Guangdong Food Industry Institute (GDFII) will embark on this 1,500 tonne project next month, with the first phase expected to realise an annual capacity of 500 tonnes.
An artificial sweetener, Sucralose is noncaloric and can be used when baking products that require a longer shelf life. It is manufactured by using the selective chlorination of table sugar to change its structure, but this process has caused widespread criticism – much of it as a result of its poisonous, chlorine-based byproducts.
Patented method
“The production uses several patented treatment technologies designed to protect the environment. The chlorinated sucrose byproduct is difficult to biodegrade so we have implemented a brand new process with catalysis and oxidation to successfully and safely degrade it,” said Sanyong Wang, president of L&P Food Ingredient Company and GDFII.
China’s sucralose industry has developed rapidly over the last decade to the point that there are now more than a dozen manufacturers in the country. However, according to GDFII, sucralose players have been facing increased pressure over environmental issues, with the government getting tougher on chlorinated sucralose pollution.
Health benefits
“We gave up on expanding blindly, and dedicated our full resources to search for an environmentally friendly production process,” said Wang. “After four years’ work, we finally developed this production process. It achieves zero-emission sucralose manufacturing and received praise from National Development and Reform Commission.
“At the same time, sucralose manufacturers are facing a great opportunity. With further understanding of this common food additive, we can begin to develop the idea of its unlimited usage for various serious health issues.”
L&P and GDFII were the first companies to manufacture sucralose in China, and has been involved in the production of food additives for 30 years.