by Feedstock
8.1 Corn
8.1.1 Market Trends
8.1.2 Market Forecast
8.2 Wheat
8.2.1 Market Trends
8.2.2 Market Forecast
8.3 Cassava
8.3.1 Market Trends
8.3.2 Market Forecast
8.4 Others
8.4.1 Market Trends
8.4.2 Market Forecast
9 Global Sorbitol Industry: Regional Analysis
9.1 Production Capacity by Region
9.2 Production by Region
9.3 Consumption by Region
9.4 Analysis of Key Regions
9.4.1 China
9.4.1.1 Sorbitol Production Capacity and Production
9.4.1.2 Sorbitol Consumption
9.4.1.3 Sorbitol Production Statistics from Various Feedstocks
9.4.1.4 Historical and Future Price Trends of Various Feedstocks
9.4.1.5 Historical and Future Cost of Manufacturing Sorbitol from Various Feedstocks
9.4.1.6 Competitive Landscape
9.4.2 United States
9.4.2.1 Sorbitol Production Capacity and Production
9.4.2.2 Sorbitol Consumption
9.4.2.3 Sorbitol Production Statistics from Various Feedstocks
9.4.2.4 Historical and Future Price Trends of Various Feedstocks
9.4.2.5 Historical and Future Cost of Manufacturing Sorbitol from Various Feedstocks
9.4.2.6 Competitive Landscape
9.4.3 Europe
9.4.3.1 Sorbitol Production Capacity and Production
9.4.3.2 Sorbitol Consumption
9.4.3.3 Sorbitol Production Statistics from Various Feedstocks
9.4.3.4 Historical and Future Price Trends of Various Feedstocks
9.4.3.5 Historical and Future Cost of Manufacturing Sorbitol from Various Feedstocks
9.4.3.6 Competitive Landscape
9.4.4 Indonesia
9.4.4.1 Sorbitol Production Capacity and Production
9.4.4.2 Sorbitol Consumption
9.4.4.3 Sorbitol Production Statistics from Various Feedstocks
9.4.4.4 Historical and Future Price Trends of Various Feedstocks
9.4.4.5 Historical and Future Cost of Manufacturing Sorbitol from Various Feedstocks
9.4.4.6 Competitive Landscape
9.4.5 India
9.4.5.1 Sorbitol Production Capacity and Production
9.4.5.2 Sorbitol Consumption
9.4.5.3 Sorbitol Production Statistics from Various Feedstocks
9.4.5.4 Historical and Future Price Trends of Various Feedstocks
9.4.5.5 Historical and Future Cost of Manufacturing Sorbitol from Various Feedstocks
9.4.5.6 Competitive Landscape
10 Global Sorbitol Market: Value Chain
11 Global Sorbitol Market: Margin Analysis
11.1 Farmers Margins
11.2 Collectors Margins
11.3 Starch Manufacturer Margins
11.4 Sorbitol Manufacturer Margins
11.5 Distributor Margins
11.6 Exporters Margins
12 Global Sorbitol Market: SWOT Analysis
12.1 Overview
12.2 Strengths
12.3 Weaknesses
12.4 Opportunities
12.5 Threats
13 Global Sorbitol Market: Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
13.1 Overview
13.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
13.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
13.4 Degree of Rivalry
13.5 Threat of New Entrants
13.6 Threat of Substitutes
14 Competitive Landscape
14.1 Competitive Structure
14.2 Market Breakup by Key Players
15 Sorbitol Market: Feedstock and Manufacturing Analysis
15.1 Corn
15.1.1 Production Trends
15.1.2 Sorbitol Manufacturing from Corn
15.1.2.1 Manufacturing Process
15.2.2.2 Process Flow
15.2.2.3 Mass Balance and Feedstock Requirements
15.2.2.4 Land and Construction Requirements
15.2.2.5 Machinery Requirements
15.2.2.6 Machinery Suppliers
15.2.2.7 Utility Requirements
15.2.2.8 Manpower Requirements
15.2.2.9 Capital Costs
15.2.2.10 Raw Material Costs
15.2.2.11 Final Product and By-Product Prices
15.2.2.12 Total Cost per Ton
15.3 Cassava
15.3.1 Production Trends
15.3.2 Sorbitol Manufacturing from Cassava
15.3.2.1 Manufacturing Process
15.3.2.2 Process Flow
15.3.2.3 Mass Balance and Feedstock Requirements
15.3.2.4 Land and Construction Requirements
15.3.2.5 Machinery Requirements
15.3.2.6 Machinery Suppliers
15.3.2.7 Utility Requirements
15.3.2.8 Manpower Requirements
15.3.2.9 Capital Costs
15.3.2.10 Raw Material Costs
15.3.2.11 Final Product and By-Product Prices
15.3.2.12 Total Cost per Ton
15.4 Corn Starch
15.4.1 Sorbitol Manufacturing from Corn Starch
15.4.1.1 Manufacturing Process
15.4.1.2 Process Flow
15.4.1.3 Mass Balance and Feedstock Requirements
15.4.1.4 Specifications of Corn Starch and Sorbitol
15.4.1.5 Land and Construction Requirements
15.4.1.6 Machinery Requirements
15.4.1.7 Machinery Suppliers
15.4.1.8 Major Distributors
15.4.1.9 Utility Requirements
15.4.1.10 Manpower Requirements
15.4.1.11 Capital Costs
15.4.1.12 Raw Material Costs
15.4.1.13 Final Product Prices
15.4.1.14 Total Cost per Ton
16 Key Player Profiles
List of Figures
Figure 1: Global: Sorbitol Production Capacity (in ‘000 Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 2: Global: Sorbitol Average Prices (in US$/Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 3: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 4: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Value (in Million US$), 2012-2019
Figure 5: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume Breakup by Application (in %), 2019
Figure 6: Global: Sorbitol Production Capacity Breakup by Key Producer Countries (in %), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 7: Global: Sorbitol Production Volume Breakup by Key Producer Countries (in %), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 8: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume Breakup by Region (in %), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 9: Global: Sorbitol Production Volume Breakup by Feedstock (in %), 2019
Figure 10: Global: Sorbitol Production Capacity Breakup by Manufacturers (in %)
Figure 11: Global: Sorbitol Production Capacity Forecast (in ‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 12: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume Forecast (in ‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 13: Global: Sorbitol Average Prices Forecast (in US$/Metric Ton), 2020-2025
Figure 14: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Value Forecast (in Million US$), 2020-2025
Figure 15: China: Sorbitol Production Capacity (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 16: China: Sorbitol Production Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 17: China: Sorbitol Consumption Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 18: China: Sorbitol Production Breakup by Feedstock (in %), 2019
Figure 19: China: Corn Prices (in US$ /Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 20: China: Wheat Prices (in US$ /Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 21: China: Corn and Wheat Prices (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 22: China: Sorbitol Production Costs from Various Feedstocks (in US$ Per Mt)
Figure 23: China: Sorbitol Production Capacity Breakup by Manufacturers (in %)
Figure 24: United States: Sorbitol Production Capacity (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 25: United States: Sorbitol Production Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 26: United States: Sorbitol Consumption Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 27: United States: Corn Prices (in US$ /Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 28: United States: Corn Prices (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 29: United States: Sorbitol Production Costs from Corn (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 30: United States: Sorbitol Production Capacity by Manufacturers (in %)
Figure 31: Western Europe: Sorbitol Production Capacity (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 32: Western Europe: Sorbitol Production Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 33: Western Europe: Sorbitol Consumption Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 34: Western Europe: Sorbitol Production Breakup by Feedstock (in %), 2019
Figure 35: France: Wheat Prices (in US$ /Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 36: France: Corn Prices (in US$ /Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 37: France: Corn & Wheat Prices (in US$ Per Mt). 2012-2019
Figure 38: France: Sorbitol Production Costs from Corn & Wheat (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 39: Western Europe: Sorbitol Production Capacity Breakup by Key Manufacturers (in %)
Figure 40: Indonesia: Sorbitol Production Capacity (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 41: Indonesia: Sorbitol Production Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 42: Indonesia: Sorbitol Consumption Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 43: Indonesia: Sorbitol Production Breakup by Feedstock (in %), 2019
Figure 44: Indonesia: Cassava Prices (in US$/Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 45: Indonesia: Corn Prices (in US$/Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 46: Indonesia: Corn & Cassava Prices (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 47: Indonesia: Sorbitol Production Costs from Corn & Cassava (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 48: Indonesia: Sorbitol Production Breakup by Key Manufacturers (in %)
Figure 49: India: Sorbitol Production Capacity (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 50: India: Sorbitol Production Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 51: India: Sorbitol Consumption Volume (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Figure 52: India: Sorbitol Production Breakup by Feedstock (in %), 2019
Figure 53: India: Wheat Prices (in US$ /Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 54: India: Corn Prices (in US$ /Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 55: India: Corn and Wheat Prices (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 56: India: Sorbitol Production Costs from Corn and Wheat (in US$ Per Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 57: India: Sorbitol Production Capacity Breakup by Key Manufacturers (in %)
Figure 58: Global: Sorbitol Application in Cosmetics and Toiletries: Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 59: Global: Sorbitol Application in Cosmetics and Toiletries: Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 60: Global: Sorbitol Application in Food and Beverage: Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 61: Global: Sorbitol Application in Food and Beverage: Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 62: Global: Sorbitol Application in Pharmaceuticals: Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 63: Global: Sorbitol Application in Pharmaceuticals: Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 64: Global: Sorbitol Application in Toothpaste: Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 65: Global: Sorbitol Application in Toothpaste: Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 66: Global: Sorbitol Application in Industrial Surfactants: Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 67: Global: Sorbitol Application in Industrial Surfactants: Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 68: Global: Sorbitol Other Applications: Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 69: Global: Sorbitol Other Applications: Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 70: Global: Liquid Sorbitol Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 71: Global: Liquid Sorbitol Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 72: Global: Powder Sorbitol Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 73: Global: Powder Sorbitol Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 74: Global: Sorbitol (From Corn) Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 75: Global: Sorbitol (From Corn) Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 76: Global: Sorbitol (From Wheat) Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 77: Global: Sorbitol (From Wheat) Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 78: Global: Sorbitol (From Cassava) Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 79: Global: Sorbitol (From Cassava) Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 80: Global: Sorbitol (From Other Feedstocks) Consumption Volume (‘000 Mt), 2012 & 2019
Figure 81: Global: Sorbitol (From Other Feedstocks) Consumption Volume Forecast (‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Figure 82: Sorbitol and By-Product Conversion Rates from Corn, Wheat and Cassava
Figure 83: Global: Corn Production & Consumption Volume (in Million Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 84: Global: Corn Production by Country (in %), 2019
Figure 85: Global: Wheat Production & Consumption Volume (in Million Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 86: Global: Wheat Production by Country (in %), 2019
Figure 87: Global: Cassava Production (in Million Mt), 2012-2019
Figure 88: Global: Cassava Production by Country (in %), 2019
Figure 89: Sorbitol Manufacturing Process
Figure 90: Production of Starch Slurry Using Wheat
Figure 91: Production of Starch Slurry Using Cassava
Figure 92: Production of Glucose Syrup from Starch Slurry
Figure 93: Conversion of Glucose Syrup to Sorbitol
Figure 94: Interchanging Sorbitol Feedstocks
Figure 95: Roquette Frères SA: Production Breakup by Product
Figure 96: Shandong Tianli Pharmaceutical Co Limited: Capacity Breakup by Product (in %)
Figure 97: Kasyap Sweetners: Production Capacity Breakup by Product (in %)
List of Tables
Table 1: Global: Sorbitol Production Capacity by Key Producer Countries (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Table 2: Global: Sorbitol Production by Key Producer Countries (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Table 3: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume by Region (in ‘000 Mt), 2012, 2019 & 2025
Table 4: Global: Sorbitol Feedstock Statistics (in ‘000 Mt), 2019
Table 5: Global: Sorbitol Production Capacity Breakup by Manufacturers (in Mt)
Table 6: Characteristics of Various Polyols
Table 7: China: Sorbitol Feedstock Statistics (in ‘000 Mt)
Table 8: China: Sorbitol Production Capacity Breakup by Manufacturers (in Mt)
Table 9: United States: Sorbitol Feedstock Statistics (in Mt)
Table 10: United States: Sorbitol Production Capacity by Manufacturers (in Mt)
Table 11: Western Europe: Sorbitol Feedstock Statistics (in Mt)
Table 12: Western Europe: Sorbitol Production Capacity Statistics by Key Producers (in Mt)
Table 13: Indonesia: Sorbitol Feedstock Statistics (in Mt)
Table 14: Indonesia: Sorbitol Production Statistics by Key Producers (in Mt)
Table 15: India: Sorbitol Feedstock Statistics (in Mt)
Table 16: India: Sorbitol Production Statistics by Key Producers (in Mt)
Table 17: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume Forecast: Breakup by Application (in ‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Table 18: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume Forecast: Breakup by Type (in ‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Table 19: Global: Sorbitol Consumption Volume Forecast: Breakup by Feedstock (in ‘000 Mt), 2020-2025
Table 20: Prices of Various Sorbitol By-products