Polyol Sweeteners Market

Market Overview

The global polyol sweeteners market was worth USD 6.27 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 10.34 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The demand for polyol sweeteners in food and beverage products is expected to increase over the forecast period as they offer fewer calories and support the overall health of consumers.

Polyol sweeteners are sugar replacements extensively used in food and beverage items as a low-calorie alternative to regular sugar. The growing demand for low-calorie food and drink products has led to growth in the global market for polyol sweeteners in recent years. Polyol sweeteners are often used in confectionery, bakery, dairy products, and beverages. Several polyol sweeteners are available, including xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, mannitol, and maltitol. These sweeteners provide a similar taste and texture to traditional sugar, with fewer calories and a lower glycemic index. They are often used as functional ingredients because they enhance flavor, texture, and mouthfeel.

Market Dynamics

Global Polyol Sweeteners Market Drivers

Increasing Health Consciousness Among Consumers

The increasing frequency of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, chronic pulmonary disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and a few types of cancer occurring due to unhealthy lifestyles has resulted in growing awareness about healthy diets and nutrient-rich food. Healthy diets primarily consist of natural, fat-free, low-sugar, and gluten-free products. Chronic diseases are highly preventable and can be lowered by changing diet, lifestyle, and environment. As polyol sweeteners contain fewer calories and a low glycaemic index, rising consumer awareness of the correlation between exercise, health, and a balanced diet across genders and generations is projected to impact demand for them positively. According to the World Health Organization, approx 17.9 million people die yearly because of cardiovascular diseases, and obesity is the major cause of cardiovascular problems. Thus, the demand for polyol sweeteners in food and beverage products is expected to increase over the forecast period as they offer fewer calories and support the overall health of consumers.

Global Polyol Sweeteners Market Restraint

Threat of Substitution from Other Sweeteners

With the demand for zero and low-calorie food items, manufacturers are increasingly developing artificial sweeteners as substitutes for sugar. Artificial sweeteners are produced synthetically to help maintain low blood sugar levels and are readily available. The wide applications of artificial sweeteners in processed foods such as candies, jellies, and powdered drink mixes contribute to the increased sales of artificial sweeteners. Saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, cyclamate, and aspartame are some of the FDA-approved artificial sweeteners that find increased application in the food and beverage industry owing to their ability to maintain taste. Aspartame is increasingly used as a tabletop sweetener as it is 200 times sweeter than sugar, which is likely to boost its demand among manufacturers involved in offering low-calorie desserts and sugar-free chewing gums, cereals, tea, coffee, yogurt, and milk formulations. Thus, the increased penetration of artificial sweeteners is expected to restrain the growth of the polyol sweeteners market.

Similarly, Stevia is a natural sweetener and can create the desired sweet taste even in small quantities. It contains fewer calories than sugar-based sweeteners, making it a zero-calorie or low-calorie sweetener. Thus, the availability of many substitutes in the sweeteners market space is expected to restrict the growth of the polyol sweeteners market over the forecast period.

Global Polyol Sweeteners Market Opportunities

Increasing Demand from the Personal Care and Cosmetics Industry and Pharmaceutical Industry

Polyol sweeteners are increasingly used in cosmetics and personal care products due to their wide functions and availability at low costs. The growing demand for premium cosmetics owing to increased consumer focus on high-quality natural skincare and hair care products is anticipated to expand the size of the overall personal care and cosmetics industry. Increased consumption of anti-tan, sunblock, and anti-aging creams among middle-aged consumers is a key factor boosting the demand for personal care products. Rising demand for moisturizing lotions, creams, hair styling gels, and makeup products from men is also likely to fuel the growth of the personal care and cosmetics industry over the forecast period.

Polyols are used as API in the pharmaceutical industry; however, their use as excipients is considerably higher. The use of polyol sweeteners is increasing in conventional tablets owing to their advantages, such as not containing reducing sugar, thus restricting the reaction between the amino groups and chemical inertness of polyols over lactose, increasing its use as a pharmaceutical excipient. Rising health awareness, healthcare infrastructure, and insurance schemes by governments worldwide are primarily driving the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, an aging population requires extensive medical assistance, and rising chronic diseases worldwide will be expected to drive the demand for pharmaceutical products, which is expected to bolster the demand for the polyol market during the forecasted period.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global polyol sweeteners market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global polyol sweeteners market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.7% over the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific offers vast opportunities for the international trade of food and beverage products, attributed to the growing population in India, China, Japan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and others. The high disposable income in these countries drives the demand for food and beverage production, thereby contributing to the growing expenditure on food in the Asia-Pacific. This is expected to mark an opportunity for the polyol sweeteners market. The popularity of Western diets is expected to boost the demand for dairy products and premium alcoholic drinks, which is expected to increase imports of premium products to meet the growing demand. However, Asia Pacific countries struggle with the lack of clean water supply and poor hygiene conditions in food manufacturing facilities, thus hindering the full potential of industry development.

Central and South America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period. The food and beverage industry is rich in producing ingredients for food and beverage products and presents expansion opportunities. The market provides opportunities for industrialization and new and more sustainable technologies that offer solutions to growing more responsible and conscious consumption. Moreover, the consumer demand for healthy and natural ingredients is increasing and can be seen across recent product launches in South America. South America is one of the largest exporters of Stevia leaves globally. However, China is the largest stevia producer globally; Paraguay is in second place and growing quickly. The availability of natural sugar alternatives has increased, and sugar reduction in food and beverage products spikes the demand for such products. Stevia dominates the sweeteners market in the South American food and beverage industry. This will likely hamper the growth of the polyol sweeteners market in Central and South America.

North America was a major consumer of polyol sweeteners because a large portion of polyol sweeteners were consumed in food and beverage applications. Several players in the region are compelled to offer food and beverage products with low calories due to the growing health consciousness among consumers. Moreover, the growing awareness about sugar alternatives contributes to market growth. American food preferences are shifting as consumers opt more for natural and organic products and consume less packaged and heavily processed food. Consumers have reduced their intake of meat, fat, and sugar. This will likely drive the demand for natural sweetener products across the region, thus benefiting the growth of polyol sweeteners over the forecast period.

The demand for alternative sweeteners from food and beverage companies in the European market is growing due to health concerns and rising consumer demand. Manufacturers are actively looking for natural sweeteners to replace sugar in their products. Consumer awareness of the health issues related to sugar is increasing along with the government and NGOs' promotion of reducing sugar content in food products. This is prompting food and beverage companies to look for alternative sweeteners. This trend presents an opportunity for polyol sweetener producers and is expected to drive the demand for polyol sweeteners in the European market.

In the Middle East, the food and beverage industry is driven by its diverse consumer groups with an appetite for a wide range of cuisines. Countries such as the UAE are a potential market home to over 200 nationalities and attract several tourists from across the globe. In the UAE, the hospitality sector is rapidly expanding, with new hotels and restaurants looking to cater to the changing needs and demands of tourists. Thus, the rapid expansion in the Middle East and Africa is anticipated to provide opportunities for the growth of the food and beverage sector. Fewer outdoor activities due to regional climatic conditions have increased calorie intake due to excess food availability. Consumers are focusing on reducing the calories in packaged food due to growing health concerns. This will likely boost the demand for low-calorie or zero-calorie sweeteners, driving the polyol sweeteners market over the coming years.

Segmental Analysis

The global polyol sweeteners market is bifurcated into product, form, function, and application.

Based on the product, the global polyol sweeteners market is bifurcated into sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, and isomalt.

The sorbitol segment dominates the global market and will likely exhibit a CAGR of 5% over the forecast period. It is a carbohydrate polyol naturally found in fruits and vegetables, mainly blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. It contains about one-third fewer calories than sugar and is 60% as sweet. It is widely used in food and beverages, pharmaceutical companies, cosmetics, and other industrial applications. The low cost of sorbitol polyol sweeteners is driving demand for sorbitol sweeteners. Moreover, wide availability and many suppliers make it an attractive polyol sweetener, expected to augment the segment's growth over the forecast period. High demand from food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and other industries is expected to drive demand for sorbitol sweeteners.

Based on form, the global polyol sweeteners market is segmented based on form into powder and liquid.

The powder segment dominates the global market and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. The powder form is largely concentrated in the global polyol sweeteners market. Most of the polyols are available in the powdered form owing to the feasibility and different functional benefits, including ease of transportation, packaging, stability, and wide applications offered by powder polyols. They improve the product’s shelf life and stability by aiding moisture retention and preventing product crystallization compared to liquid. Powdered polyols are widely used in the food and beverage industry as a coating and bulking agent in confectionery and bakery applications. Powdered polyols are easy to use owing to their physical properties, which is expected to boost their demand over liquid polyols.

In addition, Polyol sweeteners have a high heat of solution, which results in a cooling effect in the mouth. The cooling effect varies with the type of polyols; erythritol has the strongest cooling effect, whereas isomalt has the mildest cooling effect. This cooling effect is desirable in manufacturing products such as peppermint and menthol but not preferred for baked goods and chocolate products. Thus, powdered polyol sweeteners highly depend on the desired application.

Based on function, the global polyol sweeteners market is bifurcated into flavoring and sweetening agents, excipients, and humectants.

The flavoring and sweetening agents segment owns the highest market share and will likely exhibit a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period. Polyols are used for various functions in different applications, and one of the major functions is flavoring and sweetening agents. Polyols are used as food additives to add a sweet taste to products consumed or used to produce toothpaste or mouthwash. They play an important role as a flavor enhancer, added to food supplements to enhance the natural flavor. Polyols reduce carcinogenicity in food products compared to sucrose, fructose, and glucose and, thus, are used in various confectionery products such as chocolates, candies, and chewing gums. Due to their properties of reducing tooth decay, polyols are used in different food applications to offer consumers healthy and safe food products.

Based on application, the global polyol sweeteners market is bifurcated into food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and others.

The personal care and cosmetics segment owns the highest market share and will likely exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period. Polyols are used in the personal care and cosmetics industry owing to their significant functionalities in cosmetics, oral care, and personal care products. In addition, they are incorporated as excipients for manufacturing essential personal care products such as chewing gums, candies, creams and lotions, makeup, perfumes, and deodorants. Sorbitol and maltitol syrups offer a soothing mouthfeel, mild sweetness, refreshing and cool taste, and resistance to dental caries, and thus, are used for making toothpaste and mouthwash.

In addition, they are used in shaving products for humectant, tackiness, and non-skin irritating functions. Polyols improve the functionality of exfoliating moisturizers or texturizers in personal care products. Nowadays, consumers opt for natural and sustainable products for their care needs that contribute to their wellness and cosmetic attributes. Thus, the polyols market is expected to grow with the demand for sustainability and natural products.

Recent Developments

• April 2023- Jungbunzlauer Suisse announced the expansion of the Chinese facility that produces polyol sweeteners. The expansion will expand the company's polyol sweetener capacity by 50%.
• January 2023- DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences launched a new line of polyol sweeteners called Truvia® SweetLeaf® Sugar Alcohols. The new sweeteners are made to provide sweetness similar to sugar while having fewer calories and a less negative effect on blood sugar levels.