A BRIEF
HISTORY OF THE WET MILLING INDUSTRY IN ARGENTINA
The discovery that
starch could be transformed into sweetening substances dates back
to the beginning of the last century, nonetheless its first industrial
uses began around 1850.
| Wet
milling in Argentina began in 1928 when Refinerias de Maiz,
currently known as Ingredion began cereal wet milling
at its Baradero plant. |
|
Baradero Factory |
In 1942 Molinos Juan Semino began
its production of wheat starch, and in the 1950s Glutal also began
manufacturing wheat starches and later on cornstarch.
In 1961 Arcor began production
of Glucose in Arroyito, Cordoba and in 1968 Georgalos began production
in Rio Segundo, also in Cordoba province.
The Argentine company
Staley started up its plant in 1971 in Chacabuco, Buenos Aires,
and four years later the plant was transferred to Industrias de
Maiz. During those same years Arcor installed its first subsidiary,
Misty, in the province of Tucuman where it manufactured starches
and glucose.
 |
The last company
to join the starch league was Glucovil, of the Cargill group,
which kicked off operations in Villa Mercedes, San Luis in 1984.
In 1988 Delmaiz, a Georgalos spin-off began production. |
Villa Mercedes Factory |
Investments were strong
during the early 1980s, when most companies began manufacturing
second generation fructose products, and when other production lines
began expanding their production capacity. During recent years much
investment has been made to keep company installations and production
capacity updated.
First generation Fructose
syrup (Fructose 42) began in 1977 and production of Fructose 55
dates back to 1981. These production process that had been originally
designed in the United States and Japan were rapidly applied in
Argentina, and plants began production a short time afterwards.
It must be stressed
that Argentina has a strong foothold in the production of second
generation Fructose. Such production is found in very few countries
worldwide.
