Global Polyol Sweeteners Market, By Type (Sorbitol, Erythritol, Maltitol, Mannitol, lactitol, Isomalt, Xylitol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate and Others), By Form (Powder/Crystal and Liquid/Syrup), By Application (Beverages, Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy, Oral Care, Pharmaceuticals and Others), By Function (Bulking Agents, Flavouring or Sweetening Agents, Excipients, Humectants and Others), By Company and By Geography, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 6.13 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.21%
Fastest Growing Segment	Erythritol
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 9.31 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Polyol Sweeteners Market will grow from USD 6.13 Billion in 2025 to USD 9.31 Billion by 2031 at a 7.21% CAGR. Polyol sweeteners, commonly known as sugar alcohols, are carbohydrate-derived food additives such as sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol that function as low-calorie sugar substitutes with a reduced glycemic impact. The market's expansion is fundamentally supported by the rising global prevalence of diabetes and obesity, which necessitates the widespread adoption of non-cariogenic and insulin-independent sweetening solutions in food manufacturing. Additionally, the distinct technical ability of these ingredients to act as humectants and bulking agents drives their integration into confectionery and pharmaceutical formulations, offering functional benefits beyond mere sweetness. According to Starch Europe, in 2024, the European industry produced 9.8 million tonnes of starch and starch derivatives, ensuring a massive and stable supply of the primary feedstock required for extensive polyol production.

Despite this robust growth trajectory, the market faces a significant impediment related to gastrointestinal tolerance, as the excessive consumption of certain polyols can induce laxative effects and digestive discomfort. This physiological limitation compels regulatory bodies to mandate warning labels and forces manufacturers to restrict inclusion rates, thereby challenging the ability of these sweeteners to serve as complete, high-volume replacements for sucrose in all consumer product categories.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating Global Prevalence of Diabetes and Obesity is a primary catalyst propelling the global polyol sweeteners market. As health consciousness rises, consumers are increasingly seeking low-glycemic alternatives to sucrose to manage blood glucose levels and weight. Polyols like erythritol and xylitol are essential in this shift because they provide the necessary sweetness and bulking properties without the high caloric load associated with traditional sugars. This health-driven demand is substantiated by alarming disease statistics that compel food manufacturers to reformulate products with insulin-independent ingredients. According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2024, approximately 589 million adults worldwide were living with diabetes, a figure that underscores the urgent necessity for diabetic-friendly food formulations.

Stringent Government Regulations and Sugar Reduction Mandates further accelerate market growth by forcing the industry to adopt non-nutritive sweeteners. Governments globally are implementing fiscal policies, such as sugar taxes and front-of-pack labeling laws, to curb excessive sugar intake and mitigate public health burdens. These legislative pressures leave manufacturers with little choice but to integrate polyols, which offer functional versatility in retaining texture and mouthfeel in reformulated beverages and confectionery. According to the World Health Organization, in April 2024, 108 countries had implemented national taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages to discourage high-sugar consumption. Consequently, major ingredient suppliers are scaling their sugar-reduction portfolios to meet this regulatory compliance. For instance, according to Tate & Lyle PLC, May 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the company's low- and no-calorie sweeteners and fibers successfully removed 7.9 million tonnes of sugar from consumer diets since March 2020.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary impediment hampering the growth of the Global Polyol Sweeteners Market is the issue of gastrointestinal tolerance. Because polyol molecules are only partially absorbed in the small intestine, excessive consumption inevitably leads to fermentation in the colon, resulting in gas, bloating, and laxative effects. This physiological limitation forces food and beverage manufacturers to cap the inclusion rates of these ingredients to avoid causing consumer distress, effectively preventing polyols from serving as 1:1 bulk replacements for sucrose in high-volume products. Furthermore, the regulatory requirement for mandatory warning labels regarding these laxative effects creates a negative perception, causing health-conscious buyers to hesitate before purchasing products containing these additives.

This wariness toward potential adverse reactions directly reduces the total addressable market volume. According to the International Food Information Council, in 2024, 31% of consumers who reduced or stopped their intake of low- and no-calorie sweeteners cited safety concerns as a primary motivation. This statistic underscores a critical retention issue; even as the demand for sugar reduction accelerates, the market cannot fully capitalize on this trend because the physical side effects of polyols deter a significant portion of the consumer base. Consequently, manufacturers are restricted to using these sweeteners in smaller quantities or niche applications, thereby stunting the overall expansion of the industry.

Key Market Trends

The shift toward plant-based and natural polyol sourcing is fundamentally reshaping the market as manufacturers increasingly prioritize sustainable feedstock procurement to align with clean-label consumer demands. Instead of relying solely on conventional starch derivatives, major producers are transitioning to regenerative agricultural supply chains to reduce the carbon footprint of ingredients like erythritol and sorbitol. This trend moves beyond simple natural origin claims, focusing deeply on the environmental impact of the agricultural practices used to grow corn and wheat feedstocks. According to ADM, September 2025, in its annual regenerative agriculture report, the company announced it had engaged more than 5 million acres in regenerative farming practices, achieving its 2025 sustainability goal a year early and securing a large-scale, eco-friendly supply chain for its ingredient portfolio.

Concurrently, the industry is witnessing a robust trend toward the formulation of synergistic polyol and high-intensity sweetener blends to overcome the functional limitations of singular ingredients. To replicate the exact temporal profile and mouthfeel of sucrose, suppliers are moving away from selling isolated polyols, instead engineering sophisticated systems that combine the bulking properties of sugar alcohols with the potency of stevia or monk fruit. This solutions-oriented approach allows manufacturers to mask off-notes and cooling effects, thereby driving higher adoption rates in reformulation projects. This demand for complex systems is evident in financial performance; according to Ingredion Incorporated, February 2025, in its 'Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Results', the company's Texture & Healthful Solutions segment delivered double-digit sales volume growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, underscoring the rapid industrial uptake of these advanced sweetener formulations.

Segmental Insights

Erythritol represents the fastest-growing segment within the Global Polyol Sweeteners Market, driven by an increasing consumer preference for natural, zero-calorie ingredients. Its rapid adoption stems from its unique ability to provide sweetness without affecting blood glucose levels, making it highly suitable for diabetic and weight-management diets. Additionally, Erythritol possesses superior digestive tolerance compared to other polyols, addressing common consumer concerns regarding gastrointestinal comfort. Continued validation from organizations such as the European Food Safety Authority regarding its safety profile further encourages manufacturers to incorporate this sweetener into beverages and confectionery, thereby fueling market expansion.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Polyol Sweeteners Market, primarily driven by high consumer awareness regarding the health risks of excess sugar intake. The region experiences strong demand for low-calorie alternatives within the bakery, confectionery, and pharmaceutical industries to manage lifestyle conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Furthermore, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supports this growth by maintaining clear safety standards for sugar alcohols, often designating them as Generally Recognized As Safe. This favorable regulatory framework encourages manufacturers to utilize polyols extensively, securing the region's dominance.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, Jungbunzlauer announced the acquisition of a multipurpose manufacturing site in Thomson, Illinois, establishing its first production footprint in the United States. This strategic move was aimed at enhancing the company's ability to supply the North American market with its portfolio of biodegradable ingredients of natural origin, which includes erythritol. By localizing production, the company sought to improve supply chain resilience and reduce lead times for its customers in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, reinforcing its position as a leading global producer of fermentation-based ingredients.
• In August 2024, Cargill opened a new state-of-the-art blending facility at its processing site in Pandaan, Indonesia. This expansion was intended to strengthen the company's ability to serve the growing Asian market by developing specialized solutions for sugar confectionery. The facility focused on combining starches, sweeteners, and texturizers to create multi-sensorial experiences for products like gummies and hard candies. This investment allowed the company to shorten supply chains and accelerate the development of innovative, texture-driven sweetener solutions tailored to regional consumer preferences.
• In April 2024, Tereos inaugurated a new Customer Innovation Centre in Aalst, Belgium, to enhance its collaborative capabilities with European clients. The facility was equipped with specialized laboratories and a demonstration kitchen, allowing technical teams to work closely with customers on product reformulation and development. A key focus of the center was to leverage the company's broad range of plant-based ingredients, including cereal-based sweeteners and fibers, to address consumer demands for calorie reduction and improved nutritional profiles in applications such as confectionery, bakery, and pharmaceuticals.
• In January 2024, Ingredion Incorporated announced a strategic investment and collaboration with Better Juice, a food technology startup specializing in sugar reduction. This partnership aimed to accelerate the commercialization of an innovative enzymatic technology in the United States that converts simple sugars in fruit-based liquids into prebiotic fibers and non-digestible sugars. The initiative was designed to expand the company's extensive portfolio of sugar reduction capabilities, which includes polyols and high-intensity sweeteners, thereby offering beverage manufacturers new ways to reduce sugar content while maintaining clean labels and nutritional benefits.

Key Market Players

• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Cargill, Inc.
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Roquette Frères S.A.
• International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
• Tereos S.A.
• Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG
• B Food Science Co., Ltd.
• BENEO GmbH
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

By Type	By Form	By Application	By Function	By Region
Sorbitol Erythritol Maltitol Mannitol lactitol Isomalt Xylitol Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate and Others	Powder/Crystal and Liquid/Syrup	Beverages Bakery & Confectionery Dairy Oral Care Pharmaceuticals and Others	Bulking Agents Flavouring or Sweetening Agents Excipients Humectants and Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Polyol Sweeteners Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Polyol Sweeteners Market, By Type:

• Sorbitol
• Erythritol
• Maltitol
• Mannitol
• lactitol
• Isomalt
• Xylitol
• Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate and Others

• Polyol Sweeteners Market, By Form:

• Powder/Crystal and Liquid/Syrup

• Polyol Sweeteners Market, By Application:

• Beverages
• Bakery & Confectionery
• Dairy
• Oral Care
• Pharmaceuticals and Others

• Polyol Sweeteners Market, By Function:

• Bulking Agents
• Flavouring or Sweetening Agents
• Excipients
• Humectants and Others

• Polyol Sweeteners Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE