French firm tackles sugar consumption by investing in polyols

By Liza Laws

- Last updated on GMT

© Getty Images
© Getty Images

Related tags Sweeteners sugar reduction Sugar substitute Snack

A multi-million-euro investment into liquid and powder polyols has been made by a leading ingredients firm in France.

Roquette a company that produces plant-based ingredients, plant proteins as well as pharmaceutical excipients says it will execute its plan for the production of €25m of polyols between now and 2024 at its site in Lestrem.

The company says it was driven to make the investment by the rapidly increasing trend for healthier and sustainable food and lifestyles and the huge demand for nutritional solutions

According to Euromonitor, the market of healthier food products is expected to grow by about 15% in value between 2021 and 2026.

Plant-based

Produced from plant-based raw materials such as maize or wheat, polyols are mainly used as sugar alternatives in food such as low-sugar confectionary, chocolate, chewing gum, baked goods and snacks.

Previous studies​ have highlighted the nutritional benefits of polyols for the colonic health and tooth friendliness.

In one study ‘Health potential of polyols as sugar replacers, with emphasis on low glycaemic properties’ author, Geoffrey Livesy writes: “Although polyols are not essential nutrients, they contribute to clinically recognised maintenance of a healthy colonic environment and function. A role for polyols and polyol foods to hydrate the colonic contents and aid laxation is now recognised by physicians. Polyols favour saccharolytic anaerobes and aciduric organisms in the colon, purifying the colon of endotoxic, putrefying and pathological organisms, which has clinical relevance. Polyols also contribute towards short-chain organic acid formation for a healthy colonic epithelium. Polyol tooth-friendliness and reduced energy values are affirmed and add to the potential benefits.” 

Strategic decision

In a challenging and fast-moving environment, Roquette says it remains deeply committed to upgrading its facilities and that investing in polyols was and remains a strategic decision for the group to better address long-term customer expectations.

Pascal Leroy, Senior Vice-President of Core Ingredients at Roquette said: “Today, Roquette is recognized as a global leader in polyols. We are uniquely positioned to address customers’ needs as we strive to be the best partner for the polyols markets, offering a wide range, very well adapted to all markets and backed by a global service and technical assistance network. Thanks to this investment, we will now strengthen the reliability of the supply and our global industrial footprint.​”

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Plant-based products have always been a hot topic in the market, the plant-based food market was valued at $29.4 billion in 2020.

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