Cargill logo

Cargill

Last updated January 31, 2026
36
Innovation Areas
803
Inventors
20
Collaborations

Cargill Research Landscape: Recent R&D and Innovation Focus Areas

This landscape reveals what Cargill is actively researching on recently. It organizes signals from patents into clusters of real scientific and technical questions being explored, showing where Cargill is repeatedly investing effort, building knowledge, and reducing uncertainty. The result is a forward-looking view of strategic intent , often visible months or years before it appears in products, partnerships, or financial disclosures of Cargill.

What are Cargill's key R&D focus areas?

Zein protein molecular assembly

(2)problems

Poor solubility and brittleness in plant-based polymers limit their industrial utility. Precise manipulation of the corn-derived zein fraction improves film flexibility and barrier performance for high-value coatings.

Electromagnetic and acoustic sensor integration

(2)problems

Environmental exposure and mechanical stress compromise internal component integrity. Precision engineering of the protective shell maintains alignment and prevents ingress failure.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolic engineering

(3)problems

Inconsistent metabolic yields in wild-type strains increase production costs for bio-based chemicals. Engineering specific genetic pathways within the yeast cell ensures predictable and scalable fermentation outputs.

Plant-based lipid emulsification systems

(2)problems

High viscosity in solid vegetable fats prevents efficient bulk transport and precise dosing in food production. Engineering the rheological properties of cocoa butter systems allows for continuous pump-based processing without thermal degradation.

Macroporous resin adsorption chromatography

(4)problems

Poor solubility and precipitation in aqueous solutions limit high-potency sweetener applications, which these innovations mitigate through controlled glycoside concentration and stabilization. This allows for consistent flavor profiles in concentrated liquid formats without sediment formation.

Continuous tubular reactor oil refining

(3)problems

Thermal processing of vegetable oils generates carcinogenic esters and glycidyl compounds that trigger regulatory rejection. This lever engineers specific adsorbent-oil contact stages to selectively strip contaminants while preserving lipid integrity.

Bituminous binder rheology

(2)problems

Variable thermal susceptibility in pavement leads to premature rutting and cracking costs. Engineering the viscoelastic properties of the binder ensures structural integrity under heavy load cycles.

Mannose oligosaccharide enzymatic modification

(2)problems

Inconsistent carbohydrate chain lengths lead to unpredictable functional properties in food and pharma applications. These processes chemically alter the glycosidic linkages to ensure precise molecular weight distribution and solubility.

Oleosome phospholipid membrane architecture

(2)problems

Unstable lipid emulsions lead to phase separation and ingredient oxidation in formulations. Engineering the natural protein-phospholipid shell of oleosomes maintains structural integrity and protects encapsulated bioactive compounds.

Clean label amylopectin starch networks

(2)problems

Inconsistent particle hydration leads to poor sensory profiles and odor retention in topical formulations. Controlling the starch polymer network stabilizes the release of active ingredients and ensures specific textural consistency.

Modified starch lipid structuring

(2)problems

Texture inconsistencies in plant-based proteins lead to poor mouthfeel and consumer rejection. Engineering specific starch-based structural matrices stabilizes the moisture-to-fat ratio to mimic animal tissue density.

Acidified thermal dextrinization control

(2)problems

Uncontrolled solubility and molecular encapsulation rates lead to inconsistent active ingredient delivery. Precise manipulation of the dextrin backbone stabilizes guest-host complexes to ensure predictable release profiles.

Short path evaporation kinetics

(3)problems

Thermal degradation of heat-sensitive compounds during distillation increases yield loss and impurity profiles. Precise control of the evaporation path length and residence time minimizes thermal stress to preserve product integrity.

Hydrocolloid polysaccharide matrix stabilization

(2)problems

Variable nutrient profiles in raw marine vegetation create downstream processing inconsistencies. Precise control over species-specific chemical constituents ensures predictable yields for bio-based derivatives.

Bituminous binder impregnated fabric

(2)problems

Substrate permeability leads to product spoilage and shelf-life degradation. Precise control of the aqueous polymer phase ensures uniform film formation to block moisture and gas migration.

Cnidaria derived non-heme protein pigments

(2)problems

Standard plant-based colorants fail to mimic the thermal color transition of animal myoglobin, leading to unappealing consumer experiences. Engineered coral-derived proteins provide a controlled denaturation profile that replicates the red-to-brown transition during cooking.

Natural oil triglyceride plasticizer

(4)problems

Petroleum-derived emollients face regulatory pressure and supply chain instability, which is mitigated by engineering natural oil-based lipid structures. Controlling the chemical modification of bio-lipids ensures functional equivalence to petrolatum while meeting sustainability mandates.

Kinetic sensory modifier matrices

(2)problems

Inconsistent mouthfeel and particle clumping in dry or plant-based matrices lead to poor consumer acceptance and processing downtime. These innovations engineer the interfacial properties of particles to stabilize texture and flow.

Enzymatically modified soluble starch fraction

(2)problems

Inconsistent viscosity and poor dissolution in liquid bases lead to sedimentation and texture defects. Engineering the enzymatic breakdown and particle size of rice flour ensures uniform solubility and shelf stability.

Membrane-mediated saccharide crystallization kinetics

(1)problems

Standard glucose syrups lack specific viscosity and glycemic properties required for advanced food matrices. Engineering the saccharide distribution and chain length allows for precise control over texture and metabolic response.

Volatile flavor compound adsorption

(2)problems

Crude oil impurities cause rapid oxidation and off-flavors that reduce shelf life and market value. Controlled chemical refining and adsorbent bleaching stabilize the lipid profile to ensure food-grade purity.

Dielectric oil quality sensors

(2)problems

Degraded frying oil generates polar compounds that ruin food quality and increase operational waste. Real-time sensing and predictive modeling mitigate these costs by extending the oil's usable life cycle.

Multiphase water-in-oil emulsion architecture

(1)problems

Thermodynamic instability in nested droplets leads to rapid phase separation and payload loss. These innovations engineer the interfacial tension and surfactant geometry to maintain structural integrity of double emulsions.

Alkalized cocoa powder composition

(2)problems

Standard cocoa processing results in inconsistent color and flavor profiles that reduce product premiumization. These innovations engineer specific pH and pressure parameters to achieve precise dark pigmentation and flavor stability.

Sunflower seed lipid structuring

(2)problems

Fluctuating cocoa butter prices and supply chain instability create significant cost volatility in confectionery manufacturing. These innovations mitigate financial risk by engineering sunflower seed-derived materials to replicate the crystalline structure and mouthfeel of traditional cocoa fats.

Reactive esterification and phase separation

(1)problems

Low yields in bio-based acrylic acid production stem from inefficient dehydration of intermediate acids. These methods engineer specific catalytic recovery and esterification steps to stabilize chemical precursors for industrial scale-up.

Textured protein comminution and binding

(2)problems

Rapid oxidation and microbial growth in cooked meats lead to premature spoilage and waste. Precise gas composition control within the packaging extends shelf life and maintains organoleptic quality.

Hydrocarbon solvent recovery fractionation

(2)problems

Mineral oil contamination in food-grade oils creates significant regulatory and health risks. These innovations utilize specific separation stages to selectively strip saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons from vegetable lipids.

Thermal coagulation kinetic control

(1)problems

Inconsistent texture and shelf-stability in processed egg derivatives lead to significant batch waste. Precise thermal and enzymatic control of protein structures ensures uniform functional properties and product safety.

Blown soybean corn oil blend

(2)problems

Standard mineral oils pose environmental risks and thermal instability in transformers, which is mitigated by precisely controlling the blowing and stripping of soybean and corn stillage oil. This engineering of the lipid structure ensures high dielectric strength and biodegradability for power distribution equipment.

Carbohydrate based wood adhesive resins

(1)problems

Formaldehyde-based resins pose significant regulatory and health risks, which are mitigated by engineering high-strength bonds using pea protein and epoxy-functionalized ethers. This chemistry stabilizes the adhesive network to ensure structural integrity in engineered wood products.

Acid anhydride reaction accelerants

(1)problems

Linear fatty acid feedstocks suffer from high pour points that limit lubricant and surfactant performance. These innovations utilize specific pore-structured catalysts to control the branching architecture of saturated chains.

Citrus fiber microfibrillar network

(2)problems

Standard pulp processing results in poor rehydration and loss of functional texture, which is mitigated through controlled thermal and mechanical modification of the fiber network. This engineering of the structural matrix allows for high-performance stabilization in food systems without synthetic additives.

Transgenic polyunsaturated fatty acid pathways

(1)problems

High saturated fat profiles in oilseeds limit marketability and nutritional value. Genetic modulation of desaturase pathways reduces stearic and palmitic acid levels to meet heart-healthy specifications.