Tapioca Starch is isolated from the tuberous roots of the manioc plant, which grows mainly in equatorial climates. Depending on the region of growth, plants may be known as mandioca, yucca, cassava or tapioca.

The process of manufacture of Starch from Corn, Tapioca or any other Starchy material consists of rupturing cell walls when the enclosed starch granules are exposed and washed to remove cellulose. Cereal or Plant, from which starch is to be manufactured is washed with water in a washing machine when any dirt sticking is washed away.

After washing it is disintegrated mechanically when a paste like mass called pulp is obtained containing starch granules exposed after disintegration along with finely divided fibrous tissue. The mixture is taken to a sifting machine and thoroughly washed with water and hen sieved through fine brass-wire, sieves when coarser particles of cellulose are left behind on the sieve and smaller particles of starch and some fibrous matter pass down as milky aqueous suspension. This is allowed to stand when heavier starch granules settle at the bottom. The lighter particle of cellulose are deposited to a very small extend and that too only in the last layers and are scraped off.
The Starch pulp so obtained is again treated with water when starch particles settle down and the supernatant layer is decanted off. It is then centrifuged to free it from the bulk of water present and slowly dried in air or by treating it gently in ovens or dryer till it contains only 12-14% moisture where it is ready for the market.
Tapioca Starch and Starch derivatives are widely used in the following Industries:
 
1. Textiles Industry

• Warp sizing
• Fabric finishing
• Printing

• Tablet binder/Dispersing Agent
• Pill coating , dusting agent
• Facial creams
• Soap Filler/ extender
• Dusting powder

• Ore flotation
• Ore sedimentation
• Oil well drilling muds

• Concrete Block binder
• Asbestos, clay/limestone binder
• Fire-resistant wall board
• Plywood/chipboard adhesive
• Gypsum Board binder
• Paint filler

• Wide range binding agent
• Match-head binder

• Biodegradable plastic film
• Dry cell Batteries
• Printed circuit boards
• Leather Finishing etc.,

• Pre gelatinized Starches
• Oxidized Derivatives
• Acid Modified Starches
• Cationic Starches
• Dextrin and Adhesives.

Specifications for Vietnam Native Tapioca starch

No.	Test item	Specifications	Test method
1	Appearance	White powder	Visual
2	Moisture	13% Max.	PL204008
3	Starch Content	85% Min.	PL204007
4	Peak Viscosity	Min 700BU	Brabender
5	PH	5 ~ 7	PL204003
6	SO2	30ppm Max.	PL204005
7	Whiteness	95% Min	PL204019
9	Fiber	0.15% Max.
10	Ash	0.2% Max.	PD100006-18