Refined Sugar
Refined sugar is pure (or close to pure as can feasibly be obtained) sucrose obtained from raw sugar sources, 
namely sugar cane and sugar beet. The bulk of refined sugar is produced from sugar cane as sugar cane is the more easily cultivated crop in the major sugar producing countries of Brazil, India, China, Australia, and Thailand.
Refining Sugar
Sugar is commonly refined using two major processes, affination, and carbonization. The first of these processes, affination, is a relatively simple process which involves taking raw sugar, mixing it with a high sugar syrup to create a liquid called ‘magma’, and then sending the mixture into a chamber which rotates at very high speeds. These chambers are called ‘centrifugal chambers’ and as the solution is spun inside, it separates into liquid and solid components. The liquid is drawn away, taking much of the contamination with it, and what is left behind are the sugar crystals, now much lighter in color, and more concentrated in sucrose.
Although affination is a very effective refining process, there is still usually an unacceptable level of contamination and coloration left in the sugar after affination is complete, so carbonization is needed to finish the refining process. The first step in carbonization involves diluting the crystals into a liquid solution that is 50% liquid and 50% sugar.
The next step is where the term ‘carbonization’ originates, as milk of lime is added to the liquid sugar solution. As it travels through the solution, the milk of lime forms deposits of calcium carbonate. Contaminants and colorants are both attracted to the forming calcium carbonate and caught up in its molecular structure, being carried away with the chalky material as it settles on the bottom of the carbonization tank.
When carbonization is finished all that remains in the solution is water and sucrose. It is worth noting at this point that in some cases, phosphorous may be used instead of milk of lime, and in those cases this process is often called ‘phosphorization’.
Once affination and carbonization are complete, it simply remains to extract the sucrose from the solution once more. The sugar solution is therefore boiled to remove excess water and concentrate it to the point where sugar crystals begin to form. Sugar dust may be added to the cooled boiled solution to speed this process up.
Once sugar crystals have grown the solution is once more sent into a centrifugal chamber where the crystals are separated from the liquid for the last time. The product of this process is refined sugar of the highest commercially available grade – ICUMSA 45.
Whilst affination and carbonization are the two main standard refining processes, one should be aware that they are used quite differently in various refineries around the world. Many refineries develop their own processes, adapting the technology to suit both their raw product and desired output. For example, in some cases carbonization may be the only step used in refining sugar. This is quite common when a partially processed raw sugar product known as VHP raw sugar is used, as opposed to completely raw sugar. In these cases, the refining process may be known as ‘one strike’ refining.
ICUMSA Ratings
Refined sugar is often referred to as ‘ICUMSA 45′. This rating system originates from the International Commission For Uniform Methods Of Sugar Analysis, a body which was formed to develop methods for testing sugar that could be used effectively anywhere in the world. It is safe to say that they have been very successful in their mission, as ICUMSA ratings are now the global benchmark for sugar ratings, and all reputable traders use this ratings system to test and describe their products.
ICUMSA ratings are determined by colormetric analysis using a device that measures the amount of light a sample reflects and/or absorbs. During testing a sugar sample is inserted into the colorimeter, and beams of light at various frequencies are fired at it. Highly refined sugar has a sparkling white color and therefore absorbs very little light at all. The ICUMSA reading is therefore also rather low at 45 rbu (reference base units). In order for testing to be carried out effectively, the proper equipment must be used, and it must also be calibrated correctly. For this reason it is standard procedure to have independent testers carry out inspections to determine the ICUMSA ratings of sugar. SGS inspectors are the industry preferred professionals for this task.
Less refined sugar has higher ICUMSA ratings of 100 or 150, whereas raw sugar can have an ICUMSA rating of anywhere between ICUMSA 600 and 4000. ICUMSA 800 is generally regarded as being the cut off point at which sugar is no longer safe for human consumption.
Is Refined Sugar Bad For You?
Refined sugar has a bad reputation in some circles because it is regarded as being an unhealthy processed food. Certainly refined sugar has had the contamination that is present in its raw state removed, and as a result also no longer contains the ‘good’ contaminants such as magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium which are often found in raw sugar. As a trade off however, the biological contaminants which can cause illness in humans have also been removed, so there is no risk to the consumer when consuming refined sugar.
Raw sugar as it is produced prior to processing is not regarded as being safe for human consumption because it can contain very high bacteria counts which can lead to illness. As a result, consumable raw sugars such as Turbinado, Demerera, and Muscovado sugar all must also undergo some type of purification before being sold to consumers to ensure that they do not contain dangerous bacteria.
Much of the idea that refined sugar is bad comes from the perception that refined (and therefore ‘processed’) foods contain additives and chemicals which are bad. In the case of sugar, this perception is false. Refined sugar is simply sucrose. It contains no preservatives or additives or other chemicals which can cause harm.
Refined Sugar Export
Because of our possition in the Brazilian sugar market, where we have multiple direct suppliers to chose from, we are able to source sugar at the lowest possible price at any given time. Please contact us through this contact form below and let us know your detailed requirements. We will get back to you with sugar price quotation and availability.