BENEO-Palatinit - Functional Carbohydrates for Healthier Food and Beverage Processing

'Healthy sugar' or 'sweet alternatives' – carbohydrates that are made from sugar but offer properties such as reduced calories, toothfriendliness, a low glycemic effect or prolonged energy release - form the basis of BENEO-Palatinit's success.

Based in Mannheim, Germany, BENEO-Palatinit was founded in 1979 and, with more than 30% of Südzucker's total profit, is one of the fastest growing members of Europe’s largest sugar producer. It is part of the Functional Food Group BENEO, founded in autumn 2007, which also includes BENEO-Orafti and BENEO-Remy.

Production technology, formulation development and product optimisation

BENEO-Palatinit employs some 200 people in Mannheim and at its production facilities in Offstein/Palatinate. The company has a global presence with subsidiaries in the USA and Singapore, as well as 45 sales agencies in various countries. Moreover, BENEO-Palatinit offers comprehensive service and consultancy to customers, including production technology, formulation development and product optimisation as well as regulatory advice, market research and marketing support.

BENEO-Palatinit manufactures the internationally approved products ISOMALT, Isomaltulose (Palatinose™) and galenIQ™, all of which are derived from pure beet sugar. Each product is characterised by its toothfriendliness, low glycaemic response and a mild, sugar-like sweetness.

BENEO-Palatinit has been ISO 9001 certified since 1994.

Isomaltulose (Palatinose™) - the functional, non-fermentable, low glycaemic carbohydrate

BENEO-Palatinit markets the new sugar Isomaltulose (Palatinose™). The disaccharide is produced exclusively from pure beet sugar. Its sensory profile closely resembles that of sugar and is about half as sweet. This mild, natural sweetness is not marred by any unpleasant side- or after-taste.

Isomaltulose (Palatinose™) is the only low glycemic carbohydrate that provides prolonged energy in the form of glucose to the body and promotes fat oxidation. It is therefore highly suitable for use in energy-, sport- and wellness drinks, in dairy products, and in cereal and nutritional bars. Moreover, as a non-fermentable carbohydrate, it also stabilises the food matrix against bacterial spoilage.

Isomaltulose (Palatinose™) is non-hygroscopic, so it does not cake and remains dry and free-flowing, even with prolonged storage and at high temperatures. This means that it is very readily processed into both ready-to-drink beverages and instant drinks. Under normal storage conditions and at moderate temperatures, it has the same storage characteristics as sugar. Isomaltulose (Palatinose™) replaces sugar in a 1:1 ratio in formulations and can be processed in exactly the same way.

ISOMALT - sugar-made, sugar-like, sugar-free

Derived from pure beet sugar, ISOMALT has a mild, sugar-like sweetness devoid of any aftertaste and without any distracting cooling effect. Thus, it enhances delicately-flavoured fruity sweets better than other sugar replacers. However, if a cooling effect is desired, this can be achieved by the addition of flavours.

With tailor-made variants the ISOMALT family is available for a wide range of applications. Since all ISOMALT variants contain only half of the calories of sugar, are toothfriendly and have almost no effect on blood glucose and insulin levels, they are found in a large number of products that are designed to taste naturally sweet but offer full indulgence without guilt. Currently, more than 2,000 products are made with ISOLMALT worldwide, and in the sugarfree hard candies segment, ISOMALT is the number one ingredient around the globe.

Their low hygroscopicity provides them with the additional advantage that they do not become sticky at high temperatures, at summer temperatures, or in humid air. This means they do not need to be packed individually but can be stored in loose packaging such as flip-top boxes or in tubes.