The 10th anniversary International Conference ProStarch 2026: From Raw Materials to Bioeconomy will traditionally serve as the main platform for leading industry experts to meet, exchange experiences, and present current research. The event, organized by the Association of Deep Grain Processing Enterprises, will take place on April 14-15, 2026, at the Congress Center of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The deep grain processing industry in Russia consists of about 20 companies. The total capacity for processing corn and wheat reaches 9,000 tons per day. The companies directly employ 6,050 people. Current issues in the development of existing plants, as well as new projects, will be the key topic of discussion at the ProStarch 2026 conference.
The success of previous conferences demonstrates the growing interest in the industry. In 2025, the ProStarch conference brought together more than 140 participants from 70 companies in Russia, China, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries. The event featured 10 stands from engineering and technology companies, as well as presentations by 20 industry experts. The Congress Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation brought together managers of grain and potato processing plants, potential investors, representatives of industry associations, analytical agencies, and the scientific community.
The tenth anniversary of the event will take place in 2026, proving its popularity and solid reputation. The conference will be held on April 14-15, 2026, at the Congress Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation at the following address: Moscow, Ilinka Street, 6/1, building 1. The event will be held in a hybrid format — offline and online. The event expands its scope to cover topical issues of deep grain processing and industrial biotechnology — from raw materials to the bioeconomy.
Event program for April 14, 2026 — “Investments and Innovations”:
10:30 a.m. Plenary session: “PRO Investments and Public Policy”
Main topics:
— The national project “Technological Support for the Bioeconomy” and the place of the starch industry
— Achieving technological sovereignty: from import dependence to export leadership
— Russia's integration into global value chains for biotech products
— State support measures for the deep grain processing industry
— Investment projects until 2030: priorities and financing mechanisms
— Standardization and technical regulation: forming new standards for innovative products
— Export potential of Russian starch-based products
12:30 Panel discussion: “PRO Strategies”
Main topics:
— Personal experiences of executives from companies that are implementing or have implemented projects
— Manufacturer/investor opinion: what the industry lacks for development
— Can the deep grain processing industry repeat the grain industry's development experience?
— Speakers' forecasts for the industry's development directions
3:00 p.m. Session 2: “PRO Technologies and Engineering”
Main topics:
— Import substitution in the field of technological equipment
— Automation of production processes and quality management systems
— Energy-efficient technologies in deep grain processing
— Innovative solutions for starch modification
— Digitalization and the use of AI in deep grain processing
— Synthetic biology and bioengineering in the production of starch products
— Integration with Industry 4.0 technologies
17:00 Gala dinner
Event program for April 15, 2026 — “Analytics and Strategies”:
10:00 a.m. Strategic session: “PRO analytics and consumer markets”
Main topics:
— Analysis of the Russian market for starch and starch products: results for 2025 and forecast until 2030
— Consumer preferences and trends: impact on product line development
— Top 10 key starch-based ingredients for various industries
— Functional foods: starch as the basis for innovative solutions
12:00 Session 2: “PRO Innovations and Biotechnology”
Main topics:
— Production of amino acids, vitamins, and organic acids from starch-containing raw materials
— Microbiological synthesis and enzymatic technologies
— Waste-free technologies and circular economy in starch production
— Innovative biocatalytic processes
— New generation modified starches: properties and applications
— Functional polysaccharides, thickeners, and emulsifiers based on starch
— Biodegradable polymers and packaging materials
— Starch in the production of alternative protein sources
2:30 p.m. Session 3: “PRO Bioclusters and Industrial Projects”
Main topics:
— Bioclusters for deep processing of plant raw materials: creating “global champions”
— Case studies of large industrial projects in the starch industry
— Regional development programs and the creation of industrial parks
— Public-private partnerships in the implementation of deep processing projects
16:00 Summary and closing of the conference. Reception
An exhibition will be held throughout the two days of the conference. The exhibitors are leading Russian and international companies in the field of engineering and construction of plants for deep processing of plant raw materials, as well as manufacturers of equipment, technological and digital solutions for the industry.
The Association's events were attended by more than 700 people from leading companies in the industry in Russia, the EAEU countries, China, Turkey, the EU countries, the USA, and other countries. Detailed information about the event is available at https://prostarch.ru
