By Prisca Sam-Duru

Nigeria’s appetite for sweeteners is massive and growing. The huge demand for sweeteners has proven cassava to be of great value for industries as well as Nigeria’s economy. Cassava can be processed into several high-value derivatives, including sweeteners such as sorbitol. Sorbitol is widely used in pharmaceutical and food processing applications, where it functions as both a sweetener and a humectant.

Normally, sorbitol is produced from glucose, commonly derived from corn starch, however cassava’s high starch content provides a viable alternative feedstock.

Research by the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA) shows that Nigeria’s position as the world’s largest cassava producer gives it a clear opportunity to produce sorbitol locally and serve demand across multiple industries.

According to NCIA, it has been projected that Nigeria’s sweetener demand is expected to reach approximately 2.15 million MT in 2026 against domestic production capacity of just 53,000 MT, meaning local supply covers only ~2.5% of demand, with the balance met through imports (RMRDC, 2023). Import dependence is even more pronounced for industrial polyols like sorbitol, which serve 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 (UN Comtrade via WITS 2023, HS 290544).

There are, however, a few domestic players such as Psaltry International Company Limited, which are working towards closing 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.

During a recent visit to the company’s sorbitol and maltose facility, the NCIA team observed first-hand the production process – how simple field roots are transformed into premium industrial chemicals.

From Cassava Roots to Sorbitol in 6 Steps

The process begins with 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, it is 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 uniformed feed for the next stage.

Milling and Starch Extraction: The chopped cassava is wet milled into a 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.

End Uses of Sorbitol

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,” NCIA observed.