Published November 2006
Sucralose (4,1’,6’-trichloro-4,1’,6’-trideoxygalactosucrose) is a high intensity sweetener used in tabletop and beverage applications. The manufacturer of sucralose, Tate & Lyle, markets it under the trade name Splenda®.
Since its initial approval in the United States in 1998; (R0602001) it has achieved meteoric growth in market share. It accounts for 50% of the volume for tabletop sweeteners. Sales in 2004 of $172 M exceeded the combined sales of its closest competitors Equal® (aspartame) and Sweet n Low® (saccharin).
Due to its phenomenal growth in market share Tate & Lyle in 2005 announced plans to triple the production capacity of sucralose to 2,000 tons/year (4.4 million lb/year) by debottlenecking the existing facility in McIntosh, Alabama and constructing a new grass-roots facility in Singapore (R0602004). In addition to the expansions by Tate & Lyle, Pharmed Medicare has announced plans to construct a 1,000 metric ton/year (2.2 million lb/yr) facility (R0602010) in India.
In this review we analyze the technical and economics aspects for the production of sucralose in a 2.2 million lb/yr (1,000 t/yr) facility. This review is based on recent patents issued to Tate & Lyle and McNeil Specialty Products Company.
This report should be of interest to manufacturers and consumers of sweeteners and high intensity sweeteners.
