National Starch and Chemical Company announced that it doubled its 2004 planting commitments to grow its high-amylose corn used to make Hi-maize resistant starch, which the company claims is the only natural, granular resistant starch available in the United States. This expansion in the grain-growing program complements the manufacturing capacity expansions announced in June 2004.
"National is strongly committed to meeting the growing demands for Hi-maize," said Jim Zallie, group vice president, Natural Polymers Group, National Starch and Chemical Company. "This expansion of our 2004 U.S. agricultural programs will allow us to better balance supply and demand over the next 18 months."