We offer a vast range of plant-based ingredients, including carbohydrates, proteins and fibres, to make food and drink taste better, last longer, and be more sustainable and nutritious.

THE MOST COMMON CARBOHYDRATE

Starch is a natural carbohydrate found in many grains and vegetables. It is the most common carbohydrate in the human diet and is an essential source of energy for our brains and muscle.

EFSA, the European Food Standards Agency, recommends that 45-60% of our daily energy intake should come from carbohydrates

Starch supplies the body with energy and supports metabolic functions (brain, red blood cells fetal development, etc.)

PLANT-BASED PROTEINS

With 5.5M tonnes of proteins, fibres and lipids produced, of which 1.1M tonnes have a high protein content, we deliver complements or alternatives to animal proteins

A mix of protein sources are increasingly valued in food preparations. Our plant-based proteins offer innovative EU-grown solutions to better accommodate changing dietary habits, making our industry a key contributor helping Europe move towards a more sustainable food system.

STARCHES & DERIVATIVES

From native starches to modified starches to maltodextrins and starch based sugars to polyols, all starch based ingredients have unique properties which help make final food and drink products taste better and last longer.

Native Starches are used in many food products such as soups, meat preparations, sauces, pastas, creams and pastries, mainly its gelling, texturizing or thickening properties.

Modified Starches are used for example in food products that need to be microwaved, freeze-dried, cooked at high temperatures or baked and fried so that the texture of such foods does not change during the cooking

Maltodextrins are a good source of energy for humans (including babies and athletes) as they are soluble, easily digested in the small intestine and thus energy is quickly available for use by the body.

Starch-based sugars provide texture, volume, taste, glossiness, improved stability and a longer shelf-life for the products to which they are added. As they are liquid and do not crystalise, they are ideally suited for soft drinks.

Polyols contain fewer calories than sugars, and are tooth-friendly as they are not fermented by oral bacteria.

FIBRES

Fibres are an essential part of the human diet. Fibres are made up of indigestible parts of plants, and different types of fibres play different roles. The recommended amounts of dietary fibre for promotion of adequate gut transit and better regulation of blood glucose range from 25 to 30 grams/day in adults

The many innovative fibres we produce enable our customers to deliver more nutritious food products, and helps consumers towards healthier diets

RELATED RESOURCES

OTHER KEY MESSAGES

1. Innovation

The European starch industry is built on constant innovation

The European starch industry is a long-established part of the agri-food value chain, built on constant innovation to meet societal demands and consumer expectations.

2. Rural Strength

We strengthen rural areas with essential sources of income and employment

We strengthen rural areas by providing an essential source of income and employment, both directly and to the farmers who supply the raw materials used to make our ingredients.

4. Bioeconomy

We develop bio-based materials and alternatives to fossil-based products

We develop bio-based materials and alternatives to fossil-based products in industrial applications from renewable resources, offering functional properties and CO2 emission reductions.

5. Sustainability

The EU starch industry is a pillar of the sustainable food system.

By valorising the entire crop to serve food, feed and industrial customers, while reducing our environmental footprint, the EU starch industry is a pillar of the sustainable food system.