As the world's largest cassava producer, Nigeria has a clear opportunity to produce sorbitol locally and serve demand across multiple industries. Sorbitol is widely used in pharmaceutical and food processing industries, where it functions as both a sweetener and a humectant. Though produced from glucose, commonly derived from corn starch, cassava's high starch content provides a viable alternative feedstock.
Growing Demand and Import Gap
A report by the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA), an initiative of the Lagos Business School Pan-Atlantic University, shows that Nigeria's sweetener demand is large and growing, expected to reach approximately 2.15 million metric tonnes in 2026 against domestic production capacity of just 53,000 MT. This means local supply covers only 2.5 percent of demand, with the balance met through imports.
NCIA noted that import dependence is even more pronounced for industrial polyols like sorbitol, which serves specialised applications in sugar-free confectionery, pharmaceutical formulations, and oral care. Nigeria imported approximately 7,700 MT of sorbitol valued at $6.1 million in 2023, according to UN Comtrade.
Local Production Initiative
The report identifies Psaltry International Company Limited as one of the few domestic players moving to close this gap. In August 2022, it commissioned Nigeria's first cassava-based sorbitol plant in Iseyin, Oyo State, with a production capacity of 25 tons per day as stated in the company's profile.
In a recent visit to the company's sorbitol and maltose facility, NCIA observed the production process first-hand. Enumerating the method of processing cassava to sorbitol for the benefit of producers, the report reveals that six steps are required.
Step-by-Step Production Process
- Cassava Intake and Screening: Cassava roots are logged at entry, with farm source details recorded for traceability. The roots are then weighed and sampled, and starch meters are used to assess whether they meet the required standard for processing; otherwise, they are rejected.
- Washing, Sorting, and Chopping: Accepted cassava is washed to remove soil, stones, and other foreign material. It is then sorted and chopped into smaller pieces to improve milling efficiency and create a more uniform feed for the next stage.
- Milling and Starch Extraction: The chopped cassava is wet milled into slurry. From this slurry, starch is separated from pulp, peel, fibre, and other waste. This is an important process, as starch recovery directly affects downstream yield.
- Starch Purification and Drying: The extracted starch slurry is thickened and purified using equipment such as a hydrocyclone, then passed through filtration to reduce moisture. It is then dried using steam to produce a more stable starch intermediate for further processing.
- Conversion of Starch into Sorbitol: The starch is first converted into glucose syrup through enzymatic breakdown. That glucose-rich syrup is then hydrogenated to convert the glucose into sorbitol. This is the core transformation step that turns cassava-derived starch into an industrial sweetener.
- Purification and Packaging: After conversion, the sorbitol is further refined to improve colour and remove residual chemicals, including through ion exchange. Once it meets the required standard, it is packed into drums for industrial customers.
Applications and Market Potential
NCIA revealed that sorbitol is used across a range of products. In oral care, it is a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash, while chewing gum, pharmaceuticals, and confectioneries contribute to the demand. Its ability to retain moisture and provide controlled sweetness makes it valuable in several industrial applications.
Psaltry's sorbitol plant demonstrates cassava's potential as a high-value industrial input beyond traditional food uses. As local production scales, stronger domestic offtake could help reduce import dependence and support the growth of a more competitive market for cassava-based industrial products.
