Tereos is a leading player in potato starch, used in a vast range of high value-added products, including human nutrition, animal feed, cardboard and paper.

Key figures

1

production facility in Haussimont (France)

268000t.

of starch potatoes processed in 2022/23 by Tereos in France

A strong position in Europe

Potatoes are tuberous plants rich in starch. The starch extracted from potatoes has specific properties that differentiate it from wheat and corn starches. Tereos acquired the Haussimont starch facility in France in 2011. In the course of just a few years, the site has experienced substantial developments. The campaign has been extended considerably and significant investments have been made. Over the past twenty years, Tereos has become one of the leaders on the European starch market and one of the leading processors of cereals and starch potatoes in France.

  • Raw potato food . Fresh potatoes in an old sack on wooden backgr
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Industrial process

To extract starch from the natural raw material, the potatoes are shredded, opening the tuberous cells to release the grains of starch. Starch milk in suspension is separated from the cellulose part (fibres) then purified, and the residual juice is extracted, along with impurities. After being dried by rotary, a white powder is obtained. Potato starch is characterised by a neutral taste, good clarity, strong binding power and a long texture. 5 tonnes of potatoes are needed to produce 1 tonne of starch.

Varied applications

Potato starch is an ingredient of choice for the food industry. In addition to its nutritional and energy values, it helps bind, thicken, texture and stabilise food without modifying its taste. It is also widely used for noodles, cocktail biscuits and sauces. Potato starch is also used in the textile, cardboard and paper and cosmetics industries, as well as in the manufacture of biodegradable plastic bags and as a support for aromas and scents in our daily lives.

The processing of potato starch forms part of a circular economy. Alongside the production of potato starch, the Group produces pulp for animal feed as well as a natural fertiliser for agriculture. In addition, water recuperated during the transformation process is recovered and spread on local farmland.

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