Cargill swells tapioca starch footprint in Asia

“Cargill Food manufacturers in Asia face the challenge of meeting rising consumption demand, especially within the convenience and foodservice categories. As leaders in the modified starches industry, this partnership with Starpro will allow us to leverage our collective strengths more effectively to generate greater opportunities for growth, as well as support new innovations and solutions in the future,” said Franck Monmont, managing director of Cargill Starches, Sweeteners & Texturizers Asia. “Our ambition is to be the partner-of-choice for customers in the region by combining deep market and technical knowledge, a robust product offering, and cost optimisation through local manufacturing.”

With the Cargill - Starpro partnership signing ceremony, Cargill expands specialty tapioca starch offerings for Asian food customers, reaffirms commitment to Asia Pacific region

Johnney Hsueh, consultant at Starpro added, “Through this cooperation between Cargill and Starpro, we look forward to promoting the wider use of quality modified tapioca starch among food manufacturers across the world."

The agreement will cover a full range of locally-manufactured modified tapioca starches for the food industry across markets in the Asia-Pacific as well as globally. In addition to this high-quality tapioca starch range, Cargill also offers a wide portfolio of starches and starch-based texturising solutions across different raw materials that provide multi-functional properties to meet the varied needs of Asian customers’ food processes and cuisines.

“Texture is a critical element in the Asian palate. From instant noodles to packaged foods and snacks like Chinese sausages, gyozas, and Japanese mochi, as well as beverages like the perennial favourite bubble tea, Asian consumers are known to seek out textural experience in their foods,” explained Monmont. “As a non-GMO botanical with unique textural properties such as chewiness, springiness, and a clean taste profile, tapioca starch is well suited to help food manufacturers meet the product expectations of Asian consumers.”

This signing with Starpro is the latest move by Cargill to grow its specialty starch portfolio in the Asia-Pacific, after the announcements of the expansion of a cold-water swelling starch line at its sweetener plant in Pandaan, Indonesia, as well as the construction of a modified starch plant in Songyuan, China.

As part of the company’s long-term strategic vision to grow its presence in the Asia-Pacific, Cargill has also made many significant investments in the region in recent years:

• Construction of a new $100 million corn wet mill and starch dryer in Pandaan, Indonesia;

• Launch of its first chocolate manufacturing operation in India;

• Openiing of ts first food innovation centre in Singapore;

• Celebrating 40 years in Malaysia and total operational investment of nearly $450 million;

• Growth in Thailand with $70 million investment in seafood and poultry, total investment of more than $1.15 billion after 50 years in the country.