Industrial Starch Market By Type (Native Starch, Modified Starch, Starch Derivatives & Sweeteners), By Source (Corn, Wheat, Potato, Cassava, Sorghum, Barley, Others), By Function (Thickening Agent, Stabilizing Agent, Binding Agent, Gelling Agent, Emulsifier, Film-forming Agent, Others), By Form (Powder, Granules, Liquid, Flakes), By Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Distributors & Wholesalers, Online Sales, Retail Stores), and By End User (Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Paper & Packaging Companies, Textile Manufacturers, Pharmaceutical Companies, Adhesive Manufacturers, Animal Feed Producers, Others), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

---

What trends will shape Industrial Starch Market in the coming years?

The Industrial Starch Market accounted for USD 124.64 Billion in 2024 and USD 134.59 Billion in 2025 is expected to reach USD 290.02 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 7.98% between 2025 and 2035. The industrial starch market describes the international trade of and production of starch, which is a crop product of corn, wheat, potato, and cassava crops, being used as a raw material in other industries like prepared foods, among others. Industrial starch is used in various processes such as the food industry, pulp and paper industry, textile industries, adhesives, and medicines, among others. It is considered valuable in its thickening, binding, and stabilising properties. Its use has increased in bioplastics and packaging as people endear themselves towards eco-friendly and biodegradable products. Developing industrialisation, the demand of consumers that prefer natural ingredients, and technological changes in the concept of starch modification lead to developments in the market.

What do industry experts say about the Industrial Starch market trends?

“Biocarbon‑filled starch composites offer enhanced barrier and mechanical properties—enabling sustainable packaging and bioplastics derived from renewable sources.”

• Amar K. Mohanty, PhD, Professor & Distinguished Chair in Sustainable Biomaterials, University of Guelph

“Industrial starch processing—when combined with advanced engineering—can bridge farm-to-factory efficiency and unlock high‑value food and non‑food applications.”

• C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, NIIST (India)

Which segments and geographies does the report analyze?

What are the key drivers and challenges shaping the Industrial Starch market?

How does rising demand for biodegradable packaging boost starch market?

The increased consumption of biodegradable packages has a positive impact on the industrial starch market because starch is used to make materials that could be a green substitute for the existing plastics, which are non-renewable. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India produced 4 million tonnes or more of plastic waste annually, with a major part comprised of non-recyclable single-use plastics.

The government of India reacted by placing a ban on most single-use plastic products in the year 2022, forcing manufacturers to consider the alternatives of sustainable packaging. One of the main raw materials used to make biodegradable films and other packaging materials that break down in the environment and reduce plastic waste is starch, which is found in large quantities in crops like corn, potatoes, and cassava, among others.

Research on the potential for starch-based biodegradable packaging solutions is conducted by educational institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), demonstrating that it is both feasible and possible. Because starch is readily available locally and government policies are encouraging greener options, industrial starch markets will continue to see strong demand from businesses switching to biodegradable packaging to comply with regulations and satisfy consumers regarding sustainability.

Will expanding pharmaceutical applications drive industrial starch market growth globally?

The increase in the use of pharmaceuticals is one of the main parameters boosting the industrial starch market globally. As a result of its natural abundance, biodegradability, and non-toxicity, starch is highly utilised in pharmaceuticals in the form of a binder, a disintegrant, and a filler in tablets and capsules. An example is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted starch derivatives as generally safe excipients in drug formulations, and this validates their widespread use.

According to universities and other pharmaceutical research centres, starch enhances drug release patterns and stability of tablets, thus making it indispensable in oral solid dosage forms. Moreover, farmers' statistics indicate that there is a gradual growth in the number of crops that are used to make starch, such as corn and potatoes, to satisfy the demand of the pharmaceutical companies.

The flexibility of starch and other modified types like pregelatinized starch makes it applicable in controlled-release medication, which still adds to the starch market. With the increasing presence of healthcare industries across the world, particularly in emerging economies, the demand for pharmaceutical-grade starch keeps escalating, justifying the fact that industrial starch is potentially a key market driver.

Could alternative additives reduce industrial starch demand in various sectors?

Substitution additives can indeed restrain the use of industrial starch in various markets. As an example, the emergence of bio-based polymers and synthetic thickeners in the food, paper, and textile businesses provides potential alternatives to the current resources to carry out similar roles with better properties, based on their being more stable or cost-effective. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reporting that the development of bioplastics and cellulose-based additives is on the rise and that the production of bioplastics has shown an upward trend of more than 20% growth in the previous years, showing that there is a move to shift to alternative materials.

The study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) stresses the fact that biopolymers that are already created and engineered and designed additives based on enzymes are becoming increasingly used in industry, which can reduce the consumption of starch. These alternatives are particularly necessary in industries that want to maximise their production performance or minimise their environmental impact. Therefore, although starch will continue to be used as a staple, the slow adoption of alternative additives that are supported by advances in technology and sustainability objectives will limit its market penetration in the industry in the future.

Can emerging economies’ infrastructure development increase starch product utilization?

The infrastructure development in the emerging economies is one of the key factors in enhancing the use of starch products, especially in the food processing, paper, textiles, and bio-based materials industries. Better infrastructure, including an improved transport system, enhanced manufacturing, and improved logistics, makes the production and distribution of starch-based products more efficient.

As an illustration, South Asian and Sub-Saharan African countries have grown infrastructure investment by more than 5% of their GDP in the last decade, and have made it possible to see an increase in their industrial growth. The growth stimulates the demand for starch derivatives in packaging, adhesives, and biodegradable materials. Moreover, improved rural infrastructure will give agriculture a boost through the increment in supply and quality of starch-rich crops such as corn and cassava that will help increase the supply of raw materials.

A new report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) indicates that the productivity of starch crops has increased by 15-20% during the last several years due to the increased agricultural infrastructure that has developed in the emerging markets, which in turn has facilitated the growth in the starch industry. So, it has been a positive feedback loop of infrastructure development leading to the use of starch products, availability of raw material, and processing abilities of industry.

Is innovation in starch derivatives creating new market growth possibilities?

Starch derivatives are also under innovation, which indeed is pushing up new growth opportunities in the industrial starch market. Techniques to modify starch molecules, e.g., through enzymatic treatment, chemical reaction, or mixing with other biopolymers, are leading to greater functionality and increasing the potential of using these starch derivatives in food, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and biodegradable food packaging.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) predicts that the U.S. global need for modified starches will increase since industries want to convert to sustainable and renewable sources of materials in place of synthetics. In the summary by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the research about starch-based biodegradable films is a part of continuous research work that is increasing environmental regulations and the popularity of eco-friendly products among consumers. These developments lead to an increase in the number of applications in the field of green packaging and pharmaceutical excipients, consequently creating new market opportunities within the scope of the sustainability trend and facilitated by regulations.

What are the key market segments in the Industrial Starch industry?

Based on the type, the Industrial Starch Market has been classified into Native Starch, Modified Starch, Starch Derivatives & Sweeteners. The leading division in the industrial starch market is the modified starch. Such domination is prompted by the fact that, due to its improved functional properties, i.e., better stability, texture, and resistance to processing conditions, it becomes highly more effective in various industrial applications.

The native starches have found limited uses in paper, textiles, adhesives, and construction, because modified starches are needed. The tendency toward processed and convenience foods is another factor that contributes to increasing the utilisation of modified starch in the food industry. This is because of its versatility and better performance, making it the most preferred type in this market.

Based on the Source, the Industrial Starch Market has been classified into Corn, Wheat, Potato, Cassava, Sorghum, Barley, and Others. The most prevailing input in the industrial starch market is corn. It has better starch yield and cost-effectiveness and requires minimal form of processing, hence making it the most used raw material, especially in industry.

The cornflour is widely applicable in the paper industry, textile industry, food production industry, and adhesive industries because of its flexibility and easy processing. Its dominance is also reinforced through a well-developed corn supply chain, particularly in the main areas of production, such as in North America.

Which regions are leading the Industrial Starch market, and why?

The North American industrial starch market holds a dominant position because of the established agricultural foundation and the developed food industry. The area is advantaged with the mass production of major crops, whose main ingredients of starch, corn, and potatoes are staples in the area and make it cost-effective. Starch application innovations and growth are driven by good technological support and consumer desire for processed foods and bio-based products. There are also large players in the industries, and the government policies of the country favour the bioeconomy and sustainable production, adding to the pace of growth in the market.

The diversified industrial industries of North America, such as paper, textile, and pharmaceutical fields, depend largely on starch derivatives, bolstering the supremacy of the area in this market. Overall, the dominance of North America in the industrial starch industry is based on the combination of availability of resources, adoption of technology, and market demand.

The Asia Pacific industrial starch market is leading due to a rapidly growing population, a powerful base in the agricultural sector, and food and beverage industry development. Some of the countries, such as China, India, and Thailand, are major producers of raw materials, and some of the raw materials are corn, cassava, and potatoes, which are used as a source of starch extraction. Industrialisation and urbanisation that have been on the rise have created more demand for processed and convenience foods, where starch is used as a thickening, binding, and stabilising agent.

The availability of cheap labour and a conducive government policy promote the manufacturing and processing of starch in the area. In addition, the surge in demand for industrial starch in the fields of textile, paper, drug, and packaging industries is encouraging in the long run. The region is also the leader in the world market because of technological advances and investments in starch modifications.

What does the competitive landscape of the Industrial Starch market look like?

A small number of well-known international companies, including Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, Cargill, and Roquette Frères, dominate the competitive industrial starch market. In order to meet the growing demand in a variety of industries, including the food, pharmaceutical, and paper sectors, the companies are continuously investing in expansion, in terms of capacity and innovation. Tate & Lyle is placing a strong emphasis on sustainable starch manufacturing methods, and Ingredion has recently taken steps to increase its starch portfolio through strategic acquisitions.

Cargill has also contributed to the enhancement of its stream of bioproducts by utilising starch-based substitutes for environmentally friendly applications. Further, smaller market actors such as AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG and Avebe are increasing their capacities to produce in Europe to benefit from the booming trend of bio-based materials. In general, technological development, sustainability practices, and international expansion are the forces moulding the competitive environment in the market and encouraging its development and differentiation among the major players

Industrial Starch Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

To explore in-depth analysis in this report - Request Sample Report

Which recent mergers, acquisitions, or product launches are shaping the Industrial Starch industry?

• In February 2025, Ingredion announced a $50 million modernization of its Cedar Rapids, Iowa plant. The upgrade expanded industrial starch capacity focused on sustainable packaging and paper markets. It improved biodegradability and recyclability for containerboard and paper producers.
• In December 2024, CSIR-IICT in Hyderabad developed a nanocellulose-engineered starch granule. It was certified for use in compostable plastics. This marked progress in replacing synthetic polymers with eco-friendly packaging alternatives.

Report Coverage:

By Type

• Native Starch
• Modified Starch
• Starch Derivatives & Sweeteners

By Source

• Corn
• Wheat
• Potato
• Cassava
• Sorghum
• Barley
• Others

By Function

• Thickening Agent
• Stabilizing Agent
• Binding Agent
• Gelling Agent
• Emulsifier
• Film-forming Agent
• Others

By Form

• Powder
• Granules
• Liquid
• Flakes

By Distribution Channel

• Direct Sales
• Distributors & Wholesalers
• Online Sales
• Retail Stores

By End User

• Food & Beverage Manufacturers
• Paper & Packaging Companies
• Textile Manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Adhesive Manufacturers
• Animal Feed Producers
• Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Ingredion Incorporated
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Roquette Frères
• AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
• Emsland Group
• Avebe U.A.
• Horizon Global Group
• MGP Ingredients, Inc.
• WEPA Group GmbH
• Südstärke GmbH
• Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
• KMC (Kellogg’s Potato Starch Division)
• Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
• PT Indolakto

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)