US ingredients systems manufacturer Penford Corporation and global agricultural giant Cargill announced plans this week to form a joint venture combining their industrial starch businesses in North America. The venture expects to create multiple plant efficiencies by utilising both companies' Cedar Rapids industrial starch facilities and a Cargill site in Ohio. The two companies hope that the combination will allow them to develop new products and to provide customers with strong customised solutions.Terms of the agreement, subject to approval, were not disclosed.