The global demand for erythritol has increased in the last five years. Erythritol refers to a sweetener very similar to sugar with respect to taste and looks, but has almost negligible calories. It is extensively preferred as sweeteners in the food and beverages industry. One can obtain erythritol from the hydrogenation or fermentation of various carbohydrates. It is about 70 per cent as sweet as sucrose, which is very low in calorie and is sometimes produced as zero calorie sweetener. In clinical terms, erythritol is known to have better digestive tolerance than other classes of polyols, due to which, majority erythritol is transmitted into the body through blood, after it has been absorbed by the small intestine. The increasing health consciousness and changing lifestyle of consumers in emerging countries have given significant impetus to the market. However, the market faces tough competition from several alternatives.
Given the health benefits, the use of erythritol has been approved by the most prominent international organizations such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has acquired the status of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Erythritol ensures better digestive tolerance than sucrose at the same volume and does not cause tooth decay. These are some of the reasons why the global erythritol market is expanding at a rapid pace.
A regional analysis showed that Western Europe, North America, and Japan hold the majority share in the global erythritol market on value terms. Emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region such as India and China have become prospective markets for the global erythritol market.
On the basis of application, the global market is categorized into food and beverage industry, personal care industry, pharmaceutical industry, and others (including agriculture/animal feed). In this category, the food and beverages industry is further bifurcated into food industry and beverage industry. Within the food industry erythritol is mainly used as sweetener and protective agents in confectionaries and as additives in low-calorie diet food. Whereas, in the pharmaceutical industry, erythritol is used as a flavouring agent to augment the taste of medicines. Erythritol finds application in the personal care segment with oral care and other products. It is also used as preservatives to inhibit bacteria.
A recent report on the global erythritol market was published by Global Market Estimates Research and Consultants (GME) in March 2020. The market can be segmented on several grounds. On the basis of application, the global market is segmented into food & beverages, personal care, and pharmaceutical among others. On the basis of region, the global market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America and Middle East and Africa. The countries covered include: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and South Africa among others.
The key end-users of the market are Nestle, PepsiCo, Abbott Laboratories and Tyson Food among others. Some of the key players operating in the Erythritol market are JUNGBUNZLAUER SUISSE AG, Cargill Inc., Foodchem International Corporation, and Shandong Sanyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd, among others.
Press Release published by Global Market Estimates Research & Consultants: Global Erythritol Market Research Report - Forecasts to 2026