LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S. — Axiom Foods, a U.S.-based maker of plant proteins, said on Oct. 5 that it plans to expand into India, where it will produce hexane- and ethanol-free natural rice bran oil and stabilized rice bran ingredients for the human food and animal feed sectors.

“Our natural process will offer the food and equine feed industries not only a chemical-free and nutrient-rich product, but at a cost savings of at least 25% less than what the competition is able to offer,” said David Janow, chief executive officer of Axiom Foods. “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. Building this facility is a sustainable expansion, as it eradicates having to ship rice across the world for processing. Commercial quantities will be reached within 6 months and following we will also fraction protein from the bran layer.”

The company did not disclose where in India it plans to build its new facility.

According to Global Market Insights, the global rice bran oil market was estimated at more than 1.2 million tons in 2015, and the global edible oil market was estimated at more than 165 million tons. The Indian rice bran oil market is forecast to total more than $600 million by the end of 2016.