The invention relates to a method for the continuous production of hydrolytically
broken down starch or hydrolytically broken down substituted starch products such
as hydroxyethyl- or hydroxypropyl starch. The invention essentially consists of
carrying out most of the hydrolytic breakdown in a pipe-shaped, temperature-controlled
reactor having no mixing elements. The remaining breakdown is carried out in one
or more reactors fitted with mixing elements (fine hydrolysis). The product obtained
can be used both in the food industry and for medical purposes, especially as plasma diluent.