Product Overview & China Production Capacity
Xylitol (CAS 87-99-0, molecular formula C₅H₁₂O₅, MW 152.15) is a five-carbon sugar alcohol with sweetness equal to sucrose, used as a non-cariogenic sweetener, humectant, and cooling-effect agent in pharmaceutical oral care products, chewing gums, and sugar-free formulations. China is the world’s dominant xylitol producer with annual capacity exceeding 200,000 metric tons, representing over 70% of global production. Major facilities in Shandong, Anhui, Inner Mongolia, and Henan provinces produce xylitol from corncob hemicellulose through acid hydrolysis and catalytic hydrogenation.
In pharmaceutical and oral care applications, xylitol inhibits Streptococcus mutans growth, reducing dental caries risk. It serves as a directly compressible sweetener for chewable tablets and lozenges, a humectant in oral rinses, and a nasal irrigation isotonic agent. Chinese manufacturers use abundant agricultural waste (corncobs) as the xylose feedstock source, providing a cost-effective and sustainable production route for high-purity pharmaceutical-grade xylitol.
Manufacturing Standards & Quality Assurance
Production facilities hold China ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000, and kosher/halal certifications. Quality testing includes assay (HPLC), melting point, reducing sugars, other polyols (sorbitol, mannitol, arabitol), nickel, arsenic, lead, heavy metals, loss on drying, residue on ignition, and microbial limits. Products conform to USP/NF, EP, FCC, JP, and ChP monograph specifications.
Production involves acid hydrolysis of corncob hemicellulose to release xylose, followed by purification (activated carbon, ion exchange), catalytic hydrogenation over Raney nickel, and multi-stage crystallization. Post-hydrogenation nickel removal achieves residual levels below 1 ppm. Crystallization conditions are precisely controlled to produce uniform crystal size and optimal flowability for direct compression applications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 87-99-0 |
| Molecular Formula | C₅H₁₂O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 152.15 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Assay (HPLC, dry basis) | ≥98.5% |
| Melting Point | 92–96 °C |
| Reducing Sugars | ≤0.2% |
| Nickel | ≤1 ppm |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤0.5 ppm |
| Pharmacopoeial Compliance | USP/NF, EP, FCC, JP, ChP |
Packaging & Export Logistics
Xylitol is packed in 25 kg PE-lined kraft bags or 25 kg fiber drums, palletized and stretch-wrapped. Bulk supply in 500 kg or 1,000 kg FIBCs is available. Lead time is 7–12 business days. FOB from Qingdao, Shanghai, or Tianjin; CIF and DDP terms supported.
Documentation includes CoA, SDS, kosher/halal certificates, non-GMO declaration, and commercial shipping paperwork. Non-hazardous classification ensures straightforward international logistics.
China Supply Advantage
China’s abundant corncob biomass resources and efficient hydrogenation technology deliver xylitol at 30–50% below Western production costs. The sustainable agricultural waste valorization pathway resonates with growing demand for bio-based pharmaceutical ingredients. Chinese xylitol producers supply oral care, food, and pharmaceutical companies in over 80 countries with consistent quality and the scale to handle orders from sample quantities to multi-container shipments.