Increased Use of Modified Starch in the Food Industry to Drive the Market Growth in Coming Years

Modified starch refers to a starch product that is modified chemically to withstand the processes it is subjected to for use in various applications; this is witnessing significant growth due to increasing incorporation in a wide range of foods and cost-effectiveness offered by them, along with the enhanced functionalities they provide in comparison to native starch. The modified starch market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2018, to reach a value of USD 12.67 Billion by 2023. 

Starches are modified to increase their stability under excessive heat, acid treatment, and freezing, to change their texture, or to increase or reduce the duration of gelatinization. Acid-treated starch is prepared by treating starch or starch granules with inorganic acids. Other treatments may produce modified starch such as alkaline-modified starch, bleached starch, oxidized starch, enzyme-treated starch, and acetylated starch with different enzymes.

The increasing use of modified starch in the food industry and growing industrial applications for modified starch in the paper, textile, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries are some of the factors that are expected to drive market growth through the next five years in most regions.

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On the basis of raw material, the modified starch market was led by the corn segment in 2017. Corn is a staple food and is preferred across the globe due to its importance in the diets of several countries. It can be consumed in a variety of ways, such as porridge, popcorn, vegetable, roasted or fired kernels, or as flour or meal. It is one of the most largely commercially available raw material of modified starch.

The thickeners segment dominated the market in 2017. Modified starch as a thickening agent intensifies the viscosity of a liquid without significantly changing its other properties. In the food industry, thickeners are generally used in gravies, puddings, sauces, and soups without altering the taste.

The modified starch market, on the basis of application, is segmented into food & beverages, feed, and industrial. Different applications require different starch properties. In the food applications of modified starches could be divided into several subsegments, according to their applications, such as bakery & confectionery, beverages, and processed foods.

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North America accounted for the largest market share for modified starch in 2017, owing to the increase in demand for modified starch in processed foods in countries such as the US and Canada. However, Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period, due to increase in awareness and production of processed foods.

Companies such as Archer Daniels Midland (US), Cargill (US), Ingredion Incorporated (US), Tate & Lyle (UK), and Roquette Frères (France) have acquired leading market positions through the provision of a broad portfolio, catering to the varied requirements of the market, along with a focus on the diverse end-user segments. They are also focused on innovation and are geographically diversified.