Starch Derivatives Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (Glucose Syrup, Modified Starch, Maltodextrin), Source (Corn), Form, Function (Thickener, Binder), Application (Food & Beverage, Papermaking, Pharmaceuticals) - Global Forecast to 2031

The Starch Derivatives Market was valued at $46.26 billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $70.48 billion by 2031 from an estimated $48.71 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period 2024–2031.

Starch Derivatives Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is driven by the rising demand for processed foods, the increasing demand for starch derivatives for industrial applications beyond food, and technological advancements in production processes. Moreover, growing innovations in modified starch and increasing adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly practices are expected to create growth opportunities for the stakeholders in this market. Furthermore, the growing demand for clean-label products is a prominent trend in the starch derivatives market.

Key Findings in the Starch Derivatives Market

• By Type: In 2024, the Glucose Syrup Segment Is Expected to Dominate the Starch Derivatives Market.
• By Source: In 2024, the Corn Segment Is Expected to Dominate the Starch Derivatives Market.
• By Form: In 2024, the Dry Segment Is Expected to Dominate the Starch Derivatives Market.
• By Function: In 2024, the Thickener Segment Is Expected to Dominate the Starch Derivatives Market.
• By Application: In 2024, the Food & Beverage Segment Is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Starch Derivatives Market.
• By Geography: In 2024, North America Is Expected to Dominate the Starch Derivatives Market.

Starch Derivatives Market Growth Drivers

Rising Demand for Processed Foods

The increasing global population, increasingly busy work schedules, changing dietary patterns, and rising disposable income levels of the middle-class population are major factors driving the demand for processed foods. Further, the demand for starch derivatives is increasing due to their convenience, high storage stability, consistent shelf life, and ability to improve the quality of processed foods.

Processed foods such as snacks, ready-to-eat foods, beverages, and baked goods require specific ingredients to improve their texture, appearance, and overall quality. Starch derivatives or modified starches are used to meet these needs. For instance, modified starches improve the texture of bread and cakes, increase their freshness, and delay fatigue. Maltodextrin, a starch derivative, is also used in beverages to enhance palatability and sweetness, providing a smooth and consistent experience.

Additionally, as consumers become more health-conscious, there is a shift away from artificial additives, increasing the preference for natural ingredients, including starch derivatives, such as modified starch derived from natural sources such as corn, potatoes, and cassava. Starch derivatives are highly preferred over synthetic additives. Therefore, the shift to processed, convenient, and high-quality foods is driving the demand for starch derivatives as they improve the texture, consistency, and overall quality of processed foods.

Increasing Demand for Starch Derivatives in Industrial Applications Beyond Food

The increasing consumption of food products and the growing non-food applications of starch derivatives are driving the growth of this market. Starch derivatives ranging from maltodextrin to glucose syrup, cyclodextrins, and modified starches have been integrated into numerous industries, highlighting the versatility of starch derivatives. This versatility makes them essential in food as well as non-food industries.

In non-food applications, starch derivatives are preferred for their functional properties (film-forming, thickening, adhesive, stabilizing, and binding). For instance, according to Starch Europe, in 2023, the EU consumed 7.2 million tons of starch, of which 45% was used in non-food applications, mainly papermaking. Modified starches help enhance the strength, texture, and printability of paper. In the textiles industry, they are applied in sizing, finishing, and dyeing operations to improve fabric quality. Biodegradability and eco-friendliness make starch derivatives an essential component of adhesives, concrete admixtures, and coatings in the construction industry.

The pharmaceutical and personal care industries are among the major users of starch derivatives. Starch derivatives are used as excipients, binders, and drug delivery agents in pharmaceuticals and as thickeners, emulsion stabilizers, and moisture retention agents in personal care products. Moreover, consumers' increasing interest in sustainable and biodegradable alternatives from these industries is creating newer avenues for the adoption of starch-based solutions over synthetic chemicals.

With the increasing demand for sustainable, versatile, and cost-effective ingredients across industries, the starch derivatives market is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The wide applications of starch derivatives in the industrial sector, excluding food, have established them as important constituents in a rapidly changing industrial landscape. Thus, the increasing demand for starch derivatives in industrial applications is driving the growth of this market.

Starch Derivatives Market Opportunities

Increasing Adoption of Sustainable and Eco-friendly Practices

Growing environmental awareness among consumers and industries is bolstering the demand for natural, biodegradable, and renewable products such as starch derivatives. Starch derivatives are manufactured from plant sources such as corn, potatoes, and wheat and can replace artificial additives, chemicals, and plastics. They are used in food & beverage products, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and packaging as thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers or as bio-based material in green packaging. In addition, companies are investing in the development of efficient & adaptable starch derivatives with a lower carbon footprint. Regulatory support for sustainable materials is accelerating innovation in starch-based alternatives, such as the development of bioplastics and green coatings, generating market growth opportunities.

Starch Derivatives Market Analysis: Top Market Opportunity

By Type: The Glucose Syrup Segment to Dominate the Starch Derivatives Market in 2024

Based on type, the starch derivatives market is segmented into glucose syrup, modified starch, maltodextrin, hydrolysates, cyclodextrin, and others. In 2024, the glucose syrup segment is expected to account for the largest share of the starch derivatives market. This segment’s large market share is primarily attributed to the widespread use of glucose syrup in the food and beverage industry, the functional benefits of glucose syrup, and the rising global consumption of convenience and processed foods. Furthermore, the applications of glucose syrup extend to the pharmaceutical industry, where it is used in liquid formulations, and the cosmetics industry, where it is used due to its moisturizing properties.

However, the maltodextrin segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period 2024–2031. The high growth of this segment is mainly driven by the increasing consumer focus on health and wellness, coupled with the rising demand for low-calorie and sports nutrition products and the increasing demand for clean-label & natural ingredients. Maltodextrin is also used in non-food applications, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care products, where it is used for binding, thickening, and stabilizing.

Geographical Analysis

North America Dominates the Starch Derivatives Market in 2024

Based on geography, the starch derivatives market is segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the starch derivatives market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. North America's significant market share can be attributed to the well-established food & beverage industry, the presence of key manufacturers, the rising demand for convenience and processed foods, and the increased use of starch derivatives in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and bio-based products in the region.

However, Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period 2024–2031. The high growth of this regional market is mainly driven by the rising population, increasing urbanization, and growing middle class with higher disposable incomes, leading to greater consumption of processed foods in the region. Additionally, the increasing availability of convenience foods & beverages, the expanding food processing sector, and the rising focus on health and wellness are boosting the demand for clean-label and functional ingredients, including starch derivatives. The region's growing pharmaceutical and textile industries, coupled with the expanding industrial applications of starch derivatives, also contribute to the market’s high growth.

Key Companies

The report offers a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the leading players’ product portfolios, geographic presence, and key growth strategies adopted in the last three to four years. Some of the key players operating in the starch derivatives market are Cargill, Incorporated (U.S.), Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (U.S.), Ingredion Incorporated (U.S.), Tate & Lyle Plc (U.K.), Roquette Frères (France), AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG (Austria), Grain Processing Corporation (U.S.), Royal Avebe (Netherlands), Emsland-Stärke GmbH (Germany), Asia Fructose Co., Ltd. (Thailand), SMS Corporation Co., Ltd. (Thailand), Crespel & Deiters GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Foodchem International Corporation (China), SPAC Starch Products Ltd. (India) Private Limited (India), and Angel Starch and Foods Pvt. Ltd. (India).

Starch Derivatives Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In August 2024, Roquette Frères (France) launched a range of four tapioca-based cook-up starches. CLEARAM TR 2010, CLEARAM TR 2510, CLEARAM TR 3010, and CLEARAM TR 4010 were developed to address the unmet texture needs of food manufacturers and complement existing botanical sources within the broader range.
• In September 2023, Tate & Lyle PLC (U.K.) partnered with IMCD N.V. (Netherlands) to distribute PROMITOR Soluble Fibres, CLARIA Clean Label Starches, stevia sweeteners, and stabilizer systems to its customers in Finland and the Baltic region.
• In April 2022, Royal Avebe (Netherlands) launched Etenia ES, a new multifunctional texturizing potato solution for creamy dairy products.

Starch Derivatives Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the starch derivatives market report: