University of Virginia Students Gain Insights into Sustainable Tapioca Starch Solutions at SMS

On 19 May 2026, SMS Corporation welcomed 25 students from the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce for an immersive company visit focused on tapioca starch innovation, sustainability, and industrial applications.

The visit provided students with valuable insights into how SMS develops and commercializes modified tapioca starch solutions across multiple industries through innovation, research, and sustainable manufacturing practices.

The student delegation represented a diverse range of academic disciplines, including Finance, Marketing & Management, Business Analytics, and Biotechnology. The program is part of the University of Virginia’s global academic initiative designed to help students better understand the economic, cultural, political, and geopolitical factors influencing business and commerce across Southeast Asia through direct engagement with industry leaders.

During the session, SMS introduced the company’s business overview, global operations, and innovation-driven approach in developing functional tapioca starch solutions for food, pharmaceutical, protein, paper, packaging, and industrial applications. Students also learned how SMS has achieved more than 40 years of sustainable growth through continuous innovation, commercialization, and customer-focused partnerships.

The visit encouraged active discussion and meaningful exchanges between students and the SMS team, allowing participants to gain firsthand perspectives on the future of sustainable ingredients, value-added agriculture, and Thailand’s tapioca starch industry.

As part of the experience, students toured SMS’s four Innovation Centers:

• Food Innovation Center
• Pharmaceutical Innovation Center
• Protein Innovation Center
• Paper & Industrial Innovation Center

The program concluded with a visit to the Bioplastic Plant, where students explored how tapioca starch is transformed into sustainable and biodegradable applications, including eco-friendly drinking straws and other bio-based solutions.

By welcoming future global business leaders from around the world, SMS continues to reinforce its commitment to innovation, sustainability, knowledge sharing, and collaborative learning while showcasing the potential of tapioca starch innovation on the global stage.