Cassava starch or tapioca starch is a white, odorless, fine powder extracted from the cassava plant's roots (Manihot esculenta). Cassava starch has diverse applications in food, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, and adhesives industries because of its unbeatable thickening, gelling, binding, and stabilizing properties. In the food industry, cassava starch finds its applications in bakery, confectionery, dairy, beverages, and gluten-free foods as a substitute for wheat and corn-based starches. Due to its natural makeup, high viscosity, and neutral flavor, it is a very flexible ingredient, especially for use in clean-label and allergen-free products. In addition to food, cassava starch is a major raw material for bioplastics, sizing textiles, and adhesives owing to its biodegradable and affordability properties. Since cassava is widely produced in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the starch is becoming a globally valuable commodity that intersects food, industrial, and environmental sustainability demands. The global cassava starch market reached USD 5.4 Billion in 2024. According to IMARC Group, the market is projected to reach USD 8.1 Billion, at a projected CAGR of 4.6% during 2025-2033. The global cassava starch market is propelled by expanding demand in food, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications and growing interest in plant-based, gluten-free, and clean-label products. Growing awareness of health and the increase in gluten-free diets have fueled cassava starch uptake in bakery, snack, and processed food sectors. Industrial uses are also growing, especially in biodegradable packaging, bioethanol production, and paper and textile industries as companies move towards sustainable raw materials. An increasing bio-based economy and government policies encouraging renewable, green alternatives also drive demand forward. Besides, cost-effectiveness over potato starch and corn, and cassava's yield and versatility in the tropics increase its competitiveness. Increased urbanization, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Africa, as well as growing investment in value-added cassava starch derivatives like modified starch, sweeteners, and biopolymers, are set to fuel strong market growth in the world.
One of our clients reached out to us to conduct a feasibility study for setting up a large-scale cassava starch manufacturing plant. We developed a comprehensive financial model for the setup and operation of a proposed cassava starch manufacturing plant in Mozambique. This plant is designed to produce 48 tons of cassava starch per day.
Manufacturing Process: Production of cassava starch starts with fresh cassava roots from in-house farms, subcontractors, and local smallholders within a 150-km radius, which must be processed within 48 hours after harvest to prevent loss of yields. Roots are unloaded, transported to a drum peeler where the outside skin is stripped off, and fed to the washing unit to remove dirt, sand, and stones. Clean roots are shredded and fed to the rasper, which breaks them down into fine particles, creating a pulp slurry of juice and starch. The slurry is then extracted by coarse and fine centrifugal sieves; sand being removed through hydro cyclones and starch lumps filtered out to achieve maximum recovery. The starch slurry is concentrated to 20–35% and further purified in separators to increase whiteness and achieve about 40% concentration. Secondly, dewatering in the form of centrifuges or filter presses brings moisture down to 35–40%, creating a starch cake. The cake is flash dried to approximately 13% moisture, resulting in a fine white powder. Lastly, the starch is sieved to eliminate grit, filled into polypropylene bags, weighed, stitched, and shipped off to various end-use industries. This process delivers high yield, purity, and quality, rendering cassava starch acceptable for food, industrial, and pharmaceutical purposes.
Mass Balance and Raw Material Required: The primary raw materials used in the cassava starch producing plant are cassava roots. For a plant producing 1 ton of cassava starch, 4.58 tons of cassava roots is required.
Our financial model for the cassava starch manufacturing plant was meticulously developed to meet the client’s objectives, providing an in-depth analysis of production costs, including raw materials, manufacturing, capital expenditure, and operational expenses. By addressing the specific requirements of producing 48 tons of cassava starch per day, we successfully identified key cost drivers and projected profitability, considering market trends, inflation, and potential fluctuations in raw material prices. This comprehensive financial model equipped the client with valuable insights into strategic decision-making, demonstrating our commitment to delivering high-quality, client-focused solutions that ensure the long-term success of large-scale manufacturing ventures.
IMARC is a global market research company that offers a wide range of services, including market entry and expansion, market entry and opportunity assessment, competitive intelligence and benchmarking, procurement research, pricing and cost research, regulatory approvals and licensing, factory setup, factory auditing, company incorporation, incubation services, recruitment services, and marketing and sales.
Under our factory setup services, we assist our clients in exploring the feasibility of their plants by providing comprehensive financial modeling. Additionally, we offer end-to-end consultation for setting up a plant in India or abroad. Our financial modeling includes an analysis of capital expenditure (CapEx) required to establish the manufacturing facility, covering costs such as land acquisition, building infrastructure, purchasing high-tech production equipment, and installation. Furthermore, the layout and design of the factory significantly influence operational efficiency, energy consumption, and labor productivity, all of which impact long-term operational expenditure (OpEx). So, every parameter is covered in the analysis.
At IMARC, we leverage our comprehensive market research expertise to support companies in every aspect of their business journey, from market entry and expansion to operational efficiency and innovation. By integrating our factory setup services with our deep knowledge of industry dynamics, we empower our clients to not only establish manufacturing facilities but also strategically position themselves in highly competitive markets. Our financial modeling and end-to-end consultation services ensure that clients can explore the feasibility of their plant setups while also gaining insights into competitors' strategies, technological advancements, and regulatory landscapes. This holistic approach enables our clients to make informed decisions, optimize their operations, and align with sustainable practices, ultimately driving long-term success and growth.
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