Russia-based Rustark (Lipetsk; www.ru-stark.ru) has started the construction of its EUR 200m manufacturing complex to produce starch products and biopolymers using wheat as a feedstock. The first unit of the facility, which will be built in four stages over a period of 10-15 years, is expected to start production in 2022. The project involves a partnership with Swiss, Dutch and Russian investors.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, a time capsule was placed at the site located at the Lipetsk special economic zone south of Moscow. The occasion was attended by Russian deputy minister of agriculture Oksana Lut and acting governor for the Lipetsk region Igor Artamonov.