Cationic starches are important commercial derivatives used in large quantities by the paper industry as wet end additives, where they provide retention, drainage and strength improvements, as press starches, and as binders in coatings. Cationic starches are normally purchased in dry powder form and cooked onsite in paper mills prior to application. Cationic starch has a positive charge (cat-ion) attached to it and is wet-end starch that increases the strength of paper and helps in fillers and fines retentions.