RiceBran Technologies appoints João Eduardo Luz de Almeida as president of Irgovel

Next to RiceBran Technologies, which has appointed João Eduardo Luz de Almeida as president of Irgovel, its rice bran bio-refining subsidiary in Pelotas, Brazil.

Mr. Almeida brings nearly 30 years’ experience in agribusiness and food ingredients, having spent the past 24 years in senior positions at Bunge.

In his most recent position as Director of Special Projects he oversaw the launch of a new biodiesel business in Brazil. In his previous positions at Bunge, Brazil he served as Director of Ingredients, Director of Agrisolutions, and Business Relations Manager.

W. John Short, CEO at RiceBran, said:

"His proven leadership skills, extensive industry and market knowledge, and his hands-on experience in soybean oil and soy protein manufacturing, coupled with his intimate knowledge of wholesale and retail markets for animal nutrition, human food ingredient and retail sales of edible oil, will build on our solid foundation in agribusiness and food ingredients to help fully develop Irgovel's potential." ​

Value-added ingredients from rice bran​

RiceBran Technologies is an expert in extracting value-added ingredients from rice bran, which always used to be regarded as a waste by-product of rice-milling.

By arresting the enzymatic reaction that causes raw rice bran to deteriorate after milling, RiceBran can stabilize the bran and produce a range of ingredients from rice bran oil to soluble and insoluble fibers.

Its latest offerings are PRORYZA P-35, a 35% water-dispersible rice bran protein extract for beverage applications; and PRORYZA PF-20/50, a 20% rice bran protein and 50% insoluble rice bran dietary fiber product that will initially be targeted to the natural health food industry.

Other products to follow at a later date are likely to include more concentrated protein concentrates and isolates.