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Developed in the 1950s, sorbitol is now the most consumed sugar alcohol. In all applications, demand for sorbitol is largely a function of its unique combination of functional properties as a humectant, sweetener, bulking agent, stabilizer, softener, emulsifier, and its surface-active properties. Use in personal care products (mainly toothpaste), food and confections and in the manufacture of vitamin C accounted for 78% of world consumption in 2007; these applications will continue to account for over 75% of world demand in the near future.
During 2004–2007, reduced demand in the United States (a result of the cessation of vitamin C manufacture), moderate demand in Western Europe and marginal demand in Japan tempered double-digit growth in some countries, mainly in Asia and Central/Eastern Europe. The largest net importing countries/regions for sorbitol are Central/Eastern Europe, followed by Japan and Central/South America. The largest exporting countries/regions are Western Europe, China, Indonesia and the United States, which combined accounted for 90% of world exports in 2007; Western Europe alone accounted for 38%.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of sorbitol:
China is the single largest consumer of sorbitol, accounting for nearly one-third of world consumption in 2007; it also accounted for significant shares of world capacity and production in 2007. This trend is expected to continue during 2007–2012, as significant growth in Chinese demand will result in increased production. However, Chinese demand during 2007–2012 is expected to grow at a slower rate than during 2002–2007, largely as a result of the near-complete transfer of vitamin C production to China. China now accounts for over 90% of world vitamin C production. Chinese consumption of sorbitol in food and confections and personal care products will continue to grow at significant rates.
Excess capacity and competition from other polyols, which will lead to further consolidation, have characterized sorbitol markets for some time. Substitution based on pricing and heightened competition, mainly from glycerin, will continue. Sorbitol prices, among other factors, are affected by the price of corn syrup, the raw material for sorbitol.
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