Starch Recovery Systems Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Plant Size (Large, Medium, Small), By Applications (Frozen Products, Chips and Snack Pellets, Dehydrated Products, Others), By End-User (Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Industrial, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global starch recovery systems market size was valued at USD 332.32 million in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 533.48 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period (2024–2032). Many processing systems have been sold due to the increasing demand for starch processed from various raw materials such as potatoes, wheat, corn, and others. The process's effluent, which is water, was deemed a waste product. However, companies are now investing a lot of money into research and development to discover how to recover effluent starch, increase eco-efficiency, and benefit the environment because of the new water crisis—such factors drive market growth.

A starch recovery system is a process used in industries such as food processing, particularly in the production of starch-based products like corn starch, potato starch, or wheat starch. A starch recovery system includes equipment such as refining sieves, hydro cyclones and centrifuges, vacuum filters, screw conveyors, and filling stations. Depending on the needs, these are employed in various capacities. These are used in different capacities as per requirements. The starch is separated using a centrifuge or decanter by a starch recovery system using the pumped processed water from the raw material slice washing system.

In addition to being used for washing and peeling, the collected powder and the treated water can be repurposed for other processes. Businesses can concentrate on cutting back on their water usage by implementing starch recovery systems. Water can be recycled after the starch has been extracted, thereby prolonging its useful life and lowering the requirement for wastewater treatment. Moreover, the starch that is extracted is turned into a valuable commodity. A variety of other agricultural products, including rice, sago, barley, sorghum, and, to a lesser extent, cassava and maize, are also used to extract starch.

Market Dynamics

Global starch recovery systems market drivers:

Global dependency on starch

The market for starch recovery systems is expanding due to the world's dependence on starch. Starch is essential in many industries, such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, paper and packaging, and textiles. Global demand for starch-based products drives the need for sustainable and effective starch production methods. For example, food starches are frequently used as thickeners and stabilizers in making noodles and pasta, as well as in puddings, custards, soups, sauces, gravies, pie fillings, and salad dressings.

Starch recovery systems are essential because they allow producers to extract and repurpose starch from waste streams and byproducts, reducing waste and maximizing resource use. Several businesses have implemented recovery systems for potato starch to avoid the costly process of treating water. Global acceptance of sustainability is being further cemented by its growing influence. Several businesses are also installing these systems for other agricultural goods like sago and cassava.

Global starch recovery systems market restraint:

Adverse impact of extreme weather conditions on raw material supply

Hurricanes, floods, and other extreme weather events can negatively affect the supply of raw materials for the starch recovery system market. Numerous sources of starch, including potatoes, wheat, and corn, are extremely vulnerable to weather changes, which can impact their quality, yield, and growth. While floods or storms can harm crops and cause disruptions to the harvesting and transportation processes, droughts can lower crop yields and result in a lower starch content.

In 2019, the United States' freezing temperatures had a negative effect on the amount of potato acreage. The USDA predicted that there would be 6% less potato acreage in 2019 than in 2018. Similarly, according to the EU Commission, crop yields in Europe decreased by 11–13% in 2018, resulting in a 6–7 million tonne shortfall. The main causes of the decline in average levels were freeze damage and soil-borne problems. Such factors hinder market growth.

Global starch recovery systems market opportunities:

Focus on sustainability

Innovation and the adoption of environmentally friendly practices are fueled by the starch recovery systems market's focus on sustainability. The increasing focus on sustainable development will benefit the global starch recovery systems market. Renewable energy sources and water and energy-efficient processes are examples of technologies that manufacturers prioritize to reduce their negative environmental effects.

Water consumption and wastewater discharge can be minimized by using closed-loop systems to recycle and reuse process water. Small-scale water treatment facilities are essential as they can decrease the COD load of wastewater by almost 50%. Utilizing systems to recycle starch can decrease water consumption by as much as 50%. Reduced waste and energy use result in lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Similarly, achieving overall sustainability goals is aided by initiatives to improve product quality and lower carbon emissions throughout production. By embracing sustainable practices, starch recovery systems mitigate environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency and long-term profitability.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global starch recovery systems market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. 

Asia-pacific dominates the global market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific starch recovery systems market is growing rapidly for several reasons. The increasing industrialization, urbanization, and population growth in nations such as China, India, and Southeast Asia have led to a high demand for starch-based products in industries like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. China is the world's second-largest producer of maize and the world's largest producer of potatoes and wheat. China's economic progress and the increasing need for environmentally friendly machinery have opened doors for research and development, leading to the development of starch recovery systems and efficient starch production processes. According to a report released by CnAgri and the China Starch Industry Association, China produced 25.9 million tons of corn starch in 2017, an increase of 15% yearly. Such elements fuel the expansion of the regional market.

The European starch recovery systems market is expanding substantially due to a number of factors. The region's thriving food processing sector is encouraging the use of starch recovery systems, as is the growing demand for sustainable production methods. For example, 75% of consumers in the UK state that cutting back on plastic use is a necessary and sustainable step for them. This suggests that consumers in the UK are becoming more conscious of the effects of their decisions on the environment and society, and they are prepared to adjust their behavior in favor of sustainable practices. Manufacturers are encouraged to invest in cutting-edge starch recovery technologies through initiatives promoting resource efficiency and strict environmental regulations. Moreover, the regional market is expanding due to the increasing consumer preference for clean-label products, which is increasing demand for premium starch in the region.

Segmental Analysis

The global starch recovery systems market is bifurcated into plant size, application, and end-user.

Based on plant size, the global starch recovery systems market is segmented into large, medium, and small.

In starch recovery systems, a medium plant size usually refers to establishments that use a moderate amount of raw materials in their starch production process. These plants are distinguished by their ability to produce large amounts of starch while retaining flexibility and operational efficiency. To maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste, they frequently integrate cutting-edge technologies for the processes of separation, washing, concentration, and drying. Medium-sized starch recovery facilities serve local or specialized markets by striking a balance between economies of scale and agility to effectively address unique client needs and market dynamics.

Based on application, the global starch recovery systems market is bifurcated into frozen products, chips and snack pellets, dehydrated products, and others.

Starch recovery systems have the potential to enhance the production of chips and snack pellets by optimizing raw material utilization and lowering production costs. Systems for recovering starch from processing byproducts or wastewater produced while making chips and snack pellets can be used effectively. Manufacturers can reduce waste, save costs for raw materials, and boost overall production efficiency by recovering and recycling starch. The integration of starch recovery systems promotes sustainability by lessening the environmental impact of the processes used to produce chips and snack pellets. It also helps to run operations more profitably and efficiently.

Based on end-users, the global starch recovery systems market is segmented into food and beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, and others.

Starch recovery systems are essential for streamlining production procedures and cutting waste in the food and beverage sector. These machines take starch out of raw materials frequently used as ingredients in food and drink products, like potatoes, corn, and wheat. Post-processing starch is recovered using starch recovery systems. There are several uses for this starch and its derivatives. Native and modified starches are among the starch derivatives used as thickeners, stabilizers, binders, and emulsifiers in cold-process salad dressings, pet foods, baked goods, and brewing adjuncts.

Recent Developments

• December 2023 - Alfa Laval, a global leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation, and fluid handling, and Bisviridi, an established business within the BioteCH4 group and a prominent anaerobic digestion (AD) operator in the UK, announced a new collaboration to boost the sustainability potential of organic and food waste recycling. By using AD in conjunction with Alfa Laval's Prodec Oil Plus decanter—which is specifically engineered for optimal oil separation—the partnership is able to convert waste oil and fats into biofuel.