Corn Starch Market

Market Overview

The corn starch was valued at USD 20.42 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 40.14 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.80% during the forecast period (2023-2031). 

Corn starch is used as a filler and sizing material in the paper industry. It is used in adhesives, oil-well drilling, air flotation, textiles, laundry, foundries, and laundry. Starch is often utilized in its natural form, but it can also be easily transformed into a number of different forms. The majority of corn starch is converted into starch syrups; the remaining portion is composed of native and modified starches. Population expansion and industrial advancement of a nation, especially in food and beverage, textiles, paper and printing, medicines and other health and beauty products, and adhesives, are the elements that influence the need for starch.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

• Expanding Food Processing Sector

Corn starch is primarily employed in the food industry because of its adaptability; it is used for adhesion, stability, and gelling. It also demonstrates rheology-modifying characteristics, which have led to widespread adoption and accelerated global market expansion. Bakeries, confectioneries, sauces, processed meats, noodles, spaghetti, dry mixes, soups, salads, dressings, puddings, and pie fillings are just a few of the significant products that use starch. Additionally, improved heat, temperature, pH, and rheological resistance from starch modification have increased its demand worldwide. The demand for maize starch is anticipated to increase due to the anticipated expansion of the food processing sector over the forecast period.

Market Restraint

• Increasing Consumer Awareness of Starch's Harmful Effects

The world's population's eating habits have changed over the past few years. People are becoming more conscious of the kinds of meals they consume and the number of calories and other vital nutrients they consume. A high-calorie food product is starch, as it lacks critical nutrients like protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, starch decomposes into glucose, which is predicted to raise blood sugar levels in people. According to a Princeton University study, laboratory rats fed high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) weighed significantly more than those provided table sugar. This is expected to restrain market growth over the forecast period.

Market Opportunities

• Increasing Demand for Resistant Starch

Since resistant starch cannot be digested in the small intestine, it travels to the large intestine, where it is fermented by bacteria. Lowering cholesterol and lipids is made more accessible by using resistant starch. It also reduces the growth of brand-new fat cells. Additionally, it improves digestion by reducing symptoms of diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Further, it improves mineral absorption and stops the colon from developing aberrant bacterial cells. Resistant starch alters the flow of fatty acids between muscle and fat cells, improving insulin sensitivity. Therefore, the benefits provided by resistant starch would present lucrative chances for market advancement during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

The global corn starch market is bifurcated into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.60% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific nations being examined include China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of the region. One of the regions with the highest growth in Asia-Pacific, which benefits from improved infrastructure and ease of starting new firms. Additionally, Asia-Pacific nations have a sizable population and have seen a surge in demand for food goods. The lifestyles and consumption habits of the people in the Asia-Pacific area have changed due to their countries' rapid economic development. In this area, there has been a considerable rise in the consumption of packaged foods and drinks, raising the demand for maize starch-based goods and fueling the market's expansion.

North America is expected to boost at a CAGR of 5.50% during the forecast period. The Europe corn starch market is being researched in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A moderate rate of growth is anticipated to continue in these areas. North America encourages the sale of food and beverages since it is a developed region with strong distribution networks. Corn starch is increasingly being used as a sweetener for both packaged and unpackaged foods, which substantially positively impacts the market's expansion in North America. In addition, food starch products in North America have a well-established market and represent the industry's primary revenue generator.

Europe is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Europe are among the nations analyzed in the Europe corn starch market. Due to a rise in the consumption of packaged food and baked goods, there has been a significant demand for corn starch in the European market. The increase in the number of fast food restaurants, quick service restaurants, and other eating places further boosted the demand for corn syrup in the area. Europe is regarded as the mature market for food starch worldwide. The market expansion in the region is fueled by an increase in R&D spending in the food production industry by involved players.

Since LAMEA's economy has grown steadily over the past ten years, residents in the region have developed new needs and desires, including a demand for packaged goods, a more significant consumption of processed foods, and a desire to live healthier lives. Leading companies in LAMEA have made considerable investments in marketing and advertising to gain a substantial market share in the area, which drives the market's expansion. Additionally, it is anticipated that increased demand from the manufacturing of beverages, food processing, baking, flour supplementation, dough conditioning, and dairy products will spur market expansion in LAMEA.

Segmental Analysis

The global corn starch market is segmented by type, application, and form.

Based on type, the global corn starch market is bifurcated into modified, native, and sweeteners.

The sweetener segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period. Dextrose, glucose syrup, and high fructose syrup are the main sweeteners that include a large amount of concentrated starch. In the confectionery sector, glucose syrup is employed, but the brewing industry uses high-maltose syrup. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS), introduced to the food and beverage industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s to enhance the functionality and stability of various foods and beverages, is primarily derived from corn. One of the most versatile food additives on the market today is HFCS. It maintains stability, improves texture and flavor, and helps retain color in various foods and beverages.

In order to improve starch's performance for a given application, modifications are made. Starch is altered to vary its texture, adjust its viscosity, raise its visco-stability, shorten or prolong the gelatinization process, and increase its stability and resistance to acid, high heat, time, shear, freezing, and cooling. Additionally, it is used to enhance the flavor of food, which drives up demand for it in the food and beverage sector. Further, it lowers the overall cost of food production and raises the effectiveness and quality of food, stimulating the expansion of the global market.

Native starch derived from wheat, corn, rice, potatoes, and cassava is the only type of starch that is entirely natural. This carbohydrate has a long chain and is insoluble in cold water. The use of non-GMO and gluten-free varieties of starch is growing. Technological improvements in the starch industry have also led to diverse raw materials. Native starch's natural chemical and physical characteristics are not changed. Native starch is therefore combined with other ingredients to make salad dressing. Additionally, it has anti-staling qualities, which increases demand for it all around the world. However, the degradation of native starch in acidic settings and as a result of reheating has caused end users to switch to modified starch, which has a substantial positive impact on the expansion of the global market.

Based on application, the global corn starch market is bifurcated into food ingredients, pharmaceuticals, and others.

The food ingredient segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.70% during the forecast period. An edible substance that is added to food to produce a particular result is referred to as an ingredient. Corn starch is frequently used as a thickener for soups and sauces. Additionally, due to its adaptability, it can be used as a sweetener for a variety of packaged and unpackaged products. Corn starch is frequently used as a coating in restaurants across the globe when preparing seafood, meat, chicken, and vegetables. Even though a sizable portion of the cornstarch produced is used for commercial purposes, households are now using it more frequently as a result of the rising popularity of pandemic-related cooking.

The Food and Drug Association (FDA) has designated corn starch as a food substance that is Generally Recognized as Safe. In the pharmaceutical industry, corn starch is used as a disintegrant and a binder in addition to being used in the food industry. Disintegrant is a component of tablets and capsules that helps them dissolve and break down, releasing the drugs inside for absorption. The rise in the number of people taking supplements in tablet or pill form is blamed for expanding the pharmaceutical industry. The demand for corn starch in the pharmaceutical industry has also increased due to the number of tablets and capsules produced.

The other section discusses how maize starch makes adhesives, textiles, and cosmetics. The versatility of maize starch makes it suitable for a variety of uses. For instance, talc and maize starch are both used as cosmetics absorbents. It makes it possible for the cosmetic to have a dry but silky texture. Corn starch is used in the textile industry to give fabric weight and rigidity. Additionally, it is utilized in the textile sector in combination with thermoplastic or thermosetting resins. Corn starch is used in paper-making to increase dry strength and stiffness.

Based on form, the global corn starch market is bifurcated into powder and liquid.

The liquid segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.10% during the forecast period. As a stiffener for textiles and fabrics, corn starch liquid is employed. It contains corn starch syrup, a fluid with variable viscosity made from corn starch and varying amounts of maltose and oligosaccharides. Confections are made chiefly with maize syrup. Additionally, it is used in food to improve flavor, prevent crystallization, soften texture, and provide texture when used as a base coating with meat. The increase in the use of corn starch in the textile sector, along with an increase in the global manufacturing of clothing, is fueling the expansion of the liquid corn starch market. The number of food outlets has also increased due to the growth of the food service sector. As a result, the demand for corn starch as a food ingredient in the food service sector has increased.

A granular material made from maize is called powdered corn starch. This type of maize starch is mainly used in cuisine as a thickener for sauces and soups and in cosmetics like baby powder. For instance, Johnson & Johnson unveiled a baby powder that absorbs extra moisture from babies' skin and is created with corn starch. The expansion of powdered corn starch in cosmetic and medicinal items like tablets and baby powder can be linked to the growth of the powder market. The industry is expanding as a result of the rising use of corn starch in the food industry as a thickening and coating agent.

Recent Developments

• May 2022- ADM invested in the starch manufacturing plant's infrastructure to boost output. The business has chosen to enlarge its facility in Marshall, Minnesota, to meet the escalating demand.
• January 2022- Three starch-based excipients were introduced by DFE Pharma, expanding its line of dietary supplements. The three products are native maize starch (Nuroféli ST100), partially pre-gelatinized (Nuroféli ST200), and fully gelatinized (Nuroféli ST300).