Cargill expands specialty tapioca starch offerings in Asia, to invest $25m in US soybean processing plant
US — US agricultural commodities giant Cargill is partnering with Starpro, a key food grade tapioca starch producer in Thailand, to expand its specialty tapioca starch offerings in the Asia-Pacific region.
The collaboration with Starpro is the latest move by Cargill to grow its specialty starch portfolio in Asia-Pacific, after announcing 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.
According to Cargill, the agreement will cover a full range of locally manufactured modified tapioca starches for the food industry across markets across the region and globally.
“Food manufacturers in Asia are faced with the challenge of meeting rising consumption demand, especially within the convenience and foodservice categories,” says Franck Monmont, managing director of Cargill Starches, Sweeteners & Texturizers Asia.
“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.”
In addition to this high-quality tapioca starch range, Cargill also offers a wide portfolio of starches and starch-based texturizing solutions across different raw materials that provide multi-functional properties to meet the varied needs of Asian customers’ food processes and cuisines.
US$25M improvement of soybean processing plant in Fayetteville
Additionally, Cargill has also announced plans to invest US$25 million to improve production capacity at its soybean processing plant in Fayetteville.
The agricultural commodities giant said it plans to invest US$5 million in real estate improvements and US$20 million in new personal property. The project is set to begin before the end of 2021.
According to a report by World Grain, the decision follows approval by the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners on a six-year performance-based incentive grant that will provide Cargill $600,000 in support of the project.
“Our plant in Cumberland County is an important link in the supply chain for North Carolina farmers and livestock producers, and these investments will help us serve customers more efficiently,” said Don Camden, vice president, Cargill agricultural supply chain North America.
The announcement regarding Cargill’s expansion in North Carolina comes a little less than two months after the US-based agribusiness giant said it would be expanding its US soy processing operations with a US$475 million investment to modernize and develop crush facilities in seven states.
Once completed, the improvements which include faster unloading of oilseeds and loading of products and increased capacity are expected to increase operational efficiency, provide additional market opportunities, and better overall logistics, safety and ease of doing business.
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