Top 10 Companies in the Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Industry (2026): Transforming Global Food and Industrial Supply Chains

In Business Insights
February 14, 2026


The Global Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Market was valued at USD 75,750 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 108,460 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.4% during the forecast period (2025–2034). This sustained growth is fueled by rising demand from the food and beverage industry, expansion into high-value pharmaceutical and industrial applications, and the strategic focus of key players on innovation and sustainable ingredient solutions.

As industries worldwide seek bio-based and multifunctional ingredients, the corn processing sector stands at the forefront of this transformation. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Industry—a group of agricultural giants and specialized processors shaping the future of food, feed, and industrial materials.


🔟 1. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Native & Modified Starches, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), Corn Oil, Corn Gluten Meal

ADM is a global leader in agricultural processing and a cornerstone of the corn derivatives market. With an extensive network of processing facilities, the company transforms corn into a vast portfolio of ingredients essential for food, beverage, animal nutrition, and industrial customers worldwide.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Major investments in specialty ingredients and clean-label starch solutions
  • Commitment to sustainable sourcing and reducing environmental footprint across the value chain
  • Development of bio-based products for industrial applications, including bioplastics

Download FREE Sample Report: Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Cargill, Incorporated

Headquarters: Wayzata, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Corn Sweeteners, Starches, Ethanol, Corn Oil

Cargill operates one of the most extensive corn wet milling networks globally, serving diverse markets from food manufacturing to renewable energy. The company is renowned for its scale, supply chain reliability, and focus on customer-specific solutions.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering the production of non-GMO and organic corn-based ingredients
  • Strategic partnerships to advance circular economy models in agriculture
  • Leading role in the sustainable biofuels sector through corn-based ethanol production

8️⃣ 3. Ingredion Incorporated

Headquarters: Westchester, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Specialty Starches, Sweeteners, Texturizers, Nutrition Ingredients

Ingredion specializes in ingredient solutions, transforming corn and other raw materials into value-added products that improve the texture, stability, and nutritional profile of a wide array of consumer goods. The company is a key innovator in the specialty starch segment.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on developing clean-label, plant-based texturants to replace synthetic additives
  • Expansion of production capacity for high-purity food starches and glucose syrups
  • Commitment to responsible sourcing and water stewardship in its operations

7️⃣ 4. Tate & Lyle PLC

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Sweeteners (including HFCS), Stabilizers, Texturizing Systems

A leading global provider of food and beverage ingredients, Tate & Lyle has a strong presence in the corn sweetener market. The company leverages deep application expertise to help customers create healthier and tastier products with improved mouthfeel and shelf-life.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strategic shift towards specialty food & beverage solutions and reduced reliance on bulk commodities
  • Development of low-calorie sweeteners and dietary fiber solutions from corn
  • Focus on sustainable corn sourcing aligned with global environmental standards

Download FREE Sample Report: Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Roquette Frères

Headquarters: Lestrem, France
Key Offering: Native and Modified Starches, Maltodextrins, Glucose Syrups, Polyols

Roquette is a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a major player in the European corn starch market. The company excels in producing high-purity ingredients for the pharmaceutical, nutrition, and food sectors, with a strong emphasis on quality and traceability.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expansion of its pea protein and other alternative protein portfolios alongside corn-based products
  • Investment in R&D for pharmaceutical-grade excipients derived from corn starch
  • Implementation of energy-efficient production processes and a focus on renewable energy use

5️⃣ 6. Agrana Group

Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Starch Products, Fruit Preparations, Fruit Juice Concentrates, Sugar

Agrana is a leading European producer of sugar, starch, and fruit ingredients. Its starch division utilizes corn and potatoes to produce a range of products for the food, paper, corrugating, and pharmaceutical industries, with a strong regional presence.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of customized starch solutions for the paper and packaging industry
  • Focus on sustainable agriculture partnerships with local farmers
  • Production of bioethanol as a co-product, contributing to the circular bio-economy

4️⃣ 7. Associated British Foods plc (ABF) – Through its subsidiary ABF Ingredients

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Food Ingredients, Animal Feed, Agricultural Supplies

ABF, through its various divisions including AB Agri, is a significant participant in the global food and feed ingredients market. While its core strength is in sugar and yeast, its integrated operations touch upon corn-based ingredients for animal feed and food applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Integrated supply chain from agriculture to value-added food ingredients
  • Research into animal nutrition incorporating corn co-products for optimized feed efficiency
  • Commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its agricultural sourcing

3️⃣ 8. Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Limited

Headquarters: Hong Kong
Key Offering: Corn Refined Products, Amino Acids, Biochemical Products

Global Bio-chem is a major corn refiner in Asia, producing a range of corn-based biochemicals, including amino acids like lysine, which are critical for animal feed. The company plays a key role in the regional supply chain for both food and industrial derivatives.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Vertical integration in corn refining and amino acid production
  • Focus on serving the growing animal nutrition market in Asia-Pacific
  • Exploration of new biochemical pathways using corn as a feedstock

2️⃣ 9. Penford Corporation (A part of Ingredion)

Note: Penford Corporation was acquired by Ingredion in 2014. Its expertise and product lines for specialty industrial and food starches have been integrated into Ingredion’s portfolio, strengthening their position in textured and resistant starches.

Historical Contribution:

  • Was a key US-based producer of specialty potato and corn starches
  • Pioneered developments in starch-based texturizers for the food industry

1️⃣ 10. China Starch Holdings Limited

Headquarters: Weifang, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Corn Starch, Corn Oil, Corn Germ Meal, Lysine

As one of the leading corn starch producers in China, China Starch Holdings leverages its proximity to major corn-growing regions to supply the domestic food, beverage, and feed markets. The company is integral to China’s massive agricultural processing industry.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Continuous expansion of production capacity to meet domestic demand
  • By-product utilization (corn oil, gluten meal) to maximize value from each kernel
  • Focus on operational efficiency and cost leadership in a competitive market

Get Full Report Here: Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌽 Outlook: The Future of Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Is Innovative and Sustainable

The corn and corn starch derivatives market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional sweeteners and standard starches continue to see high volume demand, the industry is increasingly driven by value-added specialties, sustainability imperatives, and the bio-based economy.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Clean-Label Revolution: Surging demand for natural, recognizable ingredients is pushing manufacturers to reformulate with native and physically modified starches over synthetic additives.
  • Bio-Economy Expansion: Corn starch is a key feedstock for bio-plastics (like PLA), bio-based chemicals, and renewable biofuels, creating new, high-growth application avenues.
  • Nutrition and Wellness: Development of resistant starches for dietary fiber enrichment and specialized carbohydrates for clinical nutrition is gaining momentum.
  • Supply Chain Resilience: Companies are investing in strategic sourcing, digital agriculture, and efficient logistics to mitigate volatility and ensure consistent supply.

Get Full Report Here: Corn and Corn Starch Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not only processing a vital global crop—they are actively redefining the possibilities of plant-based ingredients for a more sustainable and health-conscious future.