Corn Starch Production Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Corn starch is made from corn kernels and is considered a versatile and significant industrial ingredient, used in multiple sectors as a thickener and stabilizer due to its potent formulation.

In 2022, the top three exporters of corn starch were India ($226M), the United States ($157M), and China ($119M).

• In the food industry, it acts as a significant component in food items, stabilizing and creating a rather smooth and perfect texture in soup, baked goods, and sauces. Notably, the food and beverage industry also accounted for approximately 3% of the corn starch market in 2021.
• In the pharmaceutical industry, it acts as a medication binder, helping to provide a well-adjusted dosage in tablets.
• The paper production industry also benefits from this super essential ingredient to thicken and increase printability.

It’s hard to imagine these industries without the impactful role of cornstarch on items to thicken and improve their functionality.

The market continues to expand and evolve every day, and that’s why stakeholders must stay informed about the corn starch production process and its methodologies to optimize product quality and meet industry demands.

The Corn Starch Production Process in 5 Steps

The corn starch production starts in fertile fields where crops are grown extensively and then transferred to factories.

There are two main methods used in the corn starch production process:

• Wet-milling
• Dry-milling

Corn wet-milling technology serves as the most common and optimal method used in factories. The four main corn components, starch, fiber, germ, and gluten, are broken down and separated from one another and used to produce different high-quality and valuable products.

1- Corn Cleaning and Steeping

Corn cleaning is the first step toward the corn starch production process.

Raw corn kernels often contain impurities, dirt, and foreign materials, harmful to human bodies. Therefore, they need to be extracted to prevent the spread of contamination.

Once the maize in the fields is harvested and cleaned from dirt and impurities, it is time for steeping.

Steeping refers to soaking all cleaned corn kernels in water for about 42 hours at about 50˚C temperature so the kernels absorb most of the water and double in size.

This is a necessary step as it helps to loosen its structure and improve the chance of starch extraction.

2- Milling & Germ Separation

The second step in the corn starch production process is milling the corn kernels to separate the germ from fiber, gluten, and starch.

This process usually happens in two stages:

1. Hydrocyclones are employed along disc mills to separate the germ with zero damage.
2. The corn germs containing about 85% of corn’s oil are pumped onto screens to remove any starch in the mixture to ensure a smoother combination.

3- Fiber Separation and Processing

This is an essential step in the corn starch production process to ensure the purity of the starch.

For the purpose of optimal purity, gravity arc screens or similar equipment are employed to separate fiber, the outer layer of corn kernels, from the rest of the mixture.

The germ residue is another helpful product sold to the animal feed industry, serving as an excellent food source for livestock.

Separating fiber from the corn kernels impacts the overall quality of starch, reduces waste, and helps to make the process and the product much more profitable.

4- Starch and Gluten Separation

The next step in the corn starch production process involves separating the remaining gluten from the starch.

Once the starch is passed into a centrifuge, the gluten with a lower density than the starch is completely removed. The gluten can be used in animal feeds later on.

But what happens to the starch? The starch continues to have still one or two percent of protein remaining.

Therefore, it is first diluted and then washed eight to 14 times. The exact process is repeated one more time in hydrocyclones to ensure high quality and 99.5% purity.

5- Starch Drying & Final Processing

Now that we have separated different components from the starch, some portion is dried and ready for sale.

However, the rest of the starch slurry is moved into corn starch manufacturing equipment, like rotary drum filters or peeler centrifuges. The dewatered starch cake is then dried in special equipment tailored for starch drying.

Drying the starch and removing the moisture can help it to preserve for a long time and more usage.

How Yasmin Trading’s Advanced Equipment for Corn Starch Production Can Improve Efficiency

The role of advanced equipment in the corn starch production process is undeniable. It has brought so much ease and efficiency to the industry and is known as one of the best agro-processing solutions in the modern day.

Yasmin Trading, one of the best agro processing equipment suppliers, offers a variety of maize processing equipment that optimizes the process and increases the efficiency and quality of your products.

Gravity Arc Screen

This sieving equipment is a must when it comes to starch separation.

Gravity Arc Screen can effectively remove fiber from the starch slurry and enhance the purity of the extracted starch.

Features

• Continuous operation because of its design
• Reducing downtime and increasing quality
• Increasing overall productivity

Disc Separator

In the corn starch production process, you need to separate gluten from the starch. Yasmin Trading offers disc separators that easily isolate the 1-2% remaining gluten in the crude starch milk.

Features

• Providing high precision and caution
• Ensuring little to zero starch loss during the process
• Refining the starch quality and texture for later industrial use

Decanter

One of the most crucial corn starch manufacturing equipment in the corn starch production industry is surely decanters.

This equipment ensures the gluten separated in the corn starch production process is wholly dewatered and the moisture is removed.

Features

• Offering continuous operation with little to no delay
• Increasing automation level in equipment
• Lowering pressure on human labor

Hydrocyclones & Centrifuges

Hydrocyclones and centrifuges, as mentioned before, are used to purify and concentrate the corn starch.

Yasmin Trading can provide the industry with both hydrocyclones and centrifuges, ensuring the final product is of high quality and meets the industry standards.

Manufacturers can achieve higher efficiency by integrating these advanced machines into the corn starch production line.

Features

• Helps to remove impurities
• Increasing efficiency
• Reducing operational costs

Why Choose Us as Your Corn Starch Production Line Supplier?

Yasmin Trading, a premier provider of corn starch production equipment, has much to say regarding providing high-quality and promising agro-processing solutions. There are many benefits to choosing Yasmin Trading as your main corn starch production line provider, such as:

Expertise in Supplying Cutting-Edge Agro-Processing Equipment

You might come across so many production line suppliers in today’s market, each promising a higher quality and a better deal compared to their competitors.

It might be confusing, and you might get lost among the ocean of offers, but at the end of the day, it’s you who weighs out everything and decides which to choose as your primary starch production line machinery provider.

Our products range from milling systems to centrifuges and dryers and are designed to simplify the process and increase efficiency in your production line.

Custom Solutions Tailored to Factory Needs

Are you not sure what you truly need for your corn starch production line to increase efficiency in your corn starch production process?

It’s not just about selling some products to a factory. As a provider, you must realize that the challenge lies in finding custom solutions for each factory’s specific needs.

That is why we have you covered!

We at Yasmin Trading have complete knowledge of the agro-processing industry and can provide the exact machinery that aligns with your factory needs and concerns, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.

Global Reach Across Key Regions

With the distribution of agro-processing machinery and equipment across many key regions, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Africa, Yasmin Trading has a strong international presence.

Yasmin Trading facilitates seamless operations for our clients worldwide like no other, and that’s why it stands out as one of the most popular agro-processing solutions providers worldwide.

Technical Support and After-Sales Service

A provider’s work doesn’t stop when they can sell a certain product to a factory. Matter of fact, it just gets started!

That’s why by choosing Yasmin Trading as your primary corn processing machinery, you can rest assured that we are committed to providing comprehensive technical support and after-sales service.

Our team of experts can assist you with your different needs, including installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, ensuring you can experience excellence and ease!

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving landscape of corn starch production, using the proper high-tech equipment ensures high efficiency, sustainability, and overall quality of your products.

Advanced machinery like Gravity Arc Screens, Disc Separators, Decanters, and Hydrocyclones has revolutionized the process by enhancing productivity and reducing waste.

At Yasmin Trading, we fully understand each corn starch production facility has unique and specific requirements.

That’s why our wide range of agro-processing solutions is designed to cater to your factory’s needs.

From advanced sieving technologies to cutting-edge gluten separation and dehydration equipment, Yasmin Trading is at your service and fully committed to providing custom solutions that enhance operational efficiency and product quality!

Are you interested to learn more about how Yasmin Trading can transform your corn starch production process?

We encourage you to reach out to us today!

Let’s make it happen and witness your factory’s phenomenal transformation of efficiency and success with our specialized equipment and solutions!

FAQ

1- What Equipment is Essential for Corn Starch Production?

Essential equipment for corn starch production includes cleaning machines to remove impurities, steeping tanks for soaking, milling machines to grind the corn, and separators like hydrocyclones and centrifuges to separate starch from other components.

Advanced machinery, such as Gravity Arc Screens and Decanters, helps improve efficiency and starch purity, making the production process smoother and more cost-effective.

2- What are the Methods of Corn Starch Production?

Generally, the two main methods for producing corn starch are wet and dry milling. Wet milling has been and still remains a more common approach for industrial starch production.

In wet milling, the process starts by soaking the corn kernels in water to soften them. This makes it easier to separate the different components of the corn. The kernels are then ground into a slurry, and mechanical processes are used to separate the germ, fiber, gluten, and starch. The starch is further washed and purified before being dried into a fine powder.

Dry milling, on the other hand, focuses more on separating the corn’s components without soaking it. The kernels are cleaned and then ground into a dry meal, from which the starch is extracted.

3- How is Modified Corn Starch Manufactured?

Modified corn starch is manufactured by taking regular corn starch and altering its properties to enhance its performance in different applications. The process begins with the standard corn starch production process, where starch is extracted from corn kernels through wet milling.

Once the starch is purified and dried, it undergoes additional treatments to modify its structure.

Modified corn starch is used in various industries, including food production, where it acts as a thickener, stabilizer, or emulsifier in products like sauces, soups, and desserts.