Modified Starch Market Size - By Raw Material, Modification Type, Function, Application, Form, Growth Forecast, 2025-2034

Modified Starch Market Size

The global modified starch market size reached USD 14.4 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 15.2 billion in 2025 to USD 25.7 billion in 2034, at a CAGR of 6%.
 

The global market for modified starch is experiencing rapid expansion due to its diverse applications in the food, pharmaceutical, paper, textile, and packaging industries. Derived from natural starch through physical, enzymatic, or chemical modifications, modified starches possess improved functionalities including stability, thickening, emulsification, and film-forming. These features make them a necessity as functional ingredients for processing across industries.
 

The food and beverages industry, which constitutes a large portion of the market, relies heavily on modified starches due to their contributions to texture, consistency, and shelf-life. Some of the major applications include bakery and confectionery products, dairy products, soups, sauces, dressings, and beverages. Increased consumer preference for convenience and processed foods is a major factor that drives the modified starch market. In addition, growing concerns regarding health are responsible for the increased use of clean-label modified starches which are regarded as natural and safe.
 

The pharmaceutical industry is yet another key sector of interest which incorporates modified starch as excipients and drug delivery systems. Starch derivatives assist in the formulation of tablets, disintegration and controlled release mechanisms, efficacy, and patient compliance. The paper and pulp industry also joins the food and pharmaceutical industry as another quite significant sector, where modified starch is used for the improvement of strength, smoothness, and printability of paper.
 

Sizing and finishing textile manufacturers utilize them to enhance the fabric quality. New such uses include bioplastics and sustainable packaging which have high potential growth opportunities due to increased concern about the environment and government policies regarding biodegradable substances.
 

Regionally, because of high industrial growth, growth in population and processed foods, the Asia-Pacific is anticipated to lead the market. On the other hand, North America and Europe continue to experience steady demand, driven by mature industries and the pace of innovation and technologies. Recall some challenges like volatility of raw materials prices and multi-pronged rules there are still predominant emerging opportunities like further research and changes in marketing strategies on the lately developed biopolymers are likely to expand the market to meet changing industrial needs and sustainability objectives
 

Modified Starch Market Trends

Clean Label and Natural Ingredient Demand: The world is currently witnessing a heightened focus that revolves around the processing standards and the ingredients used in a particular food product. This has, in turn, increased the demand for modified food starches that are produced through clean label processes that do not employ harsh processing conditions or the use of preservatives.
 

To meet the market demand, clean label modified food starches from soybeans are now being produced which are non-GMO or organic. These modified starches serve the purpose of thickeners, and stabilizers in food emulsions while catering to the consumer’s demands for safe products. This phenomenon is more pronounced in North America and Europe because of higher levels of the population being more health-aware coupled with stringent regulatory frameworks. This is bound to result in spending on modified starches geared towards innovation.
 

Sustainability and Biodegradable Packaging: Addressing the increasing concern for the environment has led to the development of new sustainable and biodegradable materials, specifically modified starches for use in packaging. Bioplastics made from modified starches are being developed as substitutes for traditional petroleum-based plastics. These bioplastics are also compostable and biodegradable, and therefore, can alleviate the problems of plastic waste and pollution.
 

Start-up enterprises alongside established corporations are working to improve the characteristics of starch-based bioplastics for better mechanical strength and water resistance. This is part of the global initiative to reduce carbon emissions and promote circular economies which, at the same time, earmarks modified starches as a critical component for sustainable packaging.
 

Technological Advancements in Starch Modification: The growth of starch modification technology is fostering the creation of functional modified starches address to industrial needs. The changes on a starch’s properties such as solubility, viscosity, thermal stability, and ability to form a film are being done through chemical, physical, and enzymatic processes. These modifications broaden the applications of starches in food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and paper manufacturing.
 

For example, enzymatic modification is gaining popularity owing to the production of resistant starches which has a potential use in dietetic foods and animal feeds. The increased use of modification technologies is fuelling market growth because of the specific solutions for the particular requirements of different industries.
 

Modified Starch Market Analysis

On the basis of raw material, the modified starch market is segmented into corn, cassava, potato, wheat, rice, and others. Corn holds a significant share at a valuation of USD 6.9 billion in 2024.
 

• Modified starch can be obtained from different natural raw materials which offer distinct properties and advantages. Corn Starch is the most abundant and used raw material throughout the world because it is readily available and inexpensive. It gives excellent thickening and versatility in different industries.
   
• Cassava Starch is derived from the root of cassava and is known for lack of gluten and high stabilizing strength making it useful for food products that need transparency as well as freeze-thaw stability and clarify. Potato Starch is well known for purity and its granular structure which makes it highly enzymatically modified to produce specialized functional starches.
   
• Particularly in resistant starch applications which enhance health benefits and functional binding in foods, Wheat Starch is used. Because of its delicate structure and bland taste, Rice Starch is preferred for hypoallergenic formulations and fat replacers. Otherwise, tapioca, sago and other cereals are becoming popular custom functional products for optimal towards the desired characteristics.
   
• The selection of the raw material has an impact on the final product texture, stability, and performance. These natural starches need modification in order to increase their usefulness for certain applications. Decisions regarding selection are made based on factors such as where it is available, its price, and what industry it is intended to have an effect on, thus impacting the global supply chain of modified starches in food, pharmaceutical and industrial goods.
   

On the basis of modification type, the modified starch market is segmented into physical, chemical, enzymatic, and resistant. Chemical holds the market share of 67.2% in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 5.6% of CAGR during the forecast period.
 

• Improvements to functional attributes of starches are obtained through various modification techniques which include physical, chemical, enzymatic, and resistant starch modifications. Granules’ structure is altered by processes such as heat treatment and pre-gelatinization, which defines Physical Modification without changing their chemical process. The method increases water absorption and thickening ability, while still preserving its natural ingredient state making it favourable for clean label products. Chemical alteration includes cross-linking, oxidation, acetylation, including other functional group addition reactions which improve the property of molecules forming starch and improve its stability, viscosity, resistance to heat, acid, and shear forces.
   
• Incorporation of these modifications adds greater effectiveness in stabilizers and binders for bakery and confectionery applications. Modification Enzymatic underlines the use of particular enzymes for the selective hydrolysis or rearrangement of starch molecules which alters required functions such as emulsifying and producing resistant starch. These techniques are beneficial and more environmentally safe.
   
• Resistant starch modification changes the structure of starch making it indigestible in the small intestine which increases dietary fibres and provides health benefits along with other useful properties such as binding and thickening. All these modifications provide useful properties to aid in meeting specific industrial needs for food, pharmaceutical, textile, and packaging industries.
   

On the basis of function, the modified starch market is segmented into thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, binders, fat replacers, and others. Thickeners estimated to grasp a value of USD 7.8 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow at a 5.6% of CAGR during the forecast period.
 

• The primary functions of modified starch include thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, binding, and fat replacement, each essential across multiple industries. Thickening is a critical function in food and beverage formulations, where modified starch increases viscosity and improves texture in soups, sauces, and dairy products, enhancing mouthfeel and product consistency. Stabilizers help maintain structural integrity, preventing ingredient separation and syneresis in bakery, confectionery, and processed foods, ensuring longer shelf life and improved consumer experience.
   
• Emulsifying starches are vital in dairy and cosmetic applications, stabilizing oil-in-water mixtures to create smooth, homogenous products with enhanced creaminess. Binding functions support product cohesion in soups, sauces, dressings, and pharmaceutical tablets, preventing phase separation and improving texture. Fat replacers based on starch offer low-calorie alternatives that mimic the sensory properties of fats, widely used in beverages and reduced-fat food products to meet health trends.
   
• Additionally, modified starches serve other specialized roles such as film formation in packaging, nutrient delivery in pharmaceuticals, and fibre enrichment through resistant starch. The multifunctionality of modified starches supports innovation and product differentiation across industries, enabling manufacturers to meet evolving consumer demands for quality, health benefits, and sustainability.
   

On the basis of application, the modified starch market is segmented into food & beverage, paper & pulp, pharmaceuticals, textile, animal feed, cosmetics & personal care, bioplastics & packaging. Food & beverage estimated to grab a value of USD 7.7 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow at a 5.5% of CAGR during the forecast period.
 

• Some of the industries which use food starches consider thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, binding, and fat replacement as the primary functions for those food starches. In the food and beverage industry, the thickening function is especially critical as modified starch enhances the viscosity and mouthfeel of products such as soups, sauces, and even certain dairy products. This also aids in achieving greater consistency. Stabilizers serve as guard rails in controlling the structural integrity of elements in confectionary, bakery, and other processed foods by controlling ingredient separation and syneresis, thus improving their shelf life and the consumer experience.
   
• Dairy and cosmetics also use emulsifying starches which perform the vital function of stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions to provide creamy and smooth products while ensuring homogeneity. Binding functions assist in holding the various ingredients in dressings, sauces, soups, and even pharmaceutical tablets all together. This keeps the various phases from separating while also improving the texture of the product. Starch based fat replacers are extremely popular in modern beverages and reduced-fat food products because they mimic the sensory properties of fat while being low in calories.
   
• Also, the modified starches perform other specialized roles like film formation in packaging, resistant starch for fibre enrichment, and nutrient delivery in some pharmaceuticals. The diverse modification levels of food starches lead to enhanced innovation and product differentiation in the different industries as the consumers’ need for quality, health, and sustainability keeps on changing/surging.
   

On the basis of form, the modified starch market is segmented into dry and liquid. Dry estimated to grab a value of USD 9.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow at a 6.3% of CAGR during the forecast period.
 

• Modified starch is typically dry powders, liquids, or gels, with each form having an application. Dry powders, like spray-dried powders, have long shelf lives with low costs of storage. Their popularity in food processing is unmatched due to their easy rehydration capability and precise measured dosages required in food thickeners and binders for baked products, sauces, and soups. Liquid forms of modified starch offer a more cost-effective solution during incorporation into continuous processes as uniformity and consistency of final products, like baked fillings, dairy products, and soft drinks are guaranteed.
   
• These include dissolved or suspended chemically modified starches which provide immediate functionality with rapid mixing. Ready-to-use thickening and stabilizing action is instantly provided by gels and pastes, profoundly used in food and cosmetics industries for texture enhancement. Manufacturing preferences along with end use application requirements drive the form choice adding impact to functionality, flexibility formulation, and starch handling.
   
• Performance and availability of modified starches is enhanced with advancements in drying and formulation technologies which have broadened the range of industries, from pharmaceuticals and food to packaging, modified starches can be used in. Each industry has different processing requirements making the choice of form tailored dependent on gel or paste use.

The modified starch market is dominated by U.S, which accounted for a revenue of USD 3.6 billion of total revenue in 2024.
 

• The U.S. modified starch market is a crucial part of the overall starch market because of the size of the food processing, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries in the country. Modified starch in the U.S. is in demand because of its importance in convenience foods, bakery products, dairy, and beverages where it serves as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, and fat replacer.
   
• Convenience foods are extremely popular in the U.S. along with a shift in consumer focus on healthy foods which has increased the demand for functional food ingredients. Furthermore, enhanced consumer awareness of dietary constituents has aided the market growth for modified starch in the country.
   
• Modified starch is cited as a widely used excipient and drug delivery agent within the U.S. pharmaceutical sector, thus supports the steady growth of the market. In addition, the industrial use of starch in paper & pulp, textiles, and bioplastics increases the scope of use. The modified starch market is further aided by the advanced industrial research facilities in the country which allows the construction of customized functional starch derivatives. However, competition from other hydrocolloids, changing regulation policies, and the price of raw materials can limit the growth of the market.
   

Modified Starch Market Share

The modified starch industry is quite detailed and has a dynamic competitive landscape with Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Cargill, Incorporated, Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, and Roquette Frères as prominent global personalities. With ADM, they have an extensive agricultural network along with a robust innovation pipeline, which enables them to produce various starch derivatives for food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial parts. Their investment in increasing production capacity and USC based facility expansion is a boon for the market.
 

Through a versatile portfolio of modified starches that prioritize sustainability and functionality, Cargill occupies a relevant place in the market. Cargill’s international scope and focus on clean-label solutions enables it to serve effectively health concerned consumers and industries looking for natural ingredients. Sustainably growing innovation solutions and diversification in food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals give Cargill a competitive edge over many market players.
 

Ingredion is well recognized due to their strong focus on health and wellness reconciling it with business by providing clean-label natural starch alternatives responding to changing consumers’ demands. Their extensive distribution coverage and commercial partnerships enable rich market access, particularly in North America and Asia. To defend its position as a leader in specialty starches, Ingredion invests heavily in technology developing product innovation.
 

Tate & Lyle positions itself uniquely in the marketplace with highly sophisticated product innovations, for example, the clean label freeze-thaw stable starch, targeting niche market gaps. The functional and tailored starch solutions offered by the company supports a range of applications in bakery and dairy products. Non-GMO and plant-based starches from Roquette Frères focus on texture and stability for specific dairy and bakery segments.
 

Their strong focus on sustainable sourcing and innovation enhances their brand image as a trusted supplier in niche markets. All these companies together propel the modified starch market with innovations in sustainability and augmenting capabilities leading to fierce competition and growth.
 

Modified Starch Market Companies

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM): ADM is a worldwide agribusiness company that deals with the processing of oilseeds, corn, and wheat. The company’s starches segment within granulated starches focuses on providing modified starches for food, drinks, pharmaceuticals, and industrial usage. Through its controlled supply chain and R&D resources, ADM develops sustainable and functional starches that serve diverse customers around the globe. ADM continues to be a manufacturer with strategic expansion investments in production capacity aimed at sustaining growth with technology advancements and broadening modified starch market application regions.
 

Cargill, Incorporated: This company is known for its innovation on sustainable starch products. As a global food and agriculture firm, Cargill holds a significant modified starch portfolio that focuses on clean-label and natural solutions across the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. With Cargill’s in integrated supply chain, the company is able to produce and deliver efficiently. This enables them to maintain their strong global presence. Cargill is a market leader because they are constantly batching in production and investment in research and development for new functional work-in modified specialty starches that improve texture, stability, and nutrition value of products. This has solidified them as a frontrunner.
 

Ingredion Incorporated: Focused on ingredient solutions, Ingredion relies heavily on natural and specialty starches. Through its vast array of modified starches intended for food, beverage, and industrial use, the company responds to consumer demand for health-oriented clean label products. The innovation engineered by Ingredion drives sustainable starch production and advances the functionality of the starches. Its extensive global footprint coupled with strategic partnerships allows broad reach to the market, making it easy for companies looking to enhance the compliance of their products with standards and regulations to trust such suppliers.
 

Tate & Lyle PLC: Tate & Lyle is a global supplier of specialty ingredients who focuses specially on the innovation of modified starches. They gran free-from labelled leach-resistant starches and instant starches to food, beverage, and industrial customers. Custom tailored starches for better texture, product durability, and overall performance are developed through the R&D departments of the company. Sustainability in addition to collaboration with customers helps the company expand their global presence strengthen their competitive advantage.
 

Roquette Frères: Roquette Frères is renowned for its manufacturing of agri-food ingredients and specializing non-GMO agri-food modified starches for food and pharmaceutical use. The company roquettes has dairy, bakery, and nutrition services that target application based on their level of compositional textural, stability, and sensory attributes enhancement. With a greater part of its business in Europe, but with increasing activities across the world, together with its reputation for the eco-friendly and economical sustainable practices and innovation of functional Agro-food ingredients in the modified starch industry, Roquette is valued for the strengthened and growing marked focus.
 

Modified Starch Industry News:

• In June 2024, Roquette Frères released Beauty by Roquette ST 730, a hydroxypropyl starch for use in classic cellulosic cosmetic products marking another step towards sustainable beauty.
   
• In May 2024, NOVATION Indulge 2940, a non-GMO native corn starch developed by Ingredion Incorporated, enhances the texture of both dairy and non-dairy products for health-oriented customers.
   
• In April 2024, Roquette Freres released the CLEARAM TR line of hydro propylated botanical suppositories that are hydroxy propylated tapioca starches which are texturized and free of protein allergens for various food uses.
   
• In February 2024, Rogers and Lye developed a modified starch for alternatives to plant-based meat products that enhances texture and mouthfeel to satisfy increasing demand for plant-based food items.
   
• In October 2023, Roquette Frères released a non-GMO corn modified starch designed for textural, stability, and mouthfeel enhancement in reduced fat and sugar dairy and bakery goods.
   

The modified starch market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in (USD Billion) & Volume in (Kilo Tons) from 2021 - 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Raw material

• Corn
• Cassava
• Potato
• Wheat
• Rice
• Others

Market, By Modification type

• Physical
• Chemical
• Enzymatic
• Resistant

Market, By Function

• Thickeners
• Stabilizers
• Emulsifiers
• Binders
• Fat replacers
• Others

Market, By Application

• Food & beverage
  • Bakery & confectionery
  • Dairy products
  • Soups, sauces & dressing
  • Beverage
  • Processed foods
  • Infant food
  • Others
• Paper & pulp
• Pharmaceuticals
  • Excipients
  • Drug delivery systems
  • Others
• Textile
• Animal feed
• Cosmetics & personal care
• Bioplastics & packaging

Market, By Form

• Dry
• Liquid

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE