Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDry powder
Industry PositionFood additive / functional ingredient
Market
Alkaline-treated starch (INS 1402) is a chemically modified food starch used globally as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in processed foods under additive frameworks and buyer specifications. In trade statistics it is typically analyzed within the broader “modified starches” category (e.g., HS 350510: dextrins and other modified starches), where export supply is concentrated in a handful of major processing hubs. UN Comtrade-derived trade views for HS 350510 show Thailand and leading European producers (notably the Netherlands, Germany, and France) alongside the United States and China as major exporters, while China, Germany, Japan, and the United States are major import markets. Market dynamics are driven by downstream processed-food manufacturing demand, compliance with additive specifications, and upstream starch feedstock/processing cost volatility.
Major Producing Countries- 태국Major global exporter hub for HS 350510 (dextrins and other modified starches), used as a proxy category for modified starch trade.
- 네덜란드Major exporter and logistics hub for HS 350510; indicative of significant modified-starch processing and re-export activity.
- 독일Major exporter for HS 350510; also a major importer, reflecting integrated EU processing and intra-industry trade.
- 미국Major exporter for HS 350510; large-scale starch and modified-starch production capacity.
- 중국Significant exporter and the largest importer by value for HS 350510 in 2023, indicating strong domestic demand and active trade.
- 프랑스Major exporter and importer for HS 350510 in 2023, consistent with sizable food ingredient and starch-processing industries.
Major Exporting Countries- 태국Top exporter for HS 350510 (dextrins and other modified starches) in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 네덜란드Top-tier exporter for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 독일Top-tier exporter for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 미국Top-tier exporter for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 프랑스Major exporter for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 중국Major exporter for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Major Importing Countries- 중국Top importer for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 독일Top importer for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 일본Top importer for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 미국Top importer for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 프랑스Major importer for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 대한민국Major importer for HS 350510 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Specification
Physical Attributes- Modified starch ingredient typically supplied as a dry, free-flowing powder for industrial dosing into formulations.
Compositional Metrics- Final pH specification is used as an identity/quality parameter for alkaline-treated starch (JECFA specifications list final pH 5.0–7.5 for alkaline treated starch).
- INS number (1402) and CAS reference (9005-84-9) are used as identity anchors in additive specifications and procurement documentation.
Grades- Food additive grade aligned to JECFA/Codex additive specifications (INS 1402).
- Industrial/technical grades may exist in the broader modified starch market but are not interchangeable with food additive grade for regulated food use.
Packaging- Industrial bulk packaging formats used for starch ingredients (e.g., multiwall bags, big bags, or bulk shipments) with moisture protection during storage and transport.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Food starch production (wet milling/extraction) -> chemical modification via alkaline treatment -> neutralization to specification pH -> dewatering/drying -> milling/sieving -> packaging -> bulk distribution to food manufacturers
Demand Drivers- Demand from processed food manufacturers for texture, viscosity, and stability functions supplied by modified starch additives (INS 1402 functional classes include thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier).
- Broad applicability across multiple Codex GSFA food categories under GMP provisions for modified starch additives, supporting diversified end-use demand.
Temperature- Not cold-chain dependent; primary handling requirement is dry storage and moisture control to prevent caking and performance drift.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighAs a regulated food additive (INS 1402) with formal specifications, alkaline-treated starch shipments can face import rejection, reformulation risk, or delisting if buyer specs, additive identity, or compliance documentation (e.g., conformance to JECFA/Codex specifications) are incomplete or if national rules diverge in labeling/allowable uses.Maintain conformance to recognized additive specifications, provide complete CoA and traceability documentation, and pre-align labeling/usage permissions for each destination market.
Feedstock And Energy Price Volatility MediumModified starch costs and availability are exposed to volatility in underlying food-starch feedstocks and to energy-intensive processing steps (wet milling, drying), creating price risk for long-term contracts and spot procurement.Use indexed pricing where possible, qualify multiple origins/suppliers, and maintain safety stock for critical formulations.
Quality Consistency MediumPerformance in end-use applications is sensitive to process controls (including alkaline treatment conditions and final pH), and variability can cause viscosity/texture deviations in downstream products.Set application-relevant acceptance criteria (e.g., pH, viscosity profile where applicable), implement supplier qualification with periodic verification testing, and validate interchangeability before switching lots or origins.
Sustainability- Upstream agricultural impacts from starch feedstock production (land use, fertilizer/energy footprint) and downstream processing impacts (energy use, effluent management) in wet-milling and modification plants.
- Chemical handling and wastewater neutralization considerations associated with alkaline treatment reagents (e.g., sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) used in the modification step.
Labor & Social- Worker safety and occupational health risk management in facilities handling caustic reagents and operating large-scale drying/milling equipment.
- Traceability and supplier-audit expectations across global ingredient supply chains for regulated food additives.
FAQ
What does INS 1402 mean for alkaline-treated starch?INS 1402 is the Codex/JECFA identification number used for alkaline-treated starch as a food additive. In the WHO JECFA database, alkaline-treated starch (INS 1402) is listed with functional classes including thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier.
How is alkaline-treated starch made in specification terms?In JECFA specifications for modified starches, alkaline-treated starch is defined as a food starch treated with sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, with a final pH specification range listed for the end product.
Which trade code is commonly used to analyze global trade in modified starches related to this product?Global trade statistics often use HS 350510 (dextrins and other modified starches) as the main category for modified starch trade, and this broader category is commonly used as a proxy lens for trade patterns relevant to alkaline-treated starch.