Industrial Starches Market Trends

Key Emerging Trends in the Industrial Starches Market

The industrial starch market has been characterized by remarkable trends driven by changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and industry dynamics. Firstly, a notable trend is the growing demand for natural label starch ingredients across various food and non-food applications. Consumers now prefer naturally derived starches like cornstarch, wheat flour,' tapioca flour, and potato flour over chemically modified ones, given that they can now recognize what constitutes good quality products on self-ingredient labels. Secondly, demand for functional starches, which have improved properties like stability and texture viscosity, amongst others, has increased in different industries. Starches find utilization as thickeners, gelling agents, binding agents, stabilizing agents, etc., in sectors like food, drugs, textiles, and paper adhesives, among others.

With developments in food science & technology, there is an increased interest in modified starches having enhanced useful properties for specific applications.
Another important trend observed within the industrial starch segment is the use of bio-plastics made from crops such as maize instead of conventional plastics that degrade into harmful substances when exposed to sunlight or heat due to environmental reasons. Consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging alternatives made from renewable sources, such as starch-based polymers, has increased due to growing concern over plastic pollution and environmental sustainability. Due to their biodegradability, compostability, and renewable sourcing, among other factors, starch-based bioplastics are used in food packaging, disposable tableware, and single-use plastics. This perspective is attributed to the increasing focus on sustainable business practices and responsibility on the part of companies that are aiming at reducing their carbon footprint by developing more environmentally friendly products in response to changing consumer preferences.
Besides, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant consequence on the industrial starch market, thus accelerating some trends while presenting challenges for industry players. For instance, with disruptions within supply chains, changes in consumer behavior, and economic uncertainties, there has been an increased demand for starch-derived ingredients that are used in essential items like foods, medical care drugs, etc. Additionally, there has also been a keen interest on the part of food manufacturers, in particular, who need thickening binding texturizing properties as delivered by specific types of starches currently available, given the importance of ensuring food security, safety, and shelf stability amid this crisis. Moreover, changes experienced within the food service sector have had an impact on the demand for rice powder corn meal or cassava flour used during the production process, thereby affecting their sales levels.