In our previous post we discussed the reasons why starch-based tackifiers are a solid alternative to guar in the erosion control industry. But starch is used to replace guar in a variety of industries, including oil and gas drilling, mining and construction products, just to name a few. Many of these reasons are based on performance, but availability is also a key concern.

You hear a lot about “buying American” these days, but when it comes to starch-based products it’s not for patriotic reasons. It simply makes more financial sense to use American-sourced starch products. Here are a three reasons why:

1) Supply availability

As we touched upon in our previous post, other industries are creating huge demand for a limited supply of guar. Whenever that happens, prices spike, leaving you in the hunt for a substitution for guar. Guar is also dependent on a specific set of weather circumstances in order to produce a strong harvest, with one inconsistent year significantly constricting supply. Not to mention as with any import, shipping can be interrupted by unanticipated problems such as natural disasters or policy changes.

2) Stable pricing

While corn prices have risen, they are nowhere near as volatile as guar. Prices are at a record level and nobody really seems to know when they will peak. With American-made starch polymers being primarily derived from corn or potatoes, it’s easier to control costs and anticipate budget fluctuations.

3) Ability to buy on credit

Supply of guar is so tight that if you you’re a reseller, you can’t buy on credit. Are you willing to take the risk and capital outlay of buying up front, particularly if you don’t have buyers lined up? You don’t have that issue with starch-based products.

If you’re looking for a guar substitute due to record high prices, you might want to consider American-made starch as a solution.

—Bob Johnson
Sales and Marketing Manager