Elevating rice bran into a global health revolution

RECOGNIZED as one of the world’s leading producers of rice bran oil and related rice brand products¸ the Thai Edible Oil Co., Ltd was established in 1977 as the founding company of King Rice Group. The rice bran oil refinery processes 350 tons of crude oil daily, producing up to 60,000 tons of refined oil annually in the provinces of Samut Prakan and Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand. Its products are exported to over 30 countries.

 

The company leverages its years of experience as a key advantage, enhancing its production processes with new technology and quality control measures to meet high industry standards.

 

In this interview, CEO Prateep Santiwattana highlights the reasons rice bran oil is a standout choice in the edible oil market, and discusses notable aspects in the company’s production process.

 

 

Prateep Santiwattana, CEO, Thai Edible Oil Co., Ltd

 

What motivated your company to explore rice bran and rice germ as a source for oil production?

Thailand produces approximately 30 million tons of rice annually, making it a key economic crop. Rice bran, a byproduct of rice milling, was previously underutilized despite its abundance. Recognizing its potential, we saw an opportunity to create value by producing rice bran oil.

 

At the time, there were a few producers of rice bran oil in Thailand, and we had to compete with other edible oils in the market.

 

A major challenge was consumer perception — as most associate rice bran with animal feed and are unaware of its health benefits. Additionally, raw rice bran has a short shelf life due to enzymatic activity, which alters its fatty acid composition and reduces nutritional value if not refined promptly. Furthermore, the refining process is costly, and at the time no existing machinery could efficiently extract and process the oil. So, we invested in developing proprietary technology to meet industry standards.

 

 

How does rice bran oil compare to other edible/cooking oils?

Rice bran oil offers superior nutrition compared to many other cooking oils. It is rich in natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, including oryzanol, phytosterols, and vitamin E, which help neutralize free radicals and reduce LDL cholesterol.

 

Rice bran oil has been scientifically proven to support heart health, and we were the first company to receive the “Heart-Healthy” food logo from the Heart Foundation of Thailand under the Royal Patronage.

 

 

Oryzanol is especially unique in rice bran oil, offering six times the antioxidant compared to vitamin E. It also improves menopausal symptoms, protects against UV damage, hydrates the skin, and reduces inflammation.

 

Additionally, it is high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and has a high smoke point of 230°C (446°F), making it ideal for frying and stir-frying.

 

In Thailand the application is well accepted for use in baby food and medical nutrition products such as diabetic-friendly milk formulas. Half of our oil sale in Thailand is supplied to the food manufacturing sector, while the other half is distributed through retail channels.

 

Can you walk us through the process of sustainably producing King Rice Bran Oil, from raw material selection to final packaging?

 

Rice bran oil is extracted from the bran and germ, which comprise 10% of the rice paddy. To ensure a consistent supply of high-quality raw materials, we partner with rice millers and intermediaries, maintaining fair pricing and rigorous quality control. Each batch undergoes Near Infrared (NIR) Spectrometer for rapid precise assessment while minimizing chemical use.

 

 

The process begins with maintaining the freshness of the rice bran. Storage is a closed silo system using a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) approach. Since rice bran contains approximately 18% extractable oil, we use solvent extraction methods while repurposing defatted bran for animal feed supplied to our feed customers.  Other byproducts such as broken rice and rice lump are supplied to local communities for local farms.

 

Our refining process includes chemical refining followed by multi-step filtration and deodorization to reduce acidity, remove odors, and eliminate impurities without compromising flavor. Our double winterization technique also ensures clarity, making the oil suitable for salad dressings and premium products.

 

Aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, we maximize yield and minimize waste. Our crude oil clarification process has cut processing losses by 135 tons and reduced wastewater treatment burdens.  We are also a pioneer company in adopting biomass steam production and reducing fuel oil by 1.68 million liters annually for over 40 years. We also utilize solar energy and are recognized as a green culture enterprise. 

 

For our corporate social responsibility (CSR), we have reforested 83 acres at our Nakhon Ratchasima facility and launched the King Food Good Life Continuous Project, an initiative allowing local communities to exchange used cooking oil for King Rice Bran Oil.

 

In good governance, we comply with multiple international standards, including SEDEX, ISO standards, and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program for supply chain security. Our commitment to food safety is reflected in certifications such as BRCGS, GMP, HACCP, Kosher, Halal and ISO 17025 for laboratory. In 2018, we received “The Prime Minister's Industry Award” from Thai Ministry of Industry.

 

 

What sets your product apart from the competition?

With 48 years of expertise, we continuously invest in advanced technology. Our state-of-the-art vacuum steam distillation and deodorization systems ensure purity, making our facility the most advanced in this region.

 

We exclusively use Thai, non-GMO rice bran and comply with international standards, including Codex Alimentarius Commission, EU Regulation and BRCGS.

 

Our laboratory holds the LPP (Laboratory Proficiency Program) from the American Oil Chemists' Society (AOCS) in 2021-2024. We were recognized as the first place in the analytical work for the determinator of Trans Fatty Acid content in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

 

Our R&D-driven approach has led to the development of the highest oryzanol content (15,000 ppm), a unique industry innovation. Over the past decade, we invested USD8 million in brand and marketing campaigns and USD2 million in R&D.

 

Since 2006, our products have earned five innovation awards and the 2024 Honorary Award from Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), reinforcing market recognition and consumer trust in rice bran oil.

 

 

 

Which applications of rice bran oil do you consider industry game-changers?

Many studies have demonstrated that rice bran oil consumption significantly reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels, contributing to cardiovascular diseases prevention and control. Then, our rice bran oil is a key ingredient in specialized medical foods, such as meals and milk formulas for patients,

 

In cosmetics, rice bran oil is rich in potent antioxidants, including vitamin E and oryzanol, which shield the skin from free radical damage. It deeply nourishes and hydrates, promoting a healthy, youthful complexion. Making it an ideal ingredient for hand creams, lotions, body oils, and skincare formulations.

 

What are the opportunities and challenges in expanding rice bran oil globally?

The opportunity of rice bran oil has significant growth potential in the global market, as consumer awareness and sales remain relatively low compared to other vegetable oils. The increasing trend towards health-conscious lifestyles worldwide further drives demand.

 

We continue to develop value-added by-products, such as rice bran wax for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. We are also studying healthy snacks and beverages markets to meet the growing demand from health-conscious consumers.

 

However, challenges remain. Ensuring a consistent supply chain is essential for maintaining quality and availability. Additionally, international testing standards designed for conventional vegetable oils often misrepresent rice bran oil’s unique properties.

 

We closely monitor EU regulations and actively support regulatory bodies by providing oil quality assessment information. Our goal is to advance global standardization and to enhance the precision of rice bran oil quality benchmarks.

 

Another challenge is price competition with imported rice bran oil brands, which are lower in price due to their inferior quality. These imported oils are repackaged and sold domestically, impacting market positioning for high-quality producers.

 

However, as global consumers become more informed about quality and health benefits, we remain confident in our leadership position in the rice bran oil industry.