Agri Explainers

USA/CANADA — Corn wet milling is a cornerstone of North America’s agri-industrial sector, converting corn into starches, sweeteners, ethanol, and co-products used in food, feed, paper, and bio-manufacturing. The industry operates through a small number of large, technically advanced facilities concentrated in the U.S. Midwest and parts of Canada.

According to data and membership information from the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), the following companies account for the majority of wet milling capacity in North America.

---

1. Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)

ADM operates multiple corn processing complexes in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Products include corn starches, dextrose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), ethanol, and industrial fermentation feedstocks.

2. Cargill Inc.

Headquartered in Minnesota, Cargill’s wet milling facilities produce starches, glucose syrups, ethanol, and feed by-products. The company continues to invest in renewable chemistry and plant-based polymers derived from corn sugar streams.

3. Ingredion Incorporated

Ingredion, based in Illinois, specializes in starch and sweetener solutions for food, beverage, and industrial customers. Its North American plants process yellow dent corn into modified starches, dextrose, and specialty clean-label ingredients.

4. Tate & Lyle PLC

Tate & Lyle’s U.S. operations supply bulk and specialty sweeteners, soluble fibers, and texturants. The company focuses on higher-margin food ingredients and bio-based innovations using corn-derived feedstocks.

5. Roquette America

Roquette, a France-based global processor, operates major U.S. wet milling assets in Iowa. The firm produces starches, polyols, and plant-based proteins, serving both food and pharma markets.

6. Primient (formerly Tate & Lyle Primary Products)

Spun out as a joint venture with KPS Capital Partners, Primient manages legacy corn-processing facilities producing industrial starches, ethanol, and nutritive sweeteners.

7. Green Plains Inc.

While best known as an ethanol producer, Green Plains has expanded its wet milling and biorefining capabilities to produce high-value feed ingredients, corn oil, and renewable chemicals.

8. Grain Processing Corporation (GPC)

GPC operates in Muscatine, Iowa, manufacturing maltodextrins, starches, and alcohols. The company’s products are used in food processing, brewing, and pharmaceutical formulations.

9. Bunge North America

Bunge’s facilities in the U.S. and Canada support wet and dry milling operations tied to edible oils, corn-based ingredients, and grain export logistics.

10. Andersons Inc. (Specialty Corn Products)

The Andersons partners with co-manufacturers to supply specialty non-GMO and organic corn ingredients for food and beverage processing.

---

Industry Context

The North American corn wet milling sector processes over 40 million metric tons of corn annually. End uses span:

• Food & Beverage: syrups, starches, sweeteners, and modified ingredients.
• Feed & Biofuel: gluten meal, corn oil, and ethanol.
• Industrial: bioplastics, adhesives, and paper coatings.

Facilities typically cluster near major rail and river networks for efficient grain handling and distribution.

Market Outlook (2025-2030)

Growth in this sector is driven by demand for bio-based materials, specialty starches, and clean-label ingredients. Companies are investing in carbon-efficient operations and digital traceability across supply chains. While mature, the sector remains vital to North America’s circular bioeconomy.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information from the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), corporate sustainability reports, and trade sources. It is intended for educational and reference purposes and does not constitute investment or commercial advice.