The Markets - Non-Food

Industrial applications

One of the earliest known industrial uses of starch was to 'size' and stiffen textiles. This is still true, but today starch does much more : it is added to individual yarns to increase mechanical strength and resistance to friction wear, and helps resist moisture penetration. And it can serve as a stabiliser and filler for coloured inks when fabrics are overprinted

The detergent industry uses starch products for the production of biodegradable, non-toxic and skin friendly detergents.

Starch products are also used in an array of less obvious applications : in fermentation – for the production of amino acids, organic acids, enzymes and yeast, by the chemical industry – for the production of surfactants, polyurethanes, resins, and in biodegradable plastics. But also in the construction industry – for concrete admixtures, plasters and insulation, as well as in oil drilling, mineral and metal processing.

Paper and board applications

Starch products are used in paper bags, tissues and packaging paper, corrugating board, and stationery – for wet end addition, size-press, surface coating. It would be virtually impossible to make paper in all its current varieties and qualities without the help of starch products, because internal strength and surface "feel" both depend on it. Starch also improves the printability and writing properties of paper. It is added at several stages of the production process : while the paper is still a cellulose pulp, when it is passing through the drying rollers, and as a final coating to meet the many special requirements of printer.

Starches are also essential in the production of recycled paper.

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications

Starches are a source for use in pharmaceuticals and make a variety of contributions – from binder to sugarless sweetener – to products as disparate as toothpaste, tablets, emulsions, lotions, liquid medicines and creams. Human well-being and, indeed, survival are also dependent on the role starch plays in the production of antibiotics, vitamins, penicillin, dialysis solutions, enteral nutrition, drip-feed systems, and even blood plasma substitutes. Starch is also used quite extensively in cosmetic, make up and healthcare products.