Starch Pros

January 20^th 2025

Arvesta opens new plant protein facility in Mettet, Belgium.

Belgian agricultural specialist Arvesta has opened a new plant protein facility in Mettet, Belgium, claimed to be the first of its kind in Belgium and the Benelux region.

The protein plant will produce high-quality vegetable protein concentrates from local raw materials such as yellow peas. The process aims to contribute to the sustainable production of healthy food products for humans and animals, while enhancing the value of local raw materials and offering new business models to local farmers.

Arvesta marked the opening of the 500-square-metre facility on 9 January 2025, designed to serve the food and pet food industries as well as producing starch and fibre concentrates for the animal feed industry.

The site is the result of four years’ development and has the capacity to process 12,000 tonnes of yellow peas annually. Each year it could produce 3,000 tonnes of protein powder, 7,500 tonnes of starch and 1,500 tonnes of fibre.

According to Arvesta, the facility could result in the reduction of 4,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to driving a diesel car around the world 13 times.

Kris Moerman, business unit director of agriculture and horticulture at Arvesta, said that working closely with local farmers in Belgium and France to grow yellow peas offers farmers a guaranteed market for their crops.

He added: “This not only creates new income models, but also contributes to more sustainable farming practices”.

Niek Depoorter, CEO of Arvesta, commented: “This installation is an investment in technology and in the future of agriculture. We are convinced that this step brings us closer to our vision of an economically and environmentally sustainable agricultural sector.”

Source: https://www.theplantbasemag.com/news/arvesta-opens-new-plant-protein-facility-in-mettet-belgium

January 15^th 2025

13^th Starch Value Chain Asia.

25-26 Feb, 2025 – Ho Chi Minh City, VIETNAM (Novotel Saigon Centre).

The 13th Asia Starch Value Chain Conference, scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a premier event focusing on the growing starch industry across Asia. Bringing together key stakeholders, including starch producers, traders, manufacturers, and technology providers, to discuss the latest trends, innovations, and challenges within the starch value chain.

Diving into topics on optimizing the starch value chain, the overarching theme is on Sustainability.

This event will also have discussions on market dynamics, sustainable agriculture, valorising waste/side streams, sugar reduction, fibre enrichment solutions, starch modification, clean label and many more

A strategic choice for hosting the Asia Starch Value Chain conference, Vietnam’s economy has been one of the fastest-growing in the region, making it an ideal location for discussions on industrial growth and market expansion in the starch sector.

As one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of cassava, a key source of starch. The country’s cassava industry has been a significant contributor to its agricultural exports, and innovations in cassava processing and value addition are critical topics for the conference.

CMT’s Asia starch series is recognised as an important event for the industry and generally targeted at companies involved in supplying food Ingredients companies that uses starch & starch derivatives for food, textiles, paper , packaging, pharmaceutical industries, companies supporting bioprocess solutions , fermentation, yeast and enzyme suppliers, Milling industry , Sugar & Sweetener industry , Traders & commodities brokers, Bioethanol producers, , Equipment & Technology suppliers, biogas industries.

A must attend event in the industry, it has been brought around the region to Bangkok, Jakarta, Yangon, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Siem Reap, Vientiane.

Source: https://cmtevents.com/aboutevent.aspx?ev=250204&

January 13^th 2025

Corn Next unveils corn starch plastics alternative.

Corn Next has officially launched CornNext-17, a game-changing bio-based material designed to combat the global plastic pollution crisis. CornNext-17 says it can replace traditional plastics. Derived from renewable corn starch, CornNext-17 utilizes a patented fermentation-based process to create a fully biodegradable material with superior versatility and performance.

Unlike traditional plastics and bio-plastics such as PLA and PHA, CornNext-17 retains its natural polysaccharide structure, enabling rapid decomposition within 30 days in natural environments while maintaining the mechanical properties necessary for diverse applications. We all know that most plastics are never really recycled and when they are the process is toxic. The only solution to the plastic problem is a bio-based plastic. One that can fully decompose and degrade, not just break down into littler bits of plastic.

“CornNext-17 represents a significant leap forward in sustainable materials,” said Randy Yongzhong Zhang, Founder and CEO of Corn Next. “We are proud to offer a solution that addresses the urgent need for environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics. The development of CornNext-17 is guided by our vision to revolutionize how materials are used and discarded. As a fully natural biodegradable innovation, it marks not just a breakthrough in material science, but a significant milestone in humanity’s pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future.”

Key Features of CornNext-17:

• Fully Biodegradable: Decomposes naturally within 30 days, leaving no harmful residues.
• Versatile: Suitable for a wide range of applications, including packaging, consumer goods, and industrial components.
• Cost-Effective: Produced through an efficient manufacturing process, offering competitive pricing.
• High Performance: Exhibits excellent mechanical properties, including strength, flexibility, and heat resistance.
• Eco-Friendly: Derived from renewable corn starch and produced without harmful chemicals.

CornNext-17 has the potential to transform multiple industries by replacing traditional plastics with a sustainable alternative:

• Consumer Goods: CornNext-17 is ideal for creating compostable tableware, single-use products, food containers, and eco-friendly packaging solutions that cater to environmentally conscious consumers.
• Packaging Industry: The material’s strength, flexibility, and resistance to heat and moisture make it a superior choice for biodegradable packaging, including retail, food, and industrial applications.
• Agriculture: CornNext-17 can be used to manufacture biodegradable mulch films, seedling trays, and irrigation components, reducing waste and enhancing soil health.
• Medical and Healthcare: With its ability to decompose fully, CornNext-17 is well-suited for disposable medical supplies such as gloves, syringes, and packaging, ensuring environmental safety.
• Automotive: Lightweight and durable, CornNext-17 can be utilized in creating automotive components such as panels, trim, and interior parts, contributing to vehicle sustainability and fuel efficiency.
• Electronics: As a biodegradable alternative, CornNext-17 can replace certain plastic components in electronics, helping reduce electronic waste.

The global push for environmentally sustainable materials positions CornNext-17 to capitalize on increasing regulatory support and consumer demand for green products. Its adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly properties provide a competitive edge in addressing the growing plastic pollution crisis.

Corn Next (or Y & J World Inc.) is a biotech company based in Irvine, California and is dedicated to eliminating plastic pollution. Their bio-based material CornNext-17 is a patented, 100% natural, biodegradable material derived from renewable corn starch.

Unlike traditional plastics, CornNext-17 fully decomposes within 30 days without leaving toxins or requiring costly recycling. After eight years of R&D, the company transformed CornNext-17 into a granular form, securing our proprietary technology and expanding its applications. This innovation led to the world’s first corn-based drinking straw, protein spoon, dinner knife, and forks, with future uses in utensils, dental floss, packaging and more

Corn-based plastics for packaging is a market which reached a market size valued at USD 0.56 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1.20 Billion by 2030.

Source: https://www.greenprophet.com/2025/01/this-plastic-is-made-from-corn/

December 20^th 2024

December 19^th 2024

New processing tech to unlock potential of China’s potato industry.

“Potato-turned rice”, a rice-shaped starch product made from potatoes using a new processing technology, is undergoing initial production and sales tests in southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

The production line started operation in November and has been running smoothly for about a month. The new product has the potential to turn potatoes, which have good yields and wide adaptability but a short storage life, into a popular staple food in China, thus helping the country ensure food security.

RESHAPING THE STARCH CHAIN

The production line in Qiaojia County, in the city of Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, is the latest achievement of polymer physical chemist Wu Qi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He and his research team built the plant and put it into operation after more than five years of research and development.

The team focused on the extrusion recombination technology of plant polysaccharides and protein composite systems, with the aim of making tuber crops a staple food in China and introducing the processing technology to the market.

Starch is the main substance used by plants to store energy, and is composed of long chains of sugar molecules connected together. Starch macromolecule chains have two major forms: the linear amylose, and the branched amylopectin.

Dining tables around the world feature various staples composed of starch foods, such as rice, wheat, potatoes and corn. However, most Chinese people do not view potatoes as a staple food like rice and wheat, treating them more as a vegetable ingredient instead.

The processing technology changes the properties of potato starch macromolecules at a physical level to reshape the starch chain. It integrates macromolecular physics theory, food macromolecule processing, and polymer extrusion and granulating technologies.

Agronomist Deng Yong, director of an agricultural service center in the county, said there are slightly more branched chains in potato starch than in rice starch, resulting in a difference in food texture. Changing the configuration of the potato starch chains results in a food product that is not so soft, and is therefore more appetizing to consumers, as well as being more convenient to store with a longer shelf life.

The potato-turned rice has been processed at high temperature and high pressure, so there is no need to wash and soak the rice. It can be cooked in an ordinary electric rice cooker like real rice, and the amount of water and cooking time required are far less than those of rice, he added.

INDUSTRY POTENTIAL

The mountainous city of Zhaotong is one of the main potato-producing areas in Yunnan, with a climate and environment very similar to the Andes Mountains in South America, where potatoes originally come from. The city was awarded the title of “Potato Plateau Seed Potato Capital of the World” by the World Potato Congress in 2020.

Zhaotong currently boasts a potato planting area of about 158,000 hectares, with a yield of 3.5 million tonnes and a total output value of about 10 billion yuan (about 1.37 billion U.S. dollars).

According to Li Yulin, the general manager of the company running the production line, the preliminary estimate shows that 2.5 tonnes of potatoes can be processed into 1 tonne of potato-turned rice, with the output value increasing by more than 10 times.

The production line is expected to process about 2,500 tonnes of fresh potatoes per year, producing 1,000 tonnes of potato-turned rice, achieving an output value of about 30 million yuan, he added.

Deng said the processing technology is expected to promote potato planting in mountainous areas, as well as the planting and deep-processing of other crops, completing the industrial chain of mountain agriculture.

He added that potatoes can be planted in most parts of the country, while processing technology has big potential for assisting poverty alleviation efforts through sci-tech progress.

The first batch of products has already been put on trial sale in the local market, and the feedback shows that middle-aged and elderly people are interested.

ENSURING FOOD SECURITY

According to Wu Qi, the lead scientist of the development team, food security is based on three major elements: the area of arable land; the yield per unit area; and strategic reserves. The potato-turned rice has many advantages in these three areas, and can therefore contribute to ensuring food security.

Compared to the average yield of 12 tonnes per hectare for rice, the potato yield can reach over 30 tonnes per hectare. Potatoes can be grown in various regions across China, including mountainous areas and plains, and they have strong drought resistance.

After the processing, the potato-turned rice can be stored at low cost at room temperature for a long time without the need for ventilation, or temperature and humidity control. This is unlike fresh potatoes, which have a short storage life and high storage cost.

The production line in Yunnan is the latest case of China using potatoes to promote food security. In 2016, the country’s agriculture ministry announced that potatoes will be promoted as staple food products for industrialization.

In recent years, the sowing area of potatoes in China has been kept at about 4.67 million hectares, with an annual output of nearly 90 million tonnes, with the output ranking first in the world for many years.

Official data show that China’s cumulative grain imports in 2023 stood at 161.96 million tonnes, while the total grain outputs were 695.41 million tonnes in the same year.

During the annual Central Economic Work Conference, held last week to outline priorities for the Chinese economy in 2025, Chinese leaders decided that efforts should be focused on areas including the stable production and supply of grain and other major agricultural products, as well as the promotion of the agricultural industry according to local conditions to increase farmers’ incomes.

Source: http://www.china.org.cn/china/Off_the_Wire/2024-12/19/content_117617472.htm

December 18^th 2024

The potato starch supplier, which has opened a new research centre, says the growth is down to increased market share.

Danish potato starch co-operative KMC has reported a 6% increase in revenue to DKK 3.6m (£4m) for the 2023/34 financial year, driven by growth in potato starch sales and stable production capacity.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the year were DKK 372m, up from the previous year’s DKK 362m.

KMC said the result is partly due to an increased overall market share supplying potato starch to the food industry, where KMC achieved over 10% growth in sold quantities and total product sales exceeding 400,000 tons. Stable production conditions and minimal impact from energy prices also helped, it added.

Based on these solid results, KMC has paid out DKK 276m in post-payment to its co-op members, who have faced rising cultivation cultivation costs due to challenging weather conditions.

”The year’s financial results demonstrate the strength of KMC’s value chain,“ said CEO Jesper Burgaard, “where both modern production facilities and the adaptability of potato growers play a major role. We are, of course, pleased to be able to return a very reasonable profit to the Danish potato growers.”

KMC also marked the year with the opening of a new 5,000 sq m Innovation Center, following an investment of DKK 100m, aimed at strengthening the company’s position in plant-based ingredients. The site is integrated with the co-op’s headquarters and has doubled KMC’s capacity for innovation and research.

The co-op – whose former CEO Nicolai Hansen gave a presentation on its work at January’s SAOS conference in Scotland – said it expects continued high demand for its products and a revenue increase of between 6% and 12% in the coming fiscal year.

Despite expected high raw material and cost levels, management anticipates profitability that continues to make it attractive for potato growers to cultivate starch and powder potatoes.

KMC is also continuing its energy initiatives to reduce dependence on natural gas, supporting the group’s sustainable growth strategy.

Source: https://www.thenews.coop/danish-agri-food-co-op-kmc-reports-6-revenue-growth/

December 13^th 2024

EBRD provides guarantee on €40 million loan to Omnia Romania.

Loan will finance extension of Omnia factory for new waxy starch products.

Banca Transilvania (BT) is lending €40 million to Omnia Europe SA (Omnia Romania), a leading corn starch producer and owner of the largest starch factory in Romania and southeastern Europe. Half the loan amount, €20 million, will be guaranteed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), under the Risk-Sharing Facility (RSF) with Banca Transilvania.

The financing will support the company in expanding its operations by establishing a new unit dedicated to producing waxy starch.

Omnia Europe SA, based in Medgidia, Constanta County, is a producer of starch, maltodextrin and by-products, key ingredients for many products in the food, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper and chemical industries. It is a subsidiary of Omnia Nisasta Ticaret AS and part of the Turkish Tosmur Group, one of the largest producers of corn starch and derivatives products.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is using its Risk Sharing Framework (RSF) to support the expansion of businesses in its countries of operations and boost the lending capacity of local partner banks.

“We are delighted to reinforce our commitment to the Romanian agribusiness sector by supporting the expansion of Omnia Group within the country. This transaction highlights the strong collaboration with Banca Transilvania and underscores the effectiveness of the Risk Sharing Framework in facilitating the growth ambitions of companies across EBRD’s Countries of Operations. Furthermore, this initiative is particularly significant as it focuses on processing agricultural commodities into higher-value products, contributing to Romania’s efforts to improve its food and agricultural trade balance” said Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD’s Head of Romania.

Source: www.ebrd.com/news/2024/ebrd-provides-guarantee-on-40-million-loan-to-omnia-romania

December 02^nd 2024

Agrana and Ingredion forge joint venture to enhance starch production in Romania.

Agrana Stärke, a subsidiary of Austria’s Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, has entered into a joint venture agreement with Ingredion, marking a new step in the evolution of starch production in Romania.

This collaboration, which is pending approval from relevant competition and regulatory authorities, will see Ingredion acquiring a 49% stake in AGFD Tandarei SRL from Agrana.

Stephan Büttner, CEO of Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, said: “We want to drive our growth in Europe by entering into a joint venture and we believe Ingredion is the ideal partner for this”.

He noted that the collaboration leverages the distinct expertise of both companies in starch production, aligning with Agrana’s broader strategy, dubbed ‘Next Level,’ which aims to enhance its commodity and specialty business segments.

The joint venture comes at a time when the food and beverage manufacturing landscape is increasingly focused on sustainable and innovative ingredient solutions. As consumer preferences shift towards health-conscious and environmentally friendly products, the demand for specialty starches – known for their functional properties in food applications – continues to grow.

Ingredion, a global supplier in ingredient solutions, develops various speciality starches that serve as functional ingredients across food and beverage sectors.

This strategic alliance will not only bolster Agrana’s production capabilities in Romania but also enhance Ingredion’s footprint in the European market. The Starch segment of Agrana, which accounted for approximately €1.1 billion of the group’s turnover in the last financial year, is poised for further growth through this venture.

With five production sites across Austria, Romania and Hungary, Agrana Stärke has established itself as a key player in customised starch applications, catering to diverse industrial needs.

The joint venture is expected to streamline operations and innovate product offerings, ultimately benefiting manufacturers seeking to enhance the quality and sustainability of their products.

More details regarding the collaboration will be disclosed following the necessary regulatory approvals.

Source: https://www.foodbev.com/news/agrana-and-ingredion-forge-joint-venture-to-enhance-starch-production-in-romania

November 12^th 2024

New uses for pulse starch seen on the horizon.

Protein is normally the focus of pulse production, but research shows value can also be gained from the starch byproduct

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are seeking new uses for pulse starches in the food and biomaterial sectors.

Byproduct market research aims to reduce food waste, increase efficiency and add more value to crops grown on the Prairies.

While protein is often the goal for pulse crops in Western Canada, starch makes up more of the seed.

“When you look at the composition in the pulses, it’s about 40 to 50 per cent of pulse starch,” said Mehmet Tulbek, president of the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre.

“So the protein is only 20, 22 to 24 per cent. When people sell it as a whole (grain), that’s a different story. But when they fractionate, the protein is more valuable. Then the second value is the fibre and the lowest value is the starch portion.”

The market value of protein to starch is now about 21 to 1. As more uses for the starch are found, the value for it and for pulses as a whole could increase.

Today, the most common use for pulse starches is as an additive in animal feed, although there are possible avenues for expansion as an ingredient in batters, breading, pastas, Chinese noodles and other snack foods.

“We’re creating this really high-value product in protein, but then we’ve got this starch left over,” said Amber Johnson, director of marketing and communications at Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.

The farm group is one of the industry stakeholders supporting research into pulse starches. Johnson is also on the national market development team working with Pulse Canada, which is focused on pulse market development and diversification.

In Manitoba alone, peas went from fewer than 100,000 planted acres a year to 191,400 acres reported this spring. That was helped by the entry of pea protein giant Roquette, which chose Portage la Prairie for its major pea protein plant.

Interest in peas and pea protein is one example of a rising pulse market. | Pulse Canada photo
“As interest in pea protein grew, it became very obvious to us that we needed better, higher value uses for that starch byproduct and that’s kind of where this (research) and some other projects came to be,” Johnson said.

“And so, we’re one of several contributors to this particular project, in hopes to find more, higher-value uses for that starch component of the fractionation process.”

University of Saskatchewan research has shown that pulse starch has strong gelling capabilities, making it a strong contender as an ingredient for adding texture or firmness, or acting as a stabilizer in food. In a product like Chinese glass noodles, the starch could allow structure to set quicker and provide a firmer texture.

That same trait has applications for biomaterials. Depending on type of starch and what is mixed with it, a conductive hydrogel can be formed. In one case, a mixture of pea starch, polyvinyl alcohol, water and salt created a gel that was flexible and tensile even at -20 C.

Other potential materials include sheer films and packaging useful for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Pulse starch is also being considered for use in low glycemic foods for human consumption. While this aspect of the research is ongoing, a modified dough made from the pea starch and water showed a reduction in glycemic response with human subjects.

In 2020, Pulse Canada and market research firm Euromonitor worked to price index pulse starch according to end use application. They found that its use in paper and packaging could double the starch’s value, and industries like bioplastics could nearly triple it. Uses in food and sports nutrition, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals also have potential high value.

“There’s so many places that this could go and there’s a lot of factors to consider,” Johnson said. “Some of these really high value markets have low volume because you only need a little bit of it to do what you’re trying to do. But that’s all a component of our market development strategy, which is all about diversifying (for sustainable demand).”

Tulbek noted that, while the entire world grows pulses and many countries have their own processing facilities, Canada can pack a major punch in the sector.

“Western Canada, they have the sustainably produced pulses, really high-quality pulses, that are ready for the marketplace,” Tulbek said.

Several processing and manufacturing companies across Canada and the United States use Canadian-grown pulses. Many are primarily focused on peas, but are getting into fababean and lentil processing as well.

However, the growth and market for pulse starches is ultimately determined by consumers.

“That speed (of growth) is really defined by the success of the product and the market acceptability,” Tulbek said. “If the market likes it, if consumers like it, or if there’s industrial application … it may be faster.”

He said he’s seen strong growth in pulse starch utilization over the last 10 years. Johnson added that part of the growth is end user education to increase interest and awareness about pulse possibilities.

“The more opportunities for these products that we can create, (that) means that there’ll be sustainable demand, which is really important for our producers,” she said.

Source: https://www.producer.com/news/new-uses-for-pulse-starch-seen-on-the-horizon/

October 30^th 2024

Scientists develop starch nanocomposite films that pave the way for green electronics.

Queen Mary University of London researchers have developed new nanocomposite films using starch instead of petroleum-based materials, marking a significant advancement in the field of sustainable electronics.

These starch nanocomposites offer tuneable mechanical and electrical properties, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based materials.

With a growing global need for sustainable solutions in electronics, this breakthrough presents a major step toward reducing e-waste and promoting eco-friendly electronics. The new nanocomposite films are made from starch, one of the most abundant natural polymers found in plants such as potato, maize, pea and corn, and MXene, a highly conductive 2D material that is manufactured in-house. These films can be tailored for various uses, such as monitoring human body movement, tactile sensing, and electronic smart skins.

A key innovation towards sustainable electronics is the fact that the starch-based films decompose within a month when buried in soil, offering a rapid degradation process that contrasts sharply with conventional non-degradable plastics. Additionally, by adjusting MXene concentrations, researchers achieved precise control over the films’ mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, and sensing capabilities. This allows for customized applications across different industries, from healthcare to wearable electronics. These composites use natural, abundant materials, with a production process reliant on water as a solvent, further enhancing their sustainability credentials.

Lead researcher Ming Dong, from QMUL’s School of Engineering and Materials Science, said: “Our findings have shown that sustainable electronics can be achieved through these starch-based nanocomposites, offering not just an environmentally friendly solution but also practical applications in flexible electronics.”

Dimitrios Papageorgiou, lead academic and corresponding author of the study, said: “This work represents a significant leap forward in addressing the global challenge of e-waste. By using abundant and biodegradable materials, we are opening up new avenues for sustainable electronics. These starch-based composites offer a solution that merges environmental responsibility with high-performance sensing and electronics capabilities.”

The research team believes these developments can lead to a future where electronic devices are no longer part of the environmental burden but contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy.

Source: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2024/se/starch-nanocomposite-films-developed-at-qmul-pave-the-way-for-green-electronics-.html