Industrial Starches: Harnessing Opportunities and Trends in Functionality and Application

What are the current trends in industrial starch usage?

With growing demands in sectors such as food and beverages, paper industry and bioethanol production, industrial starches have witnessed an exponential increase in usage. There is an observed trend towards the use of modified starches due to their enhanced properties such as stability, resistance to shear, heat, and acid. Additionally, the desire for clean labels in the food industry has driven innovation towards more natural, less chemically modified starches.

What functionality does starch bring to the industries?

Starches find use in a vast array of applications owing to their versatile functionality. They are employed as thickeners, stabilizers and binders in the food and beverage sector, providing texture, volume and moisture retention. In the paper industry, they aid in paper strengthening, coating and sizing. Furthermore, in the production of bioethanol, starches serve as a key ingredient as their hydrolysis yields glucose which is then fermented.

What opportunities lie ahead?

The future of the starch industry presents immense potential. The broadening of starch applications in innovative fields like biodegradable plastics, pharmaceuticals and textiles illustrates the untapped opportunities. Additionally, the exploration of new plant sources for starch extraction apart from traditional corn, wheat and potato, such as peas and rice, also opens up possibilities. It is projected that these diversifications, coupled with enhanced extraction and modification techniques, will propel the starch industry further.