Penford's family of products imparts functional characteristics to its customers' products. For example, specialty starches produced for food applications are used in coatings to provide crispness, improved taste and texture, and increased product life. Penford's food-grade starch products are also used as moisture binders to reduce fat levels, modify texture, and improve color and consistency in a variety of foods, including canned products, sauces, whole and processed meats, dry powdered mixes and other food and bakery products.

In Industrial markets, Penford's specialty products are used, for example, to improve the strength and quality of paper and packaging products and improve efficiencies in the manufacture of these products. Penford's starches are also used in coatings and as binders, providing strength and printability to fine white, magazine and catalog paper. In addition, Penford makes ethanol for use as fuel.

Penford's commitment can be summed up in three words: "Nature" -- which provides renewable materials, including corn, wheat, potatoes, tapioca and rice; "Science" -- which underlies Penford's research and product development work, where Penford is dedicated to applying science to natural, renewable materials; and, "Solutions" -- which reflect the value-added contributions Penford makes to its customers' products and processes. In short, Penford aims to be the best at helping its customers meet the complex challenges of today's marketplace.