Corn Starch Product Manufacturers in China: Our Top 9 Picks

Corn starch can be used to manufacture bags, food packaging, building materials, and a range of other products. In this guide, we introduce the reader to the benefits and disadvantages of producing corn starch products. We also list some of China’s leading manufacturers producing a wide range of cornstarch-based products.

Supplier List

• Dongguan Green Olive Environmental Technology
• MST Packaging
• Dongguan Hengfeng High-Tech Development
• Xiamen SRD Innotech
• Weifang Packada Eco-friendly Technology
• Ningbo Eco Biodegradable Technology
• Shengzhou Imadel Trade
• Guangxi Nanning Flight Supply Trading
• Qingdao CBH

Disclaimer

We are not affiliated with any of the companies listed in this guide. We have selected these companies based on their claimed product scope, history, certification, and capabilities.

What is corn starch?

Corn starch is the starch obtained from the endosperm of the corn kernel. Traditionally, corn starch was mainly used as a food ingredient to increase the thickness of sauces, soup, gravies, and custard.

The practice of using corn starch as the raw material to produce eco-friendly products has become popular in recent years. The process of turning corn starch into bioplastic can be explained in the following steps:

1. Removing water, protein, and oil from the endosperm to obtain pure starch

2. Adding enzymes to the starch’s endosperm, which converts it to dextrose

3. Adding bacterial cultures to the dextrose, causing it to ferment and turn into lactic acid

4. After the polymerization process, the lactic acid is converted to the polymer material, called polylactic acid, which can be made into film or fibers

Are corn starch products eco-friendly?

Corn starch plastic products consume less oil to produce than traditional products wholly made in plastic. Corn starch products are also compostable under proper composting processes. Conversely, the pollution caused by the production of corn is an issue.

In this section, we discuss some pros and cons of corn starch plastic products from the perspective of their eco-friendliness.

Pros

Compostability

The research and development around corn-starch-based plastic are based on their potential to largely replace traditional petroleum-based plastic, which is known for creating pollution and affecting the environment, humans, and animals.

Under the condition of proper composting, 100% corn-starch-based plastics are turned into water and carbon dioxide within a few months, compared to plastic products made of polypropylene, which takes 20-30 years to decompose.

Greenness

According to the data published by ABC News, around 8% to 10% of the total oil supply in the United States goes to making plastic. As an example, around 12 million barrels of oil a year are used only in making the plastic bags used in the US.

Replacing petroleum-based plastic bags with corn-starch-based or other eco-friendly plastic products alleviates the dependency on oil in the packaging industry, as well as decreasing carbon emission.

Health Benefits

Generally, food contact products made with 100% corn starch are safer for the users, compared with plastic containers made of polycarbonates and epoxy resins, which often contain Bisphenol-A and other dangerous chemicals.

However, even though manufactures of corn-starch-based food contact products claim that their products are 100% made of pure corn starch, importers and consumers should still be careful about the product composition. The reason is that petroleum-based plastics like PP or PET are often added to enhance product performance.

Cons

Compostability limitations

Corn-starch-based plastic products are sometimes industrial compostable. This means that the composting processes of corn starch plastic must take place in industrial composting facilities, which are designed for having a suitable environment and temperature for cornstarch-based plastic to decompose.

However, compared to traditional landfills, industrial composting facilities are still rare. As a result, corn-starch-based plastic products are discarded with regular wastes, and they are not able to be properly composted.

Pollution

The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers during the production process of corn is a source of pollution to the land, water as well as the O-zone. When corn starch plastics are commercially successful and are massively produced, chemical pollutants during the plantation of corn could cause environmental issues.

Can corn starch be molded?

Corn starch can be combined with different materials to become injection moldable. Examples of these additives include PBAT, polyethylene, EAA copolymer, and glycerol. After mixing them in a set proportion with corn starch, the mixture is processed using an injection molding machine to produce the desired items.

Examples of corn starch products

In this section, we list some examples of products that can be made based on corn starch.

Bags

As we have explained in the previous section, corn-starch-based plastic has been widely used to produce thin disposable bags. Examples of this type of bags include:

• T-shirt bags
• Grocery shopping bags
• Dog waste bags
• Agricultural thermal protective cover

Food Contact Products

Another field of application for corn-starch-based plastic is food contact products. Corn-starch-based food contact products include:

• Cups
• Bowls
• Plates
• Forks
• Spoons
• Fruit/vegetable trays
• Dried/wet food gusset bags

Currently, most of the manufacturers in China tend to produce single-use or disposable corn starch food contact packaging and tableware, less on durable products.

The reason for this could be the fad of replacing single-use plastic tableware and utensils with more eco-friendly alternatives in the past few decades, combining with the gradually decreasing cost of corn-starch-based plastic production.

Consumer Products Packaging

Corn starch packaging can also be applied in the consumer product industry. Below are examples of packaging that can be made with corn-starch-based plastic:

• Facial mask packaging bags
• Phone cases
• Wine cases
• Vacuum pouches

Diapers

The American company Tethis has engaged in the research and developments of replacing petroleum-based Super Absorbent Polymer, which is the main absorbent for diapers, with biodegradable corn starch. This business idea has turned into actual commercial practice a few years ago, with some manufacturers producing and selling corn starch diapers, including Chinese companies.

Other than providing the excellent absorbent ability to the diaper, corn starch has also been proven to effectively heal the diaper rash on the baby’s skin, which therefore is safe to use and favored by the parents.

Building Materials

Even though it may not have been popularized yet, scientific research has revealed the possibility of the combination of corn starch with sand as a type of eco-friendly construction material, compared to traditional concrete cement.

Some manufacturers in China also transformed corn starch into binders and adhesives in the building industry.

List of Corn Starch Manufacturers in China

Below are brief introductions of 9 manufacturers based in China that produce corn-starch-based products.

Dongguan Green Olive Environmental Technology

Dongguan Green Olive Environmental Technology was established in 2009 as a plant fiber production enterprise. The company focuses on R & D, design, production, and sales of disposable tableware and packaging made of corn starch and sugarcane. It currently has branches in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and India.

Other than making corn starch disposable tableware, Green Olive also applies corn starch to packaging for the following products:

• Beauty products
• Electronics
• Medical and pharmaceutical products
• Gifts
• Wine

Beyond that, Green Olive also provides customization for clients looking for OEM packaging or catering solutions for their business.

Main Products

• Supermarket fresh vegetable packaging trays
• Disposable clamshell food packaging
• 4 compartment lunch boxes
• Snack bowls
• Salad bowls
• Rice containers
• Disposable party trays
• Dip dishes

Summary

• Certification: ISO 14885
• Compliance: FDA
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Room 2815, F/28, Wanda Center, Dongzong Revenue, Dongcheng District, Dongguan, Guangdong

MST Packaging

MST Packaging is a stand-up pouch manufacturer specializing in offering one-stop production services for customers from dried food and snack industries.

The factory of MST Packaging is located in Jiangmen, in Guangdong Province. It is equipped with 10 colors of printing and lamination lines, including dry lamination, and solvent-free lamination.

In order to cater to the diverse demand from customers, MST Packaging’s ODM stand-up pouches have various seal solutions, including ribbon, PP rope, cotton, and die-cut, which are suitable to pack dried and wet foodstuff like:

• Coffee beans
• Tea leaves
• Jerky
• Preserved fruits
• Nuts
• Jelly
• Pet food

MST Pakckaging’s products are 100% or partly made of eco-materials such as corn starch and kraft paper. Currently, the annual production capacity of MST Packaging is over 5,000 tons.

Main Products

• Dried food pouches
• Wet food pouches
• Pet food pouches
• Gusset pouches
• Vacuum pouches
• Food packaging bags

Summary

• Certification: ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP
• Compliance: FDA, EN standards
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Room 401, No. 31, Street 1, Cuiyuan, Country Garden, Shaping Town, Heshan City, Jiangmen, Guangdong

Dongguan Hengfeng High-Tech Development

Founded in 2000, Dongguan Hengfeng High-Tech Development specializes in designing and producing degradable materials and disposable food contact packaging made with corn starch, bagasse, kraft paper, and PLA.

The manufacturing center of Hengfeng High-Tech has a total area of 10,000 square meters, with a team including more than 100 engineers and skilled workers. The production capacity of Hengfeng High-Tech is 350 tons per month with over 30 sets of equipment.

The main products of Hengfeng High-Tech include disposable lunch boxes, plates, and soup bowls. Besides the standard ODM products, the company also provides customized items according to special requirements.

Main Products

• 800 ml cup
• 1000, 1200, 1800 ml clamshell containers
• Soup bowls
• Disposable cutlery

Summary

• Certification: ISO 9001
• Compliance: EU Plastic Regulation 10/2011, FDA 21 CFR
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Huangjinji Industrial Zone, Shangjie Village, Qishi Town, Dongguan, Guangdong

Xiamen SRD Innotech

Xiamen SRD Innotech specializes in the research, development, and production of corn-starch-based tableware and food packing materials.

Xiamen SRD Innotech mainly provides ODM and OEM packaging solutions to customers in the industry of frozen meat, deli, fruits, and food delivery.

Main Products

• Supermarket disposable fruit trays
• Sushi trays
• Bowls
• Coffee cups
• Clamshell containers
• Golf tees

Summary

• Certification: ISO 14855
• Compliance: FDA
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: 04-408, No. 997 Tianma Road, Jimei District, Xiamen, Fujian

Weifang Packada Eco-friendly Technology

Weifang Packada Eco-friendly Technology is a manufacturer specialized in producing biodegradable packaging and food containers since 1998. Weifang Packada offers ODM and OEM eco-friendly packaging solutions for the food catering industry, a broad range of consumer products, as well as the logistics departments.

Weifang Packada has served domestic as well as international clients from America, Italy, Japan, and several countries in South East Asia.

Main Products

• Flexo cartons
• Disposable food containers
• Disposable cutlery
• Gift boxes
• Perfume boxes
• Facial mask packaging
• Shipping carton boxes
• Dog waste bags

Summary

• Certification: Not mentioned
• Compliance: FDA
• MOQ: 100,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No. 5051, Shengli East Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong

Ningbo Eco Biodegradable Technology

Ningbo Eco Biodegradable Technology is a professional supplier of biodegradable materials and compostable packaging, which focuses on providing green packaging solutions to the commercial, retail, and agriculture sectors.

The main products of Ningbo Eco Biodegradable Technology include disposable bags, disposable food catering tableware, durable children’s tableware, and diapers. According to the official website of the company, these products are based on corn starch and some of them are compliant with the ASTM D-6400, EN 13432 compostable standards.

Main Products

• Thermal bags
• T-shirt bags
• Grocery bags
• Dog waste bags
• Straws
• Cutlery
• Toddler Training Chopsticks
• Durable children’s tableware
• Baby diapers
• Disposable cups
• Car garbage bags

Summary

• Certification: ISO 527
• Compliance: EN 13432, ASTM D6400
• MOQ: 50,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Floor 3A, COB office building, Shijidongfang Plaza, No.1083 Zhongshan East Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang

Shengzhou Imadel Trade

Shengzhou Imadel Trade was founded in 2012, specializing in supplying fully or partly biodegradable disposable tableware. These products include corn starch and sugarcane, CPLA plates, and bamboo cutlery.

The capacity of Shengzhou Imadel Trade is about 2,000 tons per year. Product markets of Shengzhou Imadel Trade include North America, South America, and Europe.

Main Products

• Disposable tableware
• Utensils

Summary

• Certification: OK COMPOST
• Compliance: EN 13432, ASTM D-6400, ASTM D-6868, FDA
• MOQ: 10,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No.31, Zhong Yuan Road, Shengzhou Economic Development Zone, Zhejiang

Guangxi Nanning Flight Supply Trading

Guangxi Nanning Flight Supply Trading is an airplane products supplier headquartered in Nanning, China. The company mainly produces ODM and OEM food catering packaging, cabin service equipment, and cleaning products for passengers.

The company specializes in designing and producing high-quality, biodegradable, and reusable airplane products made with compostable materials, including the following:

• Corn starch
• Bagasse
• Bamboo
• PLA

Main Products

• Disposable starch casseroles
• Reusable tableware
• Cabin service equipment
• Airplane comfort items
• Airsickness vomit bags

Summary

• Certification: ISO 9001
• Compliance: FDA 21 CFR
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Room 802, Unit 3, Block 2, Lingshijunyihao, No.10 Zhongwen Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, Guangxi

Qingdao CBH

Qingdao CBH is a company specializing in developing starch animal feed and food additives ingredients, which are extracted from regular corns, waxy corns, tapioca, potatoes, and peas.

In recent years, Qingdao CBH has expanded its business into the modifying starch for consumer products, construction material, textile, and paper industries of modified starch.

Main Products

• Adhesive and binders
• Textile printing dyes
• Building materials
• Paper
• Gloves

Summary

• Certification: FAMI-QS, ISO, GMP, KOSHER, and HALAL
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Not mentioned

Location: 11A2, Flagship Tower, 40 Hongkong M. Road, Qingdao, Shandong