Starch Pros

January 16^th 2023

Chinese researchers find new way to synthesize starch, proteins from corn stalk.

Chinese researchers recently developed a method of high efficiency for synthesizing artificial starch and microbial proteins from corn stalk. This method can cut the production cost of artificial starch and provide a new way to produce food.

Growing populations and climate change pose great challenges to food security. The efficient conversion of agricultural waste into artificial food is an important way to alleviate a food crisis and realize sustainable agricultural development.

The researchers from the Biotechnology Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and other China-based institutions, used a multi-enzyme molecular system and baker’s yeast to convert cellulose in corn stalks to artificial starch, and to produce microbial protein by fermentation under aerobic conditions.

The whole production process requires only a small investment in equipment, does not require coenzyme or energy input and does not lead to sugar loss, offering the possibility of producing artificial starch and microbial proteins at low cost, according to the study.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095927323000221

January 10^th 2023

Corn prices to remain elevated, says Beroe.

Global corn production has risen by approximately 11 percent over five years as a response to the rise in corn demand by roughly 14 percent during the same period. The end-user industries, including corn starch and animal feed, are the main forces behind supply and demand, impacting price trends.

The key factors driving the growth also include demand from the end-use segments, such as the citric acid market and feed industry in China, Canada switching to green fuels, and increased domestic utilizations in most countries, amid the pandemic. Unfavorable weather conditions in key growing destinations and the loss of Ukrainian grain exports also impacted the global corn market this year.

Since end-use categories are largely concentrated in the U.S. and China, these two nations are the top consumers. Concerning the corn processing end-use segments, citric acid is in high demand post-Coronavirus, while the corn starch market could rise by a CAGR of 4.8 percent in the coming years. This is causing corn demand in the US and China to grow. Top corn processors such as Cargill, ADM, and Ingredion occupy about 70-80 percent of the market share.

LATAM nations have always competed with the US for exports. However, this year dry weather conditions in Brazil, coupled with delayed plantings, are expected to impact second crop quality heavily.

Argentina mainly exports to countries in Asia and the Middle East, with Algeria, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Egypt being the top export destinations. Argentina has sold about 20 MMT of corn in the 2021/22 marketing year. About 1.2 MMT of corn was exported last week of March. Weekly export volumes of corn have surged significantly even amid war conditions.

Corn prices have remained firm and gained significantly owing to worries about the export of shipments via the Black Sea amid strong demands. Ukraine is struggling to export grains via rail as the volumes for export which were earlier shipped through the Odesa terminal, were very high and are not replaceable via rail.

Global supplies remain tight, with Ukraine struggling to export corn, the EU facing a structural deficit, slower pace of the US planting, along with Brazilian crops, threatened by dry weather. CBOT corn prices continue to gain support from these factors amid an acute shortage of fertilizers and rallying freight costs.

The European nations are constantly trying to get Ukrainian grain stocks out of the country through rails. Shipments are currently directed to Austria and Germany. Global corn prices are expected to remain elevated along the short-medium term due to ongoing supply chain disruptions and increasing production costs.

Reduction in corn shipments from Ukraine has caused European farmers to opt for genetically modified animal feed from South America and US. Non-GMO corn from Ukraine constituted half of EU imports. However, 92 percent of US corn imports are GM. Incidentally, EU companies do not have to label meat or animal products fed with GM grains.

China has bought only 126,727 MT of corn from Ukraine, compared to 1.26 MMT in 2021. Corn shipments from all origins to China between January to May fell by 2.9 percent, according to customs data, while only in May did shipment volumes fall by 34.1 percent. The Chinese feed industry demand for corn remains under pressure leading to lowered livestock margins.

Besides the supply crunch and surging corn production costs, logistics is also adding to the corn prices. Fertilizer availability remains grim, which could impact corn quality in top-production countries. The total corn production cost for the US was $634/acre. The total operating and allocated overhead costs comprise 48.7 percent and 51.3 percent of the total cost, respectively.

Corn is planted during April and May, while harvest usually begins around September. The planting and harvesting of corn influence the price trend cycles in the US. Generally, the prices trend downward between September and December due to harvest. The downward trend continues from January to March as harvest supply enters the market. Prices could then trend upward or downward between April and August, depending on demand and farmer preferences, such as rotation with soy. Costs could become more favorable for procurement as major production countries begin harvest. Supplies from US and Brazil could ease prices in the medium term.

India is planning to launch 20% ethanol mixed gasoline in 2023 to cut down alternate fuel import requirements. Oil prices are hard hit this year, due to which the country is trying to expedite efforts to increase domestic stocks. The government also plans to approve the increased use of feedstock such as corn, sugar, molasses, and damaged grains for biofuel production.

Innovation plays a vital role in the corn industry in developing new varieties for pest, insect, and disease resistance. Innovation is also used for high profitability in end-use markets like the ethanol, polyol, and sweetener industries.

Seed companies are developing new corn varieties and hybrids capable of pest resistance and increasing water use efficiency. Breeding initiatives concentrate on creating more disease-resistant corn hybrids.

Crop protection companies, such as Provivi, are working towards protecting acres of cultivation land from pest infestation. The company is expected to supply pheromone-based Mating Disruption products against Fall Armyworm infestation in corn to small-scale farmers in India.

The National Corn Growers Association is working with US farmers to improve land efficiency by 12 percent, reduce soil erosion by 13 percent, reduce GHG emissions by 13 percent, improve energy use efficiency by 13 percent and increase irrigation water use efficiency by 15 percent. The organization is committed to achieving these targets by 2030.

These efforts have the potential to influence global pricing and sustainability. While the demand for corn varies, production and distribution will always be progressive.

Source: https://www.beroeinc.com/press/corn-prices-to-remain-elevated-says-beroe/

December 15^th 2022

Wearable electronics could soon be made with a starch-based material to prevent e-waste.

Soft, wearable sensors can improve our lives, but these soft and stretchable electronic devices are nearly impossible to recycle. As a result, this electronic waste usually ends up in landfills or polluting the environment. Polymer scientists from the University of Groningen have developed a starch-based polymer that makes it possible to create a fully biodegradable soft material for sensors. They published a paper on this new material in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces on 13 December.

Soft, stretchable polymers are used to make various kinds of electronic devices. They are used for example in smart watches to make contact with the skin. Sensors in shoes or clothing are also often based on these materials, as is the screen of your smartphone. ‘These soft materials are often made from mixtures of polymers, which are difficult to purify. As a result, they are dumped in landfills, often with the toxic metal components of the sensor still present. This kind of electronic waste is becoming a serious problem’, says Xiaohong Lan, first author of the paper and postdoc at the University of Groningen Polymer Science group led by Professor Katja Loos.

Backbone
Lan, Loos, and their colleagues have developed an alternative to these complex polymers: a biodegradable material that decomposes in a matter of weeks to a few months. ‘There are easy ways to remove the metal and polymers from the e-waste’, says Lan. ‘Of course, you could try to recycle the soft polymers, but that is often too complex, and therefore too expensive.’ The researchers’ new polymer decomposes, leaving only water and carbon dioxide behind.

‘To create a biodegradable polymer, we started out with a backbone of starch-derived dextrin carbohydrates,’ explains Lan. ‘Most polymer backbones contain chemical bonds, which are very strong. The dextrin backbone can be degraded by natural enzymes that are present in soil.’ Long fatty acid tails were added to the dextrin in the backbone, and the researchers were able to use the amount of fatty acids added per glucose unit to regulate the hydrophobicity of the polymer. ‘The enzymes that degrade the polymer require water, so if a material is too hydrophobic, they cannot do it. If the polymer is too hydrophilic, on the other hand, the material will not have the right properties.’

Brushes
The material needs to be soft and stretchable, but also dielectric, which means that the sensors can charge themselves with the electricity created by rubbing against fabric. Apart from the fatty acid tail, the modified dextrin polymer was also grafted with lactone monomers in a brush-like pattern. These brushes give the material its stretchability. The resulting ‘Advanced Scalable Supersoft Elastic Transparent material’ (ASSETm) has all the right properties. Experiments revealed that it is suited to seal in electrodes to produce sensors. ‘We compared our sensors with state-of-the-art commercial sensors, and found that ours worked at least as well,’ says Lan.

The production process is scalable, so there is no reason why this biodegradable ASSETm should not replace traditional soft polymers in smart electronics. Lan: ‘However, we do have to change our attitude towards starch, which is usually seen as a food product.’ Currently, approximately 60% of all starch is used in animal feed, 30% for human consumption, and 10% in medical applications. ‘However, starch consumption is decreasing, and there is a downward trend in cattle numbers.’

Discussion
Group leader Katja Loos is also enthusiastic about the new material: ‘We hope that our paper will launch a discussion on further curbing e-waste. This degradable polymer can really help reduce the amount of e-waste.’

Source: https://www.rug.nl/sciencelinx/nieuws/2022/12/wearable-electronics-from-starch-to-prevent-e-waste?lang=en

December 08^th 2022

11^th Starch Value Chain ASIA, January 31^st and February 01^st 2023.

CMT’s 11th Starch World ASIA series is back this year with a new improved version!

Rebranding to 11th Starch Value Chain ASIA, this event brings all players in the starch supply chain to share and discuss developments on realising the full potential of starch crops, value added pathways for cassava , protein and fibre value of pulses, rice, wheat and the importance of these components in the current shift towards healthy & sustainable diets.

The event will follow through with another conference on Sustainable Plant Protein & Fermentation Solutions – as nowadays starch and protein goes hand in hand together.

Thailand is promoting a vision of bio-economy for national development based on the sugarcane and cassava sectors. The vision of bio-economy of the Government of Thailand is to modernize agriculture by adding value to raw materials from farmers’ fields.

Highlights:

• CMD resistance in Thailand in normal and waxy pipelines.
• Cassava developments in the supply zone of Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia, and the pre-emptive work on some other diseases.
• A sustainable and integrated approach for cassava starch processing in Indonesia.
• Cassava based biodegradable plastics.

Source: https://www.cmtevents.com/aboutevent.aspx?ev=230103&

November 17^th 2022

Potato starch versus potato flour: what’s the difference?

Those on a gluten-free diet may be familiar with potato starch and potato flour, but there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. One is the secret to ultra-crispy, deep-fried foods, and the other to long-lasting yeast breads. Here’s everything you need to know before you hit the baking aisle.

How is potato starch made?
Potato starch starts with washed and peeled raw potatoes. Using high-speed machinery, the starch is extracted from the potatoes, then dried. The result is a very fine, white powder, resembling cornstarch. Potato starch may also be produced as a by-product of processed potato foods, such as French fries or even potato chips.

What is potato starch used for?
Like corn starch, potato starch can be used to thicken soups, stews, sauces, or fruit pie fillings. For this reason, it makes an excellent cornstarch substitute.

Use it in place of cornstarch when deep frying foods, as it has a high-temperature endurance and gives a crisper result. Try sprinkling it on dinner rolls to keep them from going stale as quickly, or use it to dust the counter when rolling dough or fondant.

How is potato flour made?
Potato flour, like potato starch, starts with whole potatoes, but this is where their similarities end. The potatoes are cooked, dried, and ground into a fine powder. The result is a powder that’s more beige in color, similar in appearance to whole-wheat flour.

Potato flour is of course much higher in nutritional value than starch. Plus it’s rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber, making it a healthier, gluten-free alternative to wheat flour. It does have a much stronger potato flavor than potato starch.

What is potato flour used for?
Potato flour can be used in conjunction with other types of flour (such as rice flour), for gluten-free baking. However, we don’t recommend using it as the sole flour because it holds a lot of moisture and can result in a too-dense, gummy baked good.

But potato flour’s ability to absorb moisture is also its strength: Add a small amount to yeast bread to help retain the freshness of the bread.

Like other flours, potato flour makes an excellent thickening or binding agent. Try using it in breading for meat — you’ll get a crisper result than you would with wheat flour. It can also help to enhance the potato flavor in potato dishes as well, like potato rolls.

Can you use them interchangeably?
Not really. The one exception is if you’re using potato flour for the purpose of extending the shelf-life of yeast breads, potato starch can be substituted. It’s not a one-to-one ratio, however. Potato flour is mostly starch, but not all, so you’ll want to use slightly less potato starch than you would flour (a ¾:1 potato starch to potato flour ratio). Otherwise, there are better substitutes for potato starch and flour that we’ll go over below.

Substitutes for potato starch.
Starches are a lot easier to substitute for than flour. Here are some common substitutes and ratios:

Corn starch: Use one tablespoon of cornstarch for every one tablespoon of potato starch.
Tapioca Starch: Use two tablespoons of tapioca starch for every one tablespoon of potato starch.
Arrowroot Powder: Use one tablespoon of arrowroot powder for every one tablespoon of potato starch.

Substitutes for potato flour.
The best substitute for potato flour is going to be potato flakes, which is essentially potato flour that hasn’t been ground as fine. You can either dissolve it into batter for baking, or use a blender or food process to grind it into a fine powder. Potato flakes can be substituted for potato flour using a 1:1 ratio.

If you’re using potato flour as a thickener, you can substitute two tablespoons of tapioca flour for every one tablespoon of potato flour.

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=potato+starch+versus+potato+flour&ei=Qwl1Y7CeAt__7_UPl7K2sAw&start=0&sa=N&ved=2ahUKEwjwy8ykibP7AhXf_7sIHReZDcY4HhDy0wN6BAgEEAQ&biw=1553&bih=789&dpr=1

November 07^th 2022

Ingredion makes progress toward texturizer capacity expansion plans to meet increased global demand for specialty food starches.

Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global provider of ingredient solutions to the food and beverage manufacturing industry, today announced that it has completed one-third of its $160 million in capital investments to significantly expand capacity for a range of modified and clean label specialty starches across its global supply chain. At the Company’s June Investor Day, its leadership team announced $160 million in capital investments through 2024 to selectively expand and increasingly localize its production capacity to meet customers’ growing demands for specialty starches that provide texture for taste along with formulating and label-friendly options for food and beverages. In September, the Company also announced that it had opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shandong, China, which more than doubles its starch production capacity and capabilities in the country.

“Over the last year and a half, we have seen strong customer demand recovery for our starch solutions in both foodservice applications as well as traditional packaged food and beverages. In addition, the Ukraine conflict has disrupted corn and other grain markets, which has forced an increase in the cost of many food ingredients. During this time, as customers managed the challenges of rising formulation costs, they have looked to specialty starches given their versatility and affordability relative to other ingredients,” said Pierre Perez y Landazuri, senior vice president of corporate strategy, specialties and the president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

“In addition to releasing capacity through continuous improvement initiatives, the investments we have announced will enable us to meet the heightened demand more sustainably for our customers with increased local sourcing in the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific. These investments are improving our global supply chain flexibility for corn, waxy corn, tapioca, potato, and rice-based specialty starches. The actions we are taking combined with our deep market expertise, technical knowledge and decades-long experience innovating with specialty starch solutions will continue to make us a trusted partner for our customers,” concluded Perez y Landazuri.

In addition to providing capacity expansion for future growth, the moves are being made to reduce long-term delivered cost while taking into account the environmental footprint of the products being sold to customers. The Company recently announced that it is the first major food ingredients company to engage with HowGood, the world’s largest product sustainability database for the food and beverage industry. The relationship will deliver increased transparency for the Company’s ingredients and will further enable its customers to innovate to meet the growing demand for more sustainable products.

Source: https://ir.ingredionincorporated.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ingredion-makes-progress-toward-texturizer-capacity-expansion

October 13_^th 2022

Loryma offers wheat starch as an adhesive with gloss finish.

Loryma launches Lory Starch Opal, a spray-on adhesive for seeds and other decorative food seasonings. The spray is made from pregelatinized wheat starch with a focus on solubility to ease its ability to be sprayed on.

The spray design makes for a hygienic application, as the typical methods of using brushes or immersion baths do not contact the dough. The product can be sprayed onto baked goods for boutique creators or used at high volumes for industrial production.

Loryma is a German-based global producer of distributed wheat proteins and native and modified wheat starches. The company explains that its adhesive’s production process reduces waste compared to current adherent food options.

“If the decorative additions stay on the substrate throughout the entire production and packaging process, there is less food waste and the whole process is more hygienic, which is obviously desirable for manufacturers,” according to Norbert Klein, head of product development at Loryma.

“Manufacturers want fewer rejects, while consumers want an appetizing product. Lory Starch Opal meets both these demands: decor, grains and seeds adhere firmly and with a glossy surface, the baked goods make a fresher impression. Food waste due to material loss is thus reduced to everyone’s satisfaction.”

The adhesive comes from a fine, white, free-flowing powder mixed with water to dissolve, creating an instant product that does not sediment. It has a very low, cold viscosity, which makes it possible for the solution to be sprayed.

Loryma underscores that by food producers using their product to stick seeds and other decorative toppers onto foods, food waste can be reduced. The company says this method will work due to its product being stickier than others with its ability to grab more seasonings and waste less.

According to the Food and Agriculture Association, 1.3 billion metric tons of food are wasted yearly, including about 20% of the total seed production.

Klein spoke on the extensive possible applications of Starch Opal, saying it could extend into breakfast cereals to reduce the amount of sugar used. “Flakes and extruded products usually have high-sugar coatings. These products are often consumed by children and a reduction of the sugar content is therefore desirable.”

He states that part of the reason for the high sugar content is its adhesive properties. “For example, for the adhesion of additions such as nuts for gloss and crunchiness. If one part of Lory Starch Opal is added to the usual sugar suspension, the final product can be reduced in sugar without functional limitations.”

“Lory Starch Opal can also be used as a vegan alternative for milk or egg components and promises a glossy finish, thus helping to enhance the look of the finished product,” he says.

Source: https://www.snackandbakery.com/articles/99552-loryma-debuts-pregelatinized-wheat-starch

October 06^th 2022

Health ingredient specialist BENEO has opened a new rice starch production line in a special inauguration event.

Following a €50 million (US$49.4 million) investment, the capacity of BENEO’s Belgium facility has risen by 50%.

Attendees included Nadia Lapage (Secretary General FEVIA 1 Flanders), Carl Devlies (Alderman of City of Leuven), Dominic Speleers (Member of Executive Board of BENEO), Christoph Boettger (Member of Executive Board of BENEO) and Roland Vanhoegaerden (Operations Managing Director for BENEO’s Rice Ingredients). The addition of the new line increases production capacity at BENEO’s Wijgmaal facility in Belgium by 50%, allowing the company to continue meeting growing demand for its clean label rice ingredients.

BENEO is a global provider of rice flour, starch and protein for the food and feed industry and the company’s unique rice derivatives are used in the production of a wide range of clean label products. The increasing demand for natural and clean label ingredients, in a wide range of applications, has led to BENEO’s production line expansion.

Roland Vanhoegaerden, Operations Managing Director for BENEO’s rice ingredients said: “From bakery and dairy to confectionery and baby food products, the demand is growing for our clean label ingredients. Here at BENEO we believe in investing for the long-term, and with the addition of this new rice starch production line, we have built even more resilience into our rice portfolio. As food manufacturers continue to move away from artificial additives and replace them with natural alternatives, we are well placed to meet their needs with our rice starch ingredients.”

The impact is on cost saving, but also on the environment, due to lower carbon emissions and a reduction in traffic. Our factory is in the middle of an urban area and by increasing barge use, we can reduce congestion and noise levels in the neighbourhood

The plant in Wijgmaal has a proud 160-year history in the area and BENEO has been significantly investing in the facility in recent years, to make it a frontrunner in sustainability. With the new production line BENEO’s water consumption at the Wijgmaal site stays the same while the production capacity increases by 50% at the same time. This is possible thanks to a two-step process of cleansing: first contaminants are separated from the used water by an evaporator. The condensate is in turn purified in a second step, resulting in water of drinking quality.

The plant receives two-thirds of rice raw material by barge and just one- third by truck due to another investment taken a few years ago.

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Vanhoegaerden continued: “The impact is on cost saving, but also on the environment, due to lower carbon emissions and a reduction in traffic. Our factory is in the middle of an urban area and by increasing barge use, we can reduce congestion and noise levels in the neighbourhood. All in all, the addition of the new line increases our production capacity, enabling us to continue meeting growing demand for our clean label rice ingredients, whilst minimising our impact on the environment and neighbourhood.”

Source: https://nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com/news/article_page/BENEO_opens_additional_rice_starch_production_line/204029

October 03^rd 2022

China restricts exports of corn starch, signaling supply worries.

• Government wants to stabilize prices and curb inflation risks.
• Starch is shipped to the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.

China has curbed exports of corn starch in a signal that the world’s biggest corn importer is likely worried about local supplies.

The government has asked companies to suspend shipments to stabilize corn prices and contain inflation risks, according to Ma Wenfeng, a senior analyst at the Beijing Orient Agribusiness Consultant Co. Corn starch is commonly used as an ingredient to thicken soups and sauces or for paper products and adhesives.

Despite the relatively small volume of exports, the move underscores Beijing’s concerns over grain supplies and rising prices. China imports corn mainly from the US, which may face a smaller harvest this season, and Ukraine, where shipments are choked off after Russia’s invasion. While China produces most of the corn it consumes, poor weather has threatened output.

“Corn prices are high and cheaper Ukraine supplies cannot be shipped easily,” Ma said. “Exporting corn starch would further push up domestic prices.”

Traders and processors that Bloomberg spoke to confirmed the curbs, without giving details on how the notice was communicated. The agriculture ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment. Monday is a public holiday in China.

Customs data show China’s corn starch exports fell to just 900 tons in August from more than 40,000 tons in July and 23,240 tons a year earlier. The product is shipped mainly to the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Global benchmark corn prices have jumped about 15% this year amid the war in Ukraine and adverse weather in major producing regions including the US and Europe. To reduce supply risks, China has tried to diversify its corn imports and is accelerating shipments from Brazil.

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-03/china-restricts-corn-starch-exports

September o1^st 2022

LG Chem and ADM to build two bioplastic facilities in Decatur, Illinois (USA).

LG Chem Ltd., the largest Korean chemical firm, has reportedly announced a partnership with the US-based food processing organization Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) to build two manufacturing plants in Illinois, USA.

The production facilities will be manufacturing biodegradable plastics that are extensively used in food packaging applications.

In a press release, the South Korean chemical giant stated that the two companies would be constructing a plant to generate 75,000 tons of PLA or polylactic acid annually in Decatur under the two joint ventures.

The construction of a separate facility will take place in the same location to generate a feedstock for PLA, up to 150,000 tons of pure corn-based lactic acid.

The demand for PLA, a bioplastic created from natural materials like sugar cane and corn starch, is rising quickly as a substitute for plastics generated using fossil fuels. Lactic acid, its primary ingredient, is produced through the fermentation of corn starch. The 100% bio-based plastic takes several months to decompose naturally and can be used to make tableware or food containers.

As per reports, the company will release detailed information about the investment size and breakdown in H1 2023. The construction will begin in 2023 and is aimed to be completed in 2025.

Post the project’s completion, LG Chem will become the first Korean firm to establish a PLA factory.

According to Shin Hak-cheol, CEO of LG Chem, the strategic partnership is one of the sustainable growth initiatives that may directly contribute to alleviating environmental problems, including climate change and plastic waste.

The demand for biodegradable plastics has increased due to the continual efforts made by multinational corporations to go green.

As per LG Chem, the size of the global bioplastics industry, which is projected to be $10.2 billion this year, will increase to around $25.9 billion by 2026.

Source: https://investors.adm.com/news/news-details/2022/LG-Chem-and-ADM-Launch-Joint-Ventures-Announce-Intended-Location-for-U.S.-Production-of-Lactic-Acid-and-Polylactic-Acid-Production/default.aspx

Source: https://www.lgchem.com/company/information-center/press-release/news-detail-9095?lang=en_GLOBAL