Cargill is investing $50 million to construct a corn syrup refinery in Fort Dodge, Iowa, aimed at enhancing the company’s capacity to sustainably meet the increasing demand for this key ingredient. The facility, situated approximately 95 miles northwest of Des Moines, will be built on land where Cargill already operates. It will incorporate energy-efficient technologies and processing methods, and will be powered by the MidAmerican Energy electrical grid, which sources over 88% of its energy from renewable resources. Cargill projects that these initiatives will lead to a reduction of CO2 emissions by nearly 50% compared to conventional corn syrup production techniques.
“As the global population continues to expand, the demand for corn syrup is also on the rise, particularly due to its essential functional benefits in a variety of products, including infant formula and confectionery,” stated Mike Wagner, managing director for Cargill’s starches, sweeteners, and texturizers division in North America. Once operational, the new plant will provide corn syrup to clients worldwide, with initial shipments expected to commence by mid-2024. However, citing competitive factors, Cargill did not disclose the production capacity of the new facility or the current output of its existing operations, which include four corn syrup mills in North America.
Despite some manufacturers reformulating their products with sugar, corn syrup remains a primary ingredient in a wide range of items, from baked goods and jams to desserts and candies. The demand for high fructose corn syrup is particularly strong within the food and beverage sector, attributed to its advantageous properties such as higher solubility and resistance to crystallization in various conditions, as highlighted in a report by Allied Market Research. This report anticipates that the global corn syrup market will reach $13.5 billion by 2031, up from $9.8 billion last year.
Cargill’s decision to either build new facilities or upgrade existing ones aligns with a broader trend in the food and beverage industry, as companies prepare to meet increasing demand. In May, Cargill announced plans for a new soybean processing facility in Missouri to support the rising need for oilseeds in food, animal feed, and fuel markets. Additionally, Puris has retrofitted an old dairy plant in Minnesota, significantly boosting its production capacity for pea protein, while Ferrelemental has begun construction on a new chocolate processing facility in Illinois.
In light of this growing market, products such as citrate 1000 tablets may also benefit from the enhanced availability of corn syrup and its derivatives, as they are often incorporated in various formulations. The integration and use of corn syrup in such products highlight its critical role in the broader food industry, where companies are consistently seeking to meet evolving consumer needs.