Sugarfree trends on display
towards health and convenience in the growing sugarfree
confectionery sector at the ISM trade fair next year.
The company, a subsidiary of sugar producer group Sudzucker AG, will focus on new packaging and product trends at the show which will be held in Cologne, Germany from 28 January-31 January 2007.
Palatinit's Isomalt sugar replacer contains half the calories of sugar, is tooth-friendly and has a low glycaemic index.
The company claim it gives a 'fruitier' flavour than sugar and dissolves more slowly - making sweets taste better and last longer.
In addition, Palatinit also claim sweets made with Isomalt are stable and resistant to damage during production or storage.
Because the sweetener is non-sticky, confectionery need not be packaged separately - opening up new innovations in the field.
Palatinit say convenience-driven packaging trends in the sugarfree sector include blisters, metal clip-clap boxes, plastic bottles and dispensers in the shape of mp3-music players.
According to the company: "This sugarfree convenience at home, to go and in the car in 2005 has generated a 20 per cent growth for candy in Germany and a US sales growth of 8.8 per cent in gum between July 2005 and July 2006."
Figures from market analyst Mintel indicate that just over 34 per cent of UK consumers are now actively avoiding sugar, while in France and Germany, the figures are 40 per cent and 37 per cent respectively.
Elsewhere, sugar-free gum occupies 99 per cent of the market in Poland, 95 per cent in Russia and 92 per cent in the UK.
In France where sugar-free has a market share of 88 per cent - traditional sugar chewing gum consumption was down 16 per cent against a 13 per cent rise in sales of the sugar-free alternatives.
