Sanli Food: A Leader in China's Dual-Crop (Potato and Sweet Potato) Starch Production

Using just one production line to simultaneously manufacture both potato starch and sweet potato starch, perfectly aligning its processing technology, Qinhuangdao Sanli Food Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Sanli Food") has become the first company in China's potato-starch industry to "take the plunge."

 

In 2023, Sanli Food undertook a technological upgrade and expansion project, resulting in the completion of China's first large-scale, intelligent production line dedicated to processing both potatoes and sweet potatoes. Yang Jie, General Manager of Sanli Food, stated: "This dual-starch line was developed by Sino-Food Machinery  Group as an upgraded version of the company’s 70-ton potato starch production line launched in 2018. Currently, this line has achieved three industry firsts: it marks the successful transformation and upgrade of China’s first dual-starch (potato-sweet potato) production line at Sanli Food in Qinhuangdao; it also represents the inauguration of the country’s largest-ever 110-ton potato starch production line at Sanli Food; and finally, it signifies the successful operation of China’s highest-capacity dual-starch line at the same facility."

 

 

Sino-Food Machinery Group, the designer and manufacturer of the dual-potato starch production line, proudly announced that this line not only boasts the largest single-machine production capacity in China but also currently ranks among the world’s highest. The successful commissioning of this line marks a revolutionary milestone for China’s potato and sweet potato starch processing industries—and even for the global tuber-starch processing sector as a whole. Wang Dengrong, Chief Technical Officer of Sino-Food Machinery Group, explained that the production line can handle up to 110 tons per hour of potato raw materials and 60 tons per hour of sweet potato raw materials. Equipped with a 1400mm centrifugal screen and a 700mm hydrocyclone, the line is capable of producing over 360 tons of high-quality potato starch and more than 240 tons of premium sweet potato starch daily. Notably, the line employs a single-line process design that ensures reliable and stable operation. Its fully automated, unmanned intelligent system further highlights cutting-edge technological innovation, delivering starch products whose quality rivals that of EU standards.

Yang Jie pointed out that this expansion and renovation project features three major innovations, enhancements, and improvements.

First, production capacity has been significantly boosted, with starch quality now rivaling EU standards, effectively positioning the company for the next step of expanding into international markets. Yang Jie stated that the newly built dual-starch production line can annually produce over 15,000 tons of premium potato starch and 20,000 tons of sweet potato starch. Today, Sanli Food stands as an outstanding leading enterprise in China’s food industry, a key provincial-level agricultural industrialization leader in Hebei Province, and a specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative SME in Hebei Province. Additionally, it serves as a vice-presidential member of the Starch and Starch Products Committee under the China Food Industry Association, a directorial member of the China Starch Industry Association, a vice-president unit of the Hebei Provincial Food Industry Association, a vice-president unit of the Qinhuangdao Food Association, and the executive vice-president unit of the Qinhuangdao Fen Tiao (Noodle) Association. The company is also a participating entity in the development of the national GB/T 23587 standard for fen tiao, and proudly holds certifications for Halal food, HACCP system compliance, as well as export qualifications.

 

In addition, in recent years, Sanli Food has gradually established a collaborative business model of "farmers + professional cooperatives + company." The company directly purchases and processes fresh potatoes from farmer-led cooperatives, acquiring and processing over 250,000 tons of fresh potatoes annually. This approach has not only effectively addressed the challenge farmers face in selling their produce but has also significantly boosted the enthusiasm of potato and sweet potato growers in Changli County and surrounding areas. As a result, Changli County’s potato planting area has expanded dramatically—from 50,000 to 60,000 mu initially, to more than 100,000 mu today. Meanwhile, this initiative has encouraged farmers to actively participate in agricultural industrialization, continuously extending the agricultural value chain, thereby enhancing farmers’ incomes, helping them achieve prosperity, and contributing to the robust growth of the local economy.

Second, a massive investment was made to build a solid-waste resource utilization project, effectively resolving the environmental challenge. As everyone knows, if potato starch production fails to properly manage and recycle potato pulp and wastewater, it can easily lead to serious environmental pollution. In this recent expansion and upgrade project, Sanli Food boldly committed substantial funds to thoroughly tackle the environmental issue.

A complete system for solid waste resource utilization has been established, featuring a 32,000 m³ anaerobic reactor, a 4,000 m³ double-membrane gas holder, and 93 units of solid waste recycling equipment. The system annually produces 9 million cubic meters of biogas, 179,000 tons of digestate, and 7,000 tons of solid organic fertilizer. Additionally, a dedicated protein extraction line has been built, capable of producing over 3,300 tons of potato-based protein each year, along with a fiber production line that generates more than 10,000 tons of potato residue fiber annually. This integrated system ensures that every potato is fully utilized—leaving nothing behind—thus meeting the internationally recognized "all-in, all-out" production standard.

 

 

Yang Jie stated that Sanli Food's solid waste resource utilization system comprehensively treats water and residue to produce biogas, which is then reused as an energy source supplied to the starch production and processing stage. This innovative approach turns waste into valuable resources, enabling sustainable development through a closed-loop recycling process. With the aid of automated control systems, the entire treatment process operates smoothly and efficiently, featuring simple operation procedures and eliminating unpleasant odors from the facility—significantly enhancing the overall production environment. Industry insiders have noted that Sanli Food's technology for the comprehensive utilization of juice and potato residue from its potato starch processing not only sets a benchmark for seamlessly integrating environmental, ecological, and economic benefits but also demonstrates the outstanding sustainability of this circular economy model for solid waste management.

Third, drawing on the EU's experience, we have completed the construction of a 650-ton starch storage facility. Yang Jie candidly admitted that Sanli Food’s successful design and construction of this starch warehouse "stood on the shoulders of giants," benefiting from the EU's proven expertise. While seemingly unremarkable at first glance, this starch storage facility actually plays a crucial role: it ensures more uniform moisture distribution in the starch, preventing clumping or spoilage even over long-term storage. Additionally, it cuts labor requirements by half, easing the burden of packaging operations—allowing for continuous production, with just one shift of workers handling packaging during the day. Moreover, the facility can also serve as a conventional warehouse, helping to optimize and save valuable storage space.

 

Time never grows old; innovation never stops. Looking ahead to future growth, Yang Jie is fully confident: First, we will gradually establish our own high-starch-content raw material cultivation bases, continuously refining our processing technologies to further enhance starch quality. At the same time, we’ll leverage our well-developed and convenient sea transportation network to deliver premium-quality starch products to markets worldwide. Second, we’ll creatively utilize by-products—specifically, after purifying biogas to 75% purity for power generation, or further upgrading it to over 90% for sale to gas stations. In collaboration with research institutions, we’ll transform the remaining biogas slurry into high-value-added foliar fertilizers, effectively doubling its market appeal. Finally, we’ll continue expanding into innovative starch-derived products, extending our popular fen tiao (glass noodles) into diverse product categories such as staple foods, pre-made dishes, and convenient food items. This will enable us to offer a versatile range of offerings across four key market segments: pre-packaged products, fresh consumption noodles, dried noodles, and brick-and-mortar retail options. Through these efforts, we aim to elevate "Changli Fen Tiao (Glass Noodles)" to become a renowned local landmark product and a new culinary ambassador on the global stage.

(Potato Reporter Reports)