Sweeteners

The world faces a challenge with increasing levels of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes.  Replacing traditional sugar sweeteners with low calorie alternatives can contribute to addressing this challenge. The hemicellulose co-product of our Verve specialty cellulose operations can be used to produce xylose – the intermediate chemical required to make xylitol.  Xylitol delivers oral health benefits whilst providing all the taste and sweetness of sugar with only half the calories.  It is also suitable for consumption by diabetics.

Most xylose produced globally is manufactured by the hydrolysis of corn cobs – a process which is energy intensive and has significant environmental challenges.  Sappi’s xylose is wood-based and has the same sustainability and forest stewardship credentials of Verve production which provides the raw material for the process.

Sappi has developed and patented unique technology for the production of xylose – this technology has been extensively trialled and piloted and is now ready for commercial deployment.