Global maltodextrin boom sparks Kent Corporation corn expansion

Kent Corporation’s subsidiary Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) will expand its maltodextrin processing capacity by 30% to meet increasing global demands.

The multimillion dollar investment in its Indiana GPC plant will be the largest expansion since it started operations. The processing plant produces the company’s branded maltodextrin Maltrin – used in foods and beverages as carriers, binders, coatings, bulking agents and for flavor management.

Janet Sichterman, senior vice president and corporate spokesperson for Kent Corporation, said the expansion had been prompted to meet the increasing global demand for maltodextrins.

“We have said this will increase our finishing capacity by 30%,” she told Milling & Grains.

The maltodextrins produced at the plant were predominantly shipped within the US, she said, but global shipments would also occur.

John Thorpe, president of GPC, said: “GPC Washington, built just over 15 years ago as a state of the art corn wet milling facility, has been an important investment in meeting the demands for an uninterrupted supply of high quality products for our customers. We are confident the entire employee team at Washington, along with Indiana state and local teams, will accomplish this expansion as quickly as possible.”

CEO of Kent Corporation Gage Kent said it was the positive local mentality and economical development that would assist in successful growth.