HYDERABAD, India, Feb. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — According to Mordor Intelligence, the global modified starch market size is valued at USD 17.15 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 19.90 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 2.67% during the forecast period. Market expansion is being driven by rising consumption of processed and ready-to-eat foods, rapid urbanization, and changing dietary patterns—particularly in developing economies. Beyond food, modified starch continues to gain importance in paper, textile, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, where performance consistency and cost efficiency are critical.
At the same time, environmental regulations and sustainability targets are influencing how starches are modified and manufactured, encouraging a gradual shift away from chemical treatments toward physical and process-based modification techniques.
Key Trends in the Modified Starch Market
Clean Label Innovation and Sustainability: The modified starch market is being revolutionized by the clean label movement, where physical modification techniques like cold plasma and pulsed electric field technologies are replacing chemical treatments. These advancements allow manufacturers to enhance viscosity and freeze-thaw stability while maintaining ‘natural’ ingredient status. Beyond food, this trend is expanding the modified starch market size within industrial sectors like paper and textiles, where starch-based cationic agents are replacing petroleum-derived polymers to improve fiber retention and reduce wastewater pollution in line with global decarbonization goals.
Functional Essentiality in Plant-Based and Dairy Sectors: Growth in the modified starch market is increasingly tied to the plant-based explosion, as specialized starches are engineered to replicate the fibrous texture of muscle tissue in meat analogs. In the dairy sector, these ingredients serve as critical stabilizers that allow for fat reduction without compromising creaminess, helping brands navigate fluctuating input costs. By offering tailored solutions for complex gelling and water-binding needs, suppliers are capturing a larger modified starch market share, positioning these versatile carbohydrates as indispensable tools for achieving sensory parity in vegan and health-conscious formulations.
For a full breakdown of market size, segmentation data, and competitive intelligence, access the details of the Mordor Intelligence report: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/modified-starch-market?utm_source=prnewswire
Modified Starch Market Segmentation Highlights
By Type
- Pregelatinized Starch
- Acid Modified
- Oxidised Strach
- Cationic Starch
- Acetylated Starch
- Others
By Source
- Maize/Corn
- Wheat
- Potato
- Tapioca
- Others
By Application
- Food and Beverage
- Animal Feed
- Pharmaceuticals
- Personal Care & Cosmetics
- Textile
- Paper and Corrugating
- Others
By Form
- Powder
- Liquid
Regional Dynamics Reflect Industrial and Food Processing Strength
- North America remains a key market, supported by advanced food processing infrastructure, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and abundant corn supply. Demand for non-GMO and physically modified starches creates premium opportunities.
- Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region, driven by rapid industrialization, expanding food processing capacity, and rising pharmaceutical production in China and India. The region’s diverse agricultural base supports source diversification beyond corn.
- Europe’s market is shaped by stringent environmental regulations and sustainability mandates, with investments focused on energy-efficient processing and circular-economy practices.
Competitive Landscape Shifts Toward Value-Added Solutions
The global modified starch market shows moderate concentration, with multinational ingredient suppliers competing alongside regional specialists. Leading players are prioritizing innovation in clean-label, specialty, and application-specific starches rather than expanding commodity capacity.
Competition is most intense in food applications, while pharmaceutical and industrial segments offer greater differentiation potential due to higher technical and regulatory barriers. Vertical integration and sustainability investments are becoming critical to maintaining modified starch market share as the industry transitions from volume-driven growth to value-based competition.
Key Companies Operating in the Modified Starch Market
- Roquette Freres
- Ingredion Incorporated
- Cargill, Incorporated
- Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Tate & Lyle Plc
Check out related reports published by Mordor Intelligence:
Starch Derivatives Market Size Analysis – The starch derivatives market report segments the industry by type (glucose syrup, high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin, and others), source (maize, wheat, tapioca, potato, and other sources), form (powder and liquid), application (food and beverage, pharmaceutical industry, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and others). The starch derivatives market size is projected to grow from USD 45.93 billion in 2025 to USD 47.64 billion in 2026 and is further forecast to reach USD 57.17 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 3.71% during the 2026–2031.
Corn Starch Market Share Analysis – The corn starch market was valued at USD 30.12 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 40.25 billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 6.89% during the forecast period. Growth is being driven by rising clean-label requirements, increasing adoption of bio-based industrial feedstocks, and regulatory support for natural ingredients across food, pharmaceutical, and paper value chains.
Pea Starch Market Growth Trends Analysis – The pea starch market was valued at USD 194.32 million in 2025 and is estimated to grow from USD 209.16 million in 2026 to reach USD 302.18 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.64% during the forecast period (2026–2031). This growth is supported by rising demand for clean-label formulations and favorable policies promoting sustainable protein and starch alternatives.
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