Starch Pros

July 12^th 2016

Starch improves barrier properties of PE-films.

Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research is working on the development of industrial films from a blend of thermoplastic starch and polyethylene. The great advantage of the combination of these materials is that they improve the barrier properties of a plastic film. Wageningen UR cooperates with potato-starch and protein cooperation Avebe and chemical company Sabic in this project. The films that will be developed are interesting for applications in (food)packaging.

Polyethylene is very waterproof, but doesn’t have a good barrier to oxygen. Starch has a good oxygen barrier, but it is not water resistant. A good mixture of both materials should form a barrier to oxygen and water. An important advantage is that starch is produced from renewable raw materials such as potatoes. In addition, a cost-efficient production is possible. The combination of both materials in a blend is currently not used for the production of films, but is potentially very interesting. Gradually bio-based films should replace the existing petroleum-made films.

According to project leader Frans Kappen from Wageningen, the researchers focus primarily on three key questions: “First, we want to know what the most important factors are to make a good blend. The flow properties of both components must be coordinated. Next, we want to develop concepts to reduce the moisture sensitivity of this type of blends. And finally, we want to ensure that the different components in the blend have a good cohesion with each other. We must solve these research questions in order to ensure that the film forms the desired barrier to both water and oxygen, that the film is strong enough and that it doesn’t delaminate.”

The SPECIFIC project is part of a major research program: Biobased Performance Materials (BPM). The objective of this program is to develop high-quality materials from biomass. These materials are applied on an increasingly larger scale in practice. The research focuses on two types of materials: polymers that plants make themselves and polymers from bio-based building blocks that are created through biotechnology or chemical catalysis. BPM is co-financed from the Top Sector Chemistry and is led by Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research.

Source: http://www.wageningenur.nl/en/newsarticle/Starch-improves-barrier-properties-of-PE-films.htm

July 11^th 2016

Tate & Lyle to Highlight Clean Label Concepts at IFT Food Expo.

Tate & Lyle will serve up food-truck-inspired fare that delivers on global flavor trends at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in Chicago, July 17-19 (booth #1248).

“This year, the IFT menu showcases our extensive portfolio of solutions for extraordinary eating experiences that are driven by global consumer demands,” said Luis Fernandez, Senior Vice President of Global Applications for Tate & Lyle. “We are thrilled to present this creative lineup during IFT’s hallmark event, where ideas are exchanged and innovations are introduced.”

These new creations feature innovative ingredients from Tate & Lyle’s broad portfolio to deliver outstanding results for food and beverage manufacturers and their consumers. The featured ingredients include the newly introduced CLARIA Delight tapioca-based starches and other texturants to help customers create sensory experiences that today’s consumers expect; sweetening solutions to achieve sugar and calorie reduction; and a diverse fiber portfolio that helps manufacturers create “better for you” products.”

Tate & Lyle introduces an extension of its innovative line of CLARIA Functional Clean-Label Starches, CLARIA Delight tapioca-based starches. Launched at the IFT Food Expo this year, CLARIA Delight starches enable manufacturers to formulate products with cleaner labels while maintaining excellent taste, texture, color and performance.

Attendees can experience the new CLARIA Delight tapioca-based starches in a hand-crafted sweet street taco. The label-friendly taco showcases the clean-label texturant portfolio from Tate & Lyle to deliver softness in the tortilla, creamy decadence in the mousse and a pleasing thickness in the sauce.

The number of products launched with “clean-label” claims continues to grow across the globe. According to Innova Market Insights (2015), 28% of new products launched in 2015 had one or more “clean-label” claims compared to 26% in 2014 and 24% in 2013. Because of this, Tate & Lyle continues to innovate in the clean-label starch category to provide manufacturers with additional tools to create on-trend food and beverage products for their consumers.

Source: http://mediacentre.tateandlyle.com/releases/ReleaseDetailPage.aspx?Id=1254

July 01^st 2016

Avebe Confirm Plans to Build New Innovation Centre at Groningen University.

Avebe, Groningen University and project developer Triade, have confirmed that a brand new innovation centre complete with a laboratory, pilot factory, office and a client innovation centre, will be built at the Zernike complex in Groningen. Agreements on cooperation in the area of research and education have also been reached.

Ed Kraaijenzank, Finance Director of Avebe, explained: “By joining knowledge within Avebe and seeking cooperation with an important party such as the University of Groningen, we are able to make big strides when it comes to innovation. Due to the commitment from the Provincial Executive and the local authority we can do it in our own region! The new innovation centre will also provide the opportunity of showing our knowledge to our purchasers; it is a wonderful calling card for Avebe and for the region – it’s something to be proud of.”

Jan de Jeu, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Groningen University, added, “At the Zernike Campus, centre of the agrofood knowledge infrastructure in the north of the Netherlands, Avebe is able to innovate together with scientists from Groningen University and other businesses in the sector. More intensive cooperation with Avebe will lead to more research. Avebe’s wish to have direct contact with students and doctoral candidates from various faculties makes it more attractive to study here.”

Besides room for offices and research, the new complex will also have room for start-ups. This offers students and innovators the opportunity to develop their own initiatives. The new site will also provide room for 100 Avebe employees in R&D and Marketing.

The actual move is planned for the end of 2017.

Source: http://www.avebe.com/news/avebe-innovation-centre-to-groningen/

June 01^st 2016

Tate & Lyle PLC – Completion of sale of corn wet mill in Morocco.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of a Casablanca, Morocco-based corn wet mill that produces glucose and native starch.

“We continue to anticipate growing demand from Moroccan customers in the food, feed, paper and corrugated board industries, and we look forward to working with them to meet their needs,” said Chris Cuddy, president of ADM’s Corn Processing business unit. “We are excited to show customers in Morocco—and throughout the region—the benefits of working with a global company that not only will be providing great sweetener and starch products at competitive prices, but will also be able to help customers meet a wide variety of needs with an extensive and growing food and feed ingredient portfolio.”

The purchase comes after ADM completed the acquisition of several corn processing facilities in Europe last fall.

“Between this acquisition and the purchase of our former Eaststarch facilities, we are continuing to strengthen our global position in the sweetener and starch market, and our ability to meet customer needs around the world,” Cuddy continued. “We are excited about this growth in our business, and look forward to sharing the benefits with our customers and our shareholders alike.”

Source: http://www.adm.com/en-US/news/Pages/default.aspx

April 20^th 2016

Avebe and RUG in talks on new Innovation Centre.

Avebe and Groningen University are jointly looking into the possibility of housing the Avebe Innovation Centre at the Zernike Campus in the city of Groningen.

This Innovation Centre accommodates all of Avebe’s marketing and R&D facilities and is currently located in Veendam and Foxhol.

Avebe is planning to reinforce its innovative strength with a single Innovation Centre. This location will make it possible to combine internal knowledge in an inspiring setting and to develop knowledge with knowledge institutes. The focus will also be placed on partnership and contact with customers.

Avebe and Groningen University are currently holding talks with the aim of making firm agreements.

Source: http://www.avebe.com/news/

April 02^nd 2016

Growth of starch usage in new applications.

The use of starch in new global product launches tracked increased by +13% from 2014H1 to 2015H1.

The top category for tracked launches globally is bakery (27%), followed by ready meals (18%), sauces & seasonings (15%), meat (7%) and fish & eggs (6%).

Fast growing starch ingredients are tapioca (+26%) and wheat starch (+15%). With both corn and potato starch following (with 11%). Top ingredient used overall is corn starch.

New product launches tracked with health claims showed growth for clear label driven by organic (+30%) claims, gluten free (+23%), free from allergens (17%), no additives/preservatives (9%) and low fat (7%) claims.

Source: http://www.innovadatabase.com/

February 29^th 2016

Tate & Lyle’s Lafayette South plant awarded 2015 Energy Star certification.

Tate & Lyle, a leading global provider of food ingredients and solutions, is pleased to announce that its Lafayette South corn wet mill in Lafayette, Indiana, US has been awarded Energy Star certification by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its superior energy efficiency performance in 2015. This certification is awarded by the EPA annually and Tate & Lyle’s plant in Lafayette was one of nine plants to earn certification for the first time.

Edward Butt, VP Sustainability, Tate & Lyle commented: “At Tate & Lyle, we place great importance not just on what we do, but how we do it. We are working continuously wherever we can to reduce the environmental footprint of our operations, our products and their packaging, and of our supply chain. We are very proud that Lafayette South is the only corn processing plant in the US to achieve the EPA’s Energy Star certification in 2015.”

Daniel Kirk, Plant Manager Lafayette South, Tate & Lyle added: “The Energy Star certification is the result of the hard work and long term commitment to sustainability of our operations team at Tate & Lyle. It shows our sustainability approach is resulting in real improvements in our environmental performance.”

Source: http://mediacentre.tateandlyle.com/Releases/ReleaseSearchPage.aspx

February 04^th 2016

Ingredion to acquire Shandong Huanong Specialty Corn Development Co., Ltd. in China.

Ingredion Incorporated, provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Pingyuan County Juyuan State-Owned Asset Management Co., Ltd. to acquire the state-owned Shandong Huanong Specialty Corn Development Co., Ltd. in Pingyuan County, Shandong Province, China.

The acquisition supports Ingredion’s specialty ingredients business in China and has been approved by the Company’s board of directors. It is subject to approval by Chinese government authorities as well as to other customary closing conditions. Details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

“This acquisition is another step in executing our strategic blueprint for growth. It enhances our capacity in the Asia-Pacific region with a vertically integrated manufacturing base for specialty ingredients,” said Jorgen Kokke, Ingredion senior vice president and president, Asia Pacific and EMEA. “China is a growing market for our specialty starches, and this acquisition provides a base for further expansion to accommodate future market growth in China and across Asia Pacific.”

Madame Wang Hong Xia, Pingyuan County Head, said, “We welcome Ingredion as an investor in Pingyuan County. Their investment provides excellent growth and development opportunities for the work force and local economy.”

Shandong Huanong Specialty Corn Development Co., Ltd. has 146 employees.

Source: http://www.ingredionincorporated.com/news-events.html