Axiom Foods, the first and largest producer of hypoallergenic whole grain brown rice products in the world, is expanding its global footprint into India where it will manufacture hexane and ethanol-free natural rice bran oil and rice bran ingredient to meet growing global demand.
Using its proprietary cold-pressed, chemical-free enzymatic fractioning process, Axiom manufactures dietary inclusive protein concentrates and isolates, sugars, sugar solids, milks, flours, and starches for use in the production of “better for you” foods at a cost that is 25 percent lower than existing production methods which employ hexane and ethanol in their processing.
In addition, David Janow, CEO of Axiom notes that the combination of B vitamins, phosphorous, and gamma Oryzanol present in stabilized rice bran oil has been valued by the horse racing industry for its equine muscle building abilities.
“We have identified a varietal of Indian rice as having the highest yield of oil and nutrients; and the massive source meets our strict quality testing requirements,” said Janow. “Building this facility is a sustainable expansion, as it eradicates having to ship rice across the world for processing.”
Due to its growing popularity in the “better for you” food market and its antioxidant properties, as well as its growing use in the cosmetics and healthcare spaces, rice bran oil, which is derived from the husk or outermost layer of rice containing between 15 and 20 percent oil, is expected to see significant growth through 2024 according to Hexa Research.
However, Hexa notes, that because of its newness to the global market, rice bran oil is only now beginning to gain traction with consumers who are still not fully familiar with the product. Despite this, the global rice bran market reached a volume of 1.2 million tons last year (compared to the global edible oil market which is estimated at 165 million tons) and is expected to reach a value of more than $600 million by the end of 2016.
When considered as part of the broader functional ingredient market, rice bran oil has even great growth potential.
The functional food ingredients market, or the market for ingredients that have the capability to add a certain benefit to a processed food, is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of six percent between 2015 and 2020, reaching a value of $2.5 billion, according to Markets and Markets. And although North America was ranked as the top functional foods market, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the fastest growing market in the world due to the growing prominence of high blood pressure, diabetes, rickets, and digestive ailments.
Information regarding the site of the expansion or the exact investment for the plan was not released. However, Janow states, “Commercial quantities will be reached within six months and following we will also fraction protein from the bran layer. With the addition of these products and facility, Axiom Foods will help lead the rice bran ingredient industry. We are proud to be able to offer these superlative natural ingredients at an affordable cost; we’re on a mission to change the face of the global food ingredient market.”
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Lynda Kiernan
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