Global Thinned Starch Market Size, Share and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

Thinned Starch Market Size

• The global thinned starch market size was valued at USD 1,065.94 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1,886.98 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 7.40% during the forecast period
• The market growth is largely fuelled by the increasing demand for thinned starch in food processing, beverage, and industrial applications due to its functional properties such as viscosity control, texture enhancement, and stability improvement
• Rising consumption of processed and convenience foods, along with the growing use of starch derivatives in paper, textile, and pharmaceutical industries, is further driving market expansion

Thinned Starch Market Analysis

• The increasing incorporation of thinned starch in sauces, soups, confectionery, and bakery products is enhancing product quality and consumer appeal
• Growing industrial applications, including adhesives, coatings, and biodegradable packaging, are creating new revenue streams and opportunities for thinned starch manufacturers
• North America dominated the thinned starch market with the largest revenue share of 38.5% in 2024, driven by the growing demand from the food processing, bakery, and confectionery industries, as well as increasing applications in industrial sectors such as paper, adhesives, and textiles
• Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the global thinned starch market, driven by increasing population, rising disposable incomes, growing awareness of functional and clean-label ingredients, and expanding applications across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors
• The dry segment held the largest market revenue share in 2024, driven by its ease of storage, longer shelf life, and suitability for large-scale industrial and food applications. Dry thinned starches are particularly preferred for bakery, confectionery, and processed food manufacturing due to their consistent functionality and cost efficiency

Report Scope and Thinned Starch Market Segmentation     

Thinned Starch Market Trends

Increasing Applications of Thinned Starch Across Food and Industrial Sectors

• The growing use of thinned starch in processed foods, confectionery, sauces, and soups is transforming the food industry by improving texture, viscosity, and shelf stability. Its functional properties allow manufacturers to enhance product quality while meeting consumer preferences for consistent taste and appearance. In addition, it helps reduce the reliance on artificial additives, aligning with the trend toward cleaner labels

• Rising demand for thinned starch in industrial applications such as paper, textiles, adhesives, and bioethanol is accelerating market growth. These industries benefit from thinned starch’s thickening, binding, and film-forming properties, which support production efficiency and product performance. The ingredient’s versatility also enables formulation of customized solutions for specialized industrial requirements

• Innovations in modified and specialty thinned starches are making these products more versatile and appealing across multiple sectors. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on clean-label and plant-based solutions to cater to evolving consumer demands and regulatory requirements. These innovations also improve functionality under varying temperature, pH, and processing conditions

• For instance, in 2023, several food and beverage companies in Europe adopted low-viscosity thinned starches for sauces and soups, resulting in improved consistency, reduced production costs, and enhanced consumer acceptance. The change also allowed companies to streamline production processes and achieve better batch-to-batch uniformity

• While expanded applications are driving adoption, market growth depends on continued product innovation, cost optimization, and alignment with clean-label trends and industrial requirements. Companies that can offer sustainable, efficient, and multifunctional thinned starch solutions are likely to gain a competitive edge

Thinned Starch Market Dynamics

Driver

Rising Demand for Clean-Label and Functional Ingredients in Food and Beverages

• Increasing consumer preference for clean-label, natural, and plant-based ingredients is boosting demand for thinned starch as a safe and functional additive. Food manufacturers are incorporating thinned starch to improve texture, stability, and mouthfeel while meeting regulatory standards. This trend is also being driven by health-conscious consumers seeking minimal-processed products

• Growth in the processed food, confectionery, and bakery segments is directly driving thinned starch consumption, as it enhances viscosity, prevents syneresis, and extends shelf life. Manufacturers are leveraging these functional benefits to develop high-quality products that appeal to consumers. Moreover, thinned starch helps reduce production costs and ingredient wastage, increasing operational efficiency

• The adoption of thinned starch in industrial applications such as paper coating, adhesives, and textiles further supports market growth, providing multifunctional properties such as binding, film formation, and thickening. Its ability to improve product performance while being environmentally friendly enhances its attractiveness in sustainable industrial practices

• For instance, in 2022, leading sauce and confectionery manufacturers in North America replaced high-viscosity starches with thinned starch to improve process efficiency and product consistency, driving increased utilization. This led to faster production cycles and higher-quality end products, strengthening brand reliability

• While rising demand across multiple sectors is fueling market growth, ongoing innovation in modified starches and cost-effective production remains crucial for sustained adoption. Companies investing in research to optimize functional properties under different processing conditions will likely capture greater market share

Restraint/Challenge

Volatility in Raw Material Prices and Regulatory Compliance Issues

• Fluctuating prices of starch sources, particularly corn, wheat, and tapioca, create cost uncertainties for manufacturers and may limit the widespread adoption of thinned starch, especially in price-sensitive markets. These price variations often affect profit margins and can delay product launches

• Strict regulatory standards regarding food additives and labeling require manufacturers to ensure compliance, which can increase operational costs and slow product launches. Failure to meet these standards can lead to recalls or restrictions in certain regions, impacting market credibility and company reputation

• Limited awareness of thinned starch applications in emerging markets can hinder growth, as smaller manufacturers may lack technical expertise or knowledge of its functional benefits. This leads to underutilization of the ingredient, and potential opportunities in these regions may remain untapped

• For instance, in 2023, several small-scale food processing units in Southeast Asia reduced thinned starch usage due to rising corn prices and limited knowledge of its benefits, impacting production and adoption. The decision also resulted in inconsistent product quality and higher dependence on alternative thickening agents

• While thinned starch remains a versatile ingredient, addressing price volatility, regulatory challenges, and knowledge gaps is essential for long-term market expansion. Strategic partnerships, educational programs, and transparent supply chains can help overcome these barriers and boost adoption

Thinned Starch Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of form, source, application, and end use.

• By Form

On the basis of form, the thinned starch market is segmented into dry and liquid. The dry segment held the largest market revenue share in 2024, driven by its ease of storage, longer shelf life, and suitability for large-scale industrial and food applications. Dry thinned starches are particularly preferred for bakery, confectionery, and processed food manufacturing due to their consistent functionality and cost efficiency.

The liquid segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, fueled by its ready-to-use nature, ease of incorporation in sauces, soups, and dairy products, and ability to provide uniform viscosity and texture. Liquid thinned starches are increasingly adopted in food processing and industrial applications where rapid dissolution and immediate functionality are essential.

• By Source

On the basis of source, the market is segmented into wheat, corn, potato, cassava, sorghum, and others. Corn-based thinned starch held the largest revenue share in 2024, owing to its high availability, cost-effectiveness, and versatility across food and industrial sectors. Corn thinned starches are widely used in processed foods, confectionery, and paper applications due to their excellent thickening and binding properties.

The cassava segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by its gluten-free nature, high digestibility, and rising adoption in clean-label and plant-based formulations. Cassava thinned starch is increasingly preferred in bakery, sauces, and gluten-free products, particularly in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

• By Application

On the basis of application, the thinned starch market is segmented into texturizers, binders, viscosifiers, emulsifiers, film-formers, and stabilizers. The viscosifier segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024, owing to its crucial role in maintaining consistency, viscosity, and texture in food, dairy, and confectionery products.

The film-former segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, fueled by its adoption in pharmaceuticals, paper, adhesives, and cosmetic coatings. Film-forming thinned starches provide protective, functional, and sustainable coatings, making them essential for industrial and specialty applications.

• By End Use

On the basis of end use, the thinned starch market is segmented into food, bakery, confectionery, dairy, soups, sauces & gravies, snacks, batters & coatings, meat & fish, infant milk formula, textile, pharmaceutical, paper, cosmetic, and animal & fish feed. The food and bakery segments held the largest combined revenue share in 2024, driven by the demand for processed, ready-to-eat, and convenience foods requiring consistent texture and viscosity.

The infant milk formula segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, attributed to increasing health-conscious consumers, rising infant nutrition requirements, and enhanced functional benefits of thinned starch in medicinal formulations and dietary products.

Thinned Starch Market Regional Analysis

• North America dominated the thinned starch market with the largest revenue share of 38.5% in 2024, driven by the growing demand from the food processing, bakery, and confectionery industries, as well as increasing applications in industrial sectors such as paper, adhesives, and textiles

• Manufacturers in the region benefit from advanced production infrastructure, well-established supply chains, and a strong focus on clean-label and functional ingredients, further supporting market growth

• This widespread adoption is also fueled by high consumer awareness regarding processed food quality, and the presence of key market players investing in innovation and specialized starch products

U.S. Thinned Starch Market Insight

The U.S. thinned starch market captured the largest revenue share in North America in 2024, driven by its established food processing industry and high consumption of convenience foods. Rising demand for low-viscosity starches in sauces, soups, and bakery products is boosting adoption, while industrial applications such as adhesives, paper coatings, and textiles further support market expansion. Innovation in specialty starches, coupled with a strong emphasis on clean-label and sustainable solutions, continues to propel the U.S. market forward.

Europe Thinned Starch Market Insight

The Europe thinned starch market is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, primarily driven by the increasing use of starch derivatives in food, beverage, and industrial applications. Stringent regulatory standards regarding food safety and labeling are encouraging manufacturers to adopt high-quality, functional starches. In addition, rising demand for processed and convenience foods, along with the growing popularity of clean-label products, is fostering market growth across countries such as Germany, France, and the U.K.

U.K. Thinned Starch Market Insight

The U.K. thinned starch market is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, fueled by the rising trend of convenience foods and processed products. Demand for starches in bakery, confectionery, and ready-to-eat meals is increasing, while industrial applications in adhesives and paper also contribute to market growth. Consumers’ growing preference for clean-label and plant-based ingredients is pushing manufacturers to innovate and offer specialized thinned starch products that meet regulatory and quality standards.

Germany Thinned Starch Market Insight

The Germany thinned starch market is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by a strong food processing sector and increased use of starch in industrial applications such as paper, textiles, and adhesives. Germany’s focus on sustainable and functional ingredients is promoting the adoption of specialty thinned starches. Moreover, innovation in modified starch products and demand for clean-label food additives are fueling growth across both the food and industrial segments.

Asia-Pacific Thinned Starch Market Insight

The Asia-Pacific thinned starch market is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032, driven by rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and expanding food processing and industrial sectors in countries such as China, India, and Japan. Increasing demand for convenience foods, bakery products, and processed foods is boosting adoption, while industrial applications in paper, adhesives, and textiles further support growth. The region’s emergence as a manufacturing hub for starch products is also improving affordability and accessibility, expanding the consumer base.

Japan Thinned Starch Market Insight

The Japan thinned starch market is expected to witness the fastest growth rate from 2025 to 2032 due to high demand from the processed food industry and industrial sectors. Adoption is driven by consumers’ preference for ready-to-eat meals, bakery, and confectionery products that utilize functional starches. In addition, technological advancements in starch modification and increasing use in industrial applications such as adhesives, paper, and cosmetics are supporting market growth, while clean-label trends further fuel innovation and adoption.

China Thinned Starch Market Insight

The China thinned starch market accounted for the largest revenue share in Asia-Pacific in 2024, attributed to the country’s growing food processing industry, rapid urbanization, and high industrial demand. Thinned starches are increasingly used in sauces, soups, confectionery, bakery, and snack products, as well as in industrial applications such as paper, textiles, and adhesives. The availability of cost-effective starch products, strong domestic production capabilities, and government support for industrial growth are key factors driving market expansion in China.

Thinned Starch Market Share

The Thinned Starch industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• Everest Starch India Pvt. Ltd. (India)
• Tate & Lyle PLC (United Kingdom)
• MGP Ingredients, Inc. (U.S.)
• Roquette Frères S.A. (France)
• Archer Daniels Midland Company (U.S.)
• AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG (Austria)
• Grain Processing Corporation (U.S.)
• SPAC Starch Products Ltd. (India)
• Visco Starch Manufacturers (India)
• Angel Starch & Food Pvt. Ltd. (India)
• Cargill, Inc. (U.S.)

Latest Developments in Global Thinned Starch Market

• In April 2024, Everest Starch India Pvt. Ltd. announced an expansion of its production capacity aimed at catering to the rising demand for thinned starch in the food and beverage industry. This development is designed to strengthen the company’s market presence, enhance supply capabilities, and support manufacturers with consistent, high-quality starch solutions. By scaling operations, Everest Starch is expected to improve its competitiveness in the global thinned starch market and better address the evolving needs of both domestic and international customers
• In May 2024, Tate & Lyle inaugurated new production capacity for dietary fibers at its Boleráz, Slovakia facility, targeting the growing consumer preference for healthier food products. This initiative allows the company to expand its ingredient offerings, support innovation in functional foods, and meet rising global demand efficiently. The expansion reinforces Tate & Lyle’s position as a key supplier of versatile starch-based ingredients and strengthens its influence in the global food and ingredient markets

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