Sustainability and Clean-Label Trends Accelerate Demand for Cassava-Based Solutions

 The global modified cassava starch market is undergoing a transformation—driven by innovation, industrial modernization, and the rising demand for sustainable, plant-based solutions. Estimated at USD 2.52 billion in 2025 and modified cassava starch market size is projected to reach USD 3.37 billion by 2030, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0%. This growth isn't just fueled by more cassava production, but also by how the starch is being reimagined across industries.

A Market Rooted in Industrial Innovation

Modified cassava starch has evolved far beyond its roots in traditional food processing. Today, it's a critical ingredient in sectors as diverse as pharmaceuticals, textiles, paper, and biodegradable packaging. In North America and Europe, it's used for high-temperature stability and viscosity control in large-scale manufacturing, while countries like Indonesia, Nigeria, and Vietnam are using it to upgrade food and textile production processes through semi-automation and improved efficiency.

Cassava Production on the Rise

A key growth driver? The surge in cassava cultivation worldwide. Countries such as Thailand, Brazil, Nigeria, and Indonesia are ramping up production, increasing the global availability of raw starch. This abundance is powering not only food-grade applications but also modified forms designed for specialized industrial uses. As processors invest in modification technologies, they’re creating tailor-made starch solutions for specific needs—offering better pH resistance, viscosity, and shelf stability.

Request Custom Data to Address your Specific Business Needs

North America: The Fastest-Growing Region

While Asia Pacific currently dominates the global market, North America is expected to post the fastest growth through 2030. With rising demand for gluten-free, clean-label, and plant-based foods, North American manufacturers are increasingly turning to cassava starch as a reliable, label-friendly alternative to corn or potato starch. Its clarity, freeze-thaw stability, and versatility give it an edge in processed foods, ready-to-eat meals, and even dairy alternatives.

The region is also witnessing a rise in demand for cassava-based inputs in biodegradable packaging, adhesives, and pharmaceutical excipients—sectors that benefit from cassava’s natural and sustainable properties.

Chemically Modified Starch Leads the Way

Among the various types of modifications, chemically modified cassava starch holds a largest modified cassava starch market share. Through techniques such as oxidation or cross-linking, starch properties are altered to boost heat resistance, improve texture, and ensure stability. These starches are well-suited to large-scale applications in food processing, papermaking, textiles, and adhesives.

Despite the growing interest in clean-label and enzymatic treatments, chemical modification remains dominant due to its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and widespread regulatory approval.

Liquid Starch Gaining Ground

Another notable trend: the rising preference for liquid modified cassava starch. Though dry starch still rules the global market, liquid formats are gaining traction thanks to their ease of integration, rapid solubility, and minimal dust generation. They offer performance consistency in high-throughput environments, especially where convenience and cold-processing are priorities.

Industrial users in the paper and textile sectors are particularly drawn to liquid starches for their process-readiness, energy savings, and reduced handling complexity.

Modified Cassava Starch Leaders and Strategic Expansion

Several major players are shaping the trajectory of this market:

1. Cargill leverages a global sourcing and R&D network to develop modified cassava starch for processed foods, biodegradable packaging, and pharmaceuticals.
2. ADM partners with producers in Thailand and West Africa to create a wide range of specialty starches aligned with trends in plant-based diets and sustainability.
3. Ingredion is a key innovator, with sourcing hubs across Asia and Africa and a strong focus on clean-label, functional starches. The company recently expanded its Thailand facility by 25% to meet growing global demand.

Other significant players include Roquette (France), Thai Wah, Agrana, General Starch Limited, SMS Corporation, and Vietnam Tapioca Starch Solutions, among others.

Outlook: A High-Value, High-Growth Sector

With global cassava production accelerating and technology enabling more customized, efficient, and sustainable starch solutions, the modified cassava starch industry is poised for continued expansion. From functional foods to industrial innovation, cassava starch is becoming a go-to ingredient in the evolving landscape of clean-label, high-performance, and environmentally conscious products.

Key Questions Addressed by Modified Cassava Starch Market Report

1. What are the key factors driving the growth of the modified cassava starch market through 2030?
2. How is the demand for clean-label and plant-based ingredients influencing modified cassava starch usage?
3. Which industries are expected to adopt liquid modified cassava starch more aggressively in the coming years?
4. Why is North America projected to be the fastest-growing region for modified cassava starch?
5. What role does cassava cultivation in countries like Thailand, Nigeria, and Brazil play in shaping global supply?
6. How do chemical modifications compare to enzymatic and physical modifications in terms of market share?
7. What technological innovations are being developed to improve cassava starch functionality for industrial applications?
8. What are the major trends shaping the future of modified cassava starch market?
9. How will technological innovation impact the future of the modified cassava starch market?
10. What role will sustainability play in the future of the modified cassava starch market?