Global Polyglycitol Market Size Analysis Report - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook (2024-2032)

Polyglycitol Market Analysis

Polyglycitol is commonly used as a sugar-free sweetener, bulking agent, or a stabiliser. It is produced from maltose syrups, having a composition of 50% maltitol and around 20% sorbitol on dry basis. The calories contained in polyglycitol are estimated to be about three kilocalories in a gram. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), polyglycitol is safe for usage as additives. 

The increasing demand for the sugar-free products worldwide is providing impetus to the growth of the polyglycitol market. The growing awareness for a healthy lifestyle and a fit body has led to the surge in demand for sugar substitutes like polyglycitol. The widespread awareness via social media has furthered the growth of health consciousness among the younger consumers. This has also catalysed the market growth. A notable example is the U.S. market, where sales of sugar-free products have increased by 30% in recent years. 

Additionally, the imposition of sugar taxes in regions like the United Kingdom and Mexico, and rising government policies discouraging high sugar consumption, are expected to propel the polyglycitol market development. For instance, Mexico’s recent sugar tax has led to a 12% reduction in sugar loaded drink consumption. In the coming years, the growing sugar avoidance among consumers is expected to continue to propel the market growth.

Moreover, recent 2023 data from the CDC indicates that more than 35% of adults in 23 states of United Staes are living with obesity. With a growing emphasis on reducing sugar intake due to rising cases of diabetes and obesity, food manufacturers are turning to use of polyglycitol in sugar-free confectioneries, such as gum, candies, and chocolate bars. In Japan, sugar-free gums, where polyglycitol is frequently used due to its non-cariogenic properties, accounts for over 50% of total gum sales, showcasing market potential.

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Polyglycitol Market Trends

Surging Popularity of Keto and Low-Carb Diets

The rising popularity of keto and other low-carb diets has significantly spurred the demand for keto-friendly sweeteners like polyglycitol. According to surveys of 2020, about 12.9 million Americans follow the keto diet. With an increasing number of consumers avoiding sugar and consumer shift towards low-glycemic index alternatives, polyglycitol has become a preferred sweetener in keto-friendly snacks and desserts. In the U.S., keto food products, such as protein bars, now incorporate polyglycitol to cater to the growing demand. This trend in polyglycitol market is expected to continue in future.

Favourable Regulations and Sugar Tax Policies

Governments worldwide are introducing sugar taxes and regulations to combat excessive sugar consumption, leading to a rise in demand for sugar substitutes like polyglycitol. As per industry reports, in the United Kingdom, the Soft Drinks Industry Levy reduced the sugar content in beverages by 29% between 2015 and 2018, prompting manufacturers to turn to alternatives like polyglycitol. Similarly, South Africa introduced a sugar tax in 2018, which reduced sugar consumption by 17%. These regulations are encouraging the use of polyglycitol and other sugar substitutes in food and beverage reformulations, contributing to the market growth.

Opportunities in Polyglycitol Market

One significant opportunity in the market lies in the increasing consumer demand for clean-label and natural ingredients. For example, a 2023 report by FoodIngredientsFirst highlighted that 75% of global consumers are now seeking products with fewer artificial additives, pushing manufacturers to reformulate food items using natural sugar alternatives like polyglycitol.

Another key opportunity stems from the expansion of the functional foods industry. Recent news from Mintel in 2022 revealed that the sales of gut health products has surged, with over 43% of consumers looking for functional foods that promote digestion. This has also presented numerous polyglycitol market opportunities as the product has prebiotic properties and can be included in wellness products. 

Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry contributes to market expansion. PharmaTimes in 2023 reported a 15% rise in the production of sugar-free medications and supplements due to growing health awareness. Polyglycitol is increasingly incorporated in sugar-free chewable vitamins and diabetic-safe oral syrups, further solidifying its role in the health and wellness market. 

Polyglycitol Market Restraints

One significant challenge is the high production costs of polyglycitol compared to traditional sweeteners like sugar. The complex processing methods required for polyglycitol increase its price, making it less competitive for large-scale applications in food and beverage sectors. For example, sugar costs around USD 0.26 per pound and sugar substitutes like polyglycitol are significantly more expensive, limiting its use in cost-sensitive markets and affecting overall polyglycitol demand forecast. 

Another key restraint is the consumer preference for natural sweeteners, such as stevia and monk fruit, which are perceived as more natural alternatives. Additionally, stringent food safety and labelling laws in some regions restrict the use of polyglycitol as artificial sweetener. For instance, in Canada, artificial sweeteners like cyclamate and saccharin were banned for several years due to concerns over their safety, and while some have been reintroduced under strict regulations, this creates hesitancy for polyglycitol market. In the European Union, the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has rigorous evaluation procedures for sweeteners, which can delay their approval. For example, artificial sweeteners like aspartame underwent lengthy reassessments before gaining approval, a process that can similarly affect polyglycitol. 

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Polyglycitol Industry Segmentation

“Polyglycitol Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Form

• Lumps
• Powder
• Syrup

Market Breakup by Application

• Bulking Agents
• Stabilisers
• Humectants
• Sweeteners
• Texturisers

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Polyglycitol Market Share

By Form Insights

Polyglycitol lumps are primarily used in sugar-free candies, gums, and lozenges. The demand for sugar-free confectionery is rising among diabetic population, resulting in segment’s growth. On the other hand, powdered polyglycitol is gaining popularity in baked goods and keto-friendly products, where low glycemic index sweeteners are needed. A recent report by FoodNavigator noted the increased use of powdered sweeteners like polyglycitol in keto-friendly baked goods. As per polyglycitol market overview, this form is also preferred for easy integration into various recipes without altering texture.

Polyglycitol syrup is also widely used in sugar-free beverages and pharmaceutical syrups. With the global market for sugar-free beverages growing steadily, the demand for polyglycitol syrup is expanding. For example, several UK soft drink brands (Lucozade and Ribena) have reformulated their products to reduce sugar content and comply with the 2018 Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL). Many have turned to sugar alternatives, including polyglycitol syrup, as part of their strategy. As per polyglycitol industry analysis, polyglycitol syrup help brands stay below the 5g sugar per 100ml threshold to avoid the sugar tax.

By Application Insights

Polyglycitol is used as a bulking agent in low-calorie and sugar-free foods, offering volume without the high caloric content of sugar. The demand for bulking agents in food applications is rising due to the growth of the sugar-free confectionery and bakery markets. As a sweetener as well, polyglycitol is gaining prominence in sugar-free beverages, keto snacks, and diabetic-friendly foods. With a surge in demand for low-calorie sweeteners, the polyglycitol market share is expected to increase. Furthermore, polyglycitol’s stabilising properties make it suitable for maintaining the consistency and texture of sugar-free dairy products and desserts. In the growing plant-based dairy market, stabilisers like polyglycitol are being used to ensure texture in non-dairy alternatives. Polyglycitol is also used as a texturiser in food products to improve the mouthfeel of sugar-free items. The rising demand for clean-label and functional foods is boosting the use of texturisers. 

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Polyglycitol Market Regional Insights

North America Polyglycitol Market Trends

The North American region is emerging as one of the dominating regional markets for polyglycitol due to the high population base of people suffering from obesity in the United States and government initiatives targeting sugar reduction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been promoting sugar reduction since a decade, which has led companies to reformulate products with polyglycitol as a sugar substitute. A recent report revealed that 70% of American consumers are actively seeking to reduce their sugar intake, contributing to the growth of the polyglycitol market in the region. The growing awareness about health and fitness in the young generation and increasing number of fitness training services are further contributing to the market growth in North America.

Asia Pacific Polyglycitol Market Drivers

The Asia Pacific region is seeing a rapid rise in demand for polyglycitol due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes, which has led to a growing market for sugar-free and low-calorie products. The Asian Diabetes Prevention Program recently reported that Asia Pacific is home to 60% of the global diabetic population, which has driven a surge in demand for diabetic-friendly products containing polyglycitol. Additionally, China is emerging as one of the significant polyglycitol market players due to its growing health-conscious middle class and expanding food processing industry. In addition, the growing usage of social media in the region has aroused health consciousness among the population, which is further boosting the market growth.

Europe Polyglycitol Market Growth

The European market for polyglycitol is largely influenced by stringent regulations around sugar consumption and the imposition of sugar taxes. Countries like the United Kingdom and France have introduced sugar taxes, prompting manufacturers to use sugar substitutes like polyglycitol in beverages and snacks. In addition, there is a growing trend toward clean-label and natural products in Europe, which encourages the use of healthier alternatives to sugar. According to a 2022 report from Mintel, 68% of European consumers prefer food and drinks with natural sweeteners, creating an opportunity for polyglycitol to meet this demand.

Middle East and Africa Polyglycitol Market Dynamics

In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, rising rates of diabetes are creating a strong demand for sugar substitutes. For instance, Saudi Arabia has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world, with over 7 million people currently affected. As a result, sugar-free and low-calorie food products are becoming more popular, and polyglycitol is being adopted in both food and beverage formulations. Additionally, the rising urbanisation levels across Africa are contributing to a greater focus on health-conscious eating habits, further boosting the market potential.

Innovative Startups in Polyglycitol Market Landscape

Start-ups in the market are primarily focused on innovation in product formulations and cost-effective production methods to meet growing consumer demand for low-calorie sweeteners. They aim to enhance the use of polyglycitol in functional foods, beverages, and diabetic-friendly products by improving its integration into natural and clean-label offerings.

SweetVictory was established in 2020 and is based in Tel Aviv, Israel. The company gained attention due to its undertaking of innovating approach of reducing sugar cravings by making natural sweeteners like polyglycitol. Furthermore, their main product, which is a chewing gum infused with Gymnema Sylvestre is quite popular across Europe and NA regions. This is because the ingredients are known to suppress sugar cravings. It also has secured multiple partnerships in recent years, which has helped extend the company’s product portfolio and increased overall polyglycitol market value.

Bonumose Inc. was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Virginia, United States. It is a leading start-up in the sweetener market. It uses enzymatic technology to produce healthier sugar alternatives, such as allulose and polyglycitol. The company has made significant efforts to reduce production costs for rare sugars, making them more accessible to food and beverage manufacturers. Moreover, Bonumose recently secured partnership with ASR Group (world’s largest sugarcane refiner) and has raised more than USD 27 million in funding to expand its operations.

Competitive Landscape of Polyglycitol Market

The focus of market players is primarily on developing sustainable and health-oriented products. Companies are priortising innovation in formulations that cater to consumer demand for lower-calorie sweeteners, improved nutritional profiles, and clean-label ingredients. Additionally, there is a strong push towards enhancing sustainability practices throughout the supply chain. The major companies are also leveraging their strong distribution network to strengthen their presence in key markets. Furthermore, leading companies are ensuring their sugar-free additives comply with strict standards set by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and FDA, among others.

Key Industry Players

Ingredion Incorporated was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Illinois, United States. It is one of the leading ingredient providers in the world and specialises in starches, sweeteners, and ingredients made from renewable materials. It has a presence in more than 120 countries worldwide.

Samyang Corporation was founded in 1920 and is based in Seoul, South Korea. The company is known for its production of varied high-quality food ingredients, such as additives and texturisers. It has a strong presence in Asia Pacific region.

Recent Developments Contributing to Polyglycitol Demand Growth

• As of 2022, over 1 billion people worldwide are living with obesity, which includes nearly 890 million adults and 160 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 years. This trend indicates that approximately 3 billion individuals are now overweight, highlighting a significant need for low-calorie alternatives such as polyglycitol.
• In 2023, approximately 38.4 million people in the U.S. had diabetes, representing 11.6% of the population. As the prevalence of diabetes is expected to rise globally, the development of low-sugar alternatives like polyglycitol is expected to accelerate. 
• As of 2024, approximately 19.7% of U.S. children and adolescents fall under ‘obese category’, equating to about 14.7 million individuals. If current living trends continue, these figures are expected to grow, leading to a high polyglycitol demand in United States as it’s a low-calorie food additive and acts as a sugar alternative.