Global starch consumption to reach 80 million tonnes by 2015, market researcher says; liquid starch to remain largest segment between 2007-2015 as modified starch will be fastest growing segment during period

Alison Gallant

SAN JOSE, California , January 19, 2012 (press release) – GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Starch Market. Despite witnessing a temporary deceleration in growth in the year 2008 and 2009, the world market for starch, by consumption is expected to recover poise and register healthy growth to reach 80 million metric tons by 2015. Growth in this market will primarily be driven by resurgence of demand fundamentals, such as, improving income levels, and waxing propensity to spend, and the subsequent increase in demand for a variety of food & manufactured products in the country.

Starch, one of most omnipresent biomaterials, with unique biodegradability and solubility characteristics, has witnessed significant developments over the years. As a result, the simple product now stands transformed into a valuable ingredient, offering myriad application benefits in both food as well as non-food industries. Earlier limited to simple applications such as shaping puddings, laundry spray, and sizing cotton threads, starch has now come to become an indispensable ingredient for food, feed and non-food industrial sectors across the globe. On the flipside, this growing demand for starch is increasingly exerting pressure on production capacities and supply mechanisms. This behavioral supply and demand responses is pushing up the prices of raw materials used in production of starch i.e. starch containing crops.

With no immediate respite from rising raw material costs seen on the horizon, the price increases is expected to take its toll on corporate profit margins, given that majority of end-use markets for starch are price sensitive in nature, which makes it difficult for manufacturers to transfer increased production costs to the end-user. Against this backdrop, manufacturers have been seeking multiple options, such as, consolidation, rationalization and streamlining of production operations to hedge the impact of rising costs of raw materials on profit margins. Despite the damper cast by the recent global economic slowdown over the growth prospects of worldwide starch market, certain segments are forecast to emerge into encouraging bright spots for growth in the next few years. The global Starch market is expected to witness respite from deceleration in its market growth, with growth poised to receive a new lease of life in the next few years, thanks to the growing consumption of liquid starches and modified starches.

As stated by the new market research report on Starch, the liquid starch market will continue to remain the largest segment over the analysis period 2007-2015. The modified starch market is projected to be the fastest growing segment over the period 2007-2015. This growth in the modified starch segment is due to the waxing health awareness across the globe and growing functional and nutritional needs in global economies, which demands use of innovative modified starches. The US represents the largest geographic market for starch, having accounted for a share of about 51% in the total volume of starch consumed in 2009. Given the country’s large per-capita income, the demand for starch in the US has been steadily on the rise. Asia-Pacific represents the fastest growing market over the analysis period 2007-2015. Growing employment opportunities, and subsequent increase in per-capita income over the last few years, particularly in China and India, have been driving the growing demand for starch in the region. A robust industry structure and deployment of improved technologies for starch processing are resulting an increasing production of starch in the region.

Some of the key players operating in this market include Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, AVEBE Group B.A., BENEO-Remy NV, Cargill, Inc., Chemstar Products Company, China Essence Group Ltd., Grain Processing Corporation, National Starch Food Innovation, Penford Corporation, SYRAL S.A.S., and Tate and Lyle Plc.

The report titled “Starch: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, product overview, product introductions/innovations, and recent industry activity. The study analyzes market data and analytics in terms of consumption (in Thousand Metric Tons) for regions including The United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of World. The study also analyzes market segments including Dry Starch (Native, Modified & Other Dry Starches) and Liquid Starch.

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world’s largest market research publishers. The company employs over 800 people worldwide and publishes more than 1100 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers thousands of smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports, and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

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