D-glucitol sorbitol price index

D-glucitol sorbitol price December 2025 and outlook (see chart below)

• Northeast Asia:US$0.54/KG, unchanged

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D-glucitol sorbitol price index

This post is a summary of the D-glucitol sorbitol price developments. The price developments of D-glucitol sorbitol are expressed in US$ prices converted FX rates applicable at the time when the price was valid. D-glucitol sorbitol price index developments are calculated from multiple separate sources of data to ensure statistical accuracy.

The outlook for D-glucitol sorbitol prices is generated from different inputs including:

• Very recent price developments of immediate cost drivers of D-glucitol sorbitol prices
• Recent price developments of underlying feedstocks which drive the price of D-glucitol sorbitol
• Market futures for both cost drives and feedstocks of D-glucitol sorbitol prices
• Adjustment of current supply/demand imbalances in the D-glucitol sorbitol market
• Longer term trends in likely demand conditions

What is D‑glucitol (sorbitol) and what is it used for

D‑Glucitol (also known as Sorbitol) is a six‑carbon sugar alcohol (polyol) derived from glucose. It occurs naturally in certain fruits (for example apples, pears, plums) and is also manufactured industrially. Sorbitol is about 60 % as sweet as sucrose and is metabolised more slowly, which gives it utility in low‑calorie and sugar‑reduced applications. Its uses are broad: in the food industry as a sweetener, bulking agent, humectant and texturizer; in pharmaceuticals as a sweetener, excipient and laxative; and in personal care/cosmetics as a humectant and stabiliser.

How is D‑glucitol (sorbitol) produced

The industrial production of sorbitol typically begins with a starch‑rich raw material (such as corn, wheat, potato or cassava), which is hydrolysed to yield glucose. That glucose is then subjected to catalytic hydrogenation (i.e., reduction of the aldehyde group of glucose to an alcohol) often using a metal catalyst such as nickel (Raney Ni) under high hydrogen pressure and elevated temperature. After hydrogenation the crude sorbitol solution is processed (filtration, decolourisation, ion‑exchange) and then either concentrated as a liquid grade or crystallised/dried to produce solid sorbitol (flakes, powder, granules) depending on the desired end‑use. Emerging production routes include catalytic transfer hydrogenation, enzymatic/fermentation methods or electrochemical reduction of glucose, though the hydrogenation route remains dominant at commercial scale.

How large is the global market for D‑glucitol (sorbitol) and where is it produced

The global sorbitol market has been estimated variously: a 2022 estimate valued it at ~US $1.66 billion and projects reaching ~US $2.80 billion by 2030 (CAGR ~6.7 %). Other sources estimate the market at ~US $2.1 billion in 2023, with forecasts up to ~US $3.3 billion by 2030. On a volume basis, one report estimates demand at ~2.76 million tons in 2024 with a forecast of ~3.03 million tons by 2033.

As for production geography: production is strongly concentrated in the Asia‑Pacific region, particularly in China, which is reported to account for around half of global output. Other significant producing countries include India, Indonesia and the United States. The concentration arises from abundant starch (corn, cassava, wheat) feedstocks, existing starch‑to‑glucose infrastructure and hydrogenation facilities. Major industry players cited include companies such as Roquette Frères (France) and Cargill Incorporated (USA) among others.

In summary, the sorbitol market is mature but steady‑growing, driven by demand for lower‑calorie ingredients, and the main production hubs are located where starch feedstocks and established chemical/food‑processing infrastructures exist.