China started sorbitol production from late 1950s,stimulated by the production of vitamin C.
China is growing strong in the production of sorbitol. The quality of Chinese solid sorbitol, crystalline sorbitol in particular, has been improved. It seems that, with the improvement of Chinese sorbitol quality, the import of sorbitol will decrease and the export will increase in the future.
More and more minor producers will stop production in the future. Some large manufacturers, including the joint ventures in China, are dominating the Chinese production. Besides, foreign-funded companies are expanding their share in China’s sorbitol production.
In respect to consumption, vitamin C, is still the largest application field for sorbitol in China, and it has constituted over 50% of China’s sorbitol distribution. At the same time, candy, beverage, pharmaceutical and polyether polyalcohol, are developing rapidly and demanding for increasing quantities of sorbitol.