帝斯曼&布勒集团合资营养米企业（无锡）即将生产

DSM, Buhler to start production of fortified NutriRice kernels

By Jess Halliday

摘要：荷兰帝斯曼集团(DSM)和布勒集团合资成立的营养大米企业--维力米业有限公司在无锡成立，该公司是全球首家商业化生产维力米的工厂。

维力米是使用专利挤压工艺，将维生素和矿物质添加到天然谷物中去的营养大米，该技术是通过将营养强化剂进行微胶囊包埋实现的，从而解决了大米在贮存，生产中的营养流失问题。新工厂的设备投资达到2000万元左右，布勒集团和DSM公司各持有合资公司50%的股权。

维力米工厂将于今年8月投入生产，年生产能力为1500吨。除供应中国市场外，还将供应全球市场。 

27/06/2007-DSM and Buhler today announced the opening production facility of their Chinese joint venture Wuxi NutriRice Co, marking the imminent start of the first commercial production of nutritionally-enriched rice kernels for mixing with natural rice.

In conceiving the joint venture,DSMbrought to the table its experience in nutrient formulation, whileBuhler, a process engineering firm, brought advanced technology in grain processing and food extrusion.

Production is expected to commence at the facility in August, with an initial limited capacity to enrich around 80,000 tonnes of rice."As the first facility of its kind, it is primarily intended for market development and it is anticipated that the capacity will be increased in the coming years."

The development and production ofNutriRiceis expected to help improve the health and nutritional status of the Chinese population, for which rice is a staple product but where nutritional deficiencies still exist, particularly in iron and vitamin A. When people have enough to eat but their food is of poor nutritional value, they are said to suffer from"hidden hunger". This means they may still suffer from malnutrition, which can result in poor productivity or blindness.

Moreover, as roll out is intended on a global basis, Wuxi NutriRice is expecting to create new opportunities for the rice industry in general. It plans to market the enriched kernels to rice millers and retailers, opening up the possibility for product differentiation on an enhanced health platform.


Part of the problem with rice is that many of the natural nutrients in rice tend to be lost during rice-whitening and polishing process, so that milled rice has a lower micronutrient profile than unmilled rice. Vitamins and minerals can also be"washed off"in the traditional rice-rinsing process, according to DSM.

The NutriRice process, which has been patented, involves the encapsulation of micronutrients within the kernel. Candidates for encapsulation include vitamins A and B, and iron and zinc, and multiple nutrients can be included in each kernel.

Besides boosting the nutrient profile, the process is also said to boost bioavailability and stability, so that more of the vitamins and minerals are retained during storage.

DSM has indicated that research into the technology behind NutriRice is on-going.

"The company will carry out further research in the field of rice enrichment to better fulfil the nutrient and health needs of the people worldwide,"said Stephan Tanda, a member of DSM's managing board of directors.

For several years now DSM has been running a Nutrition Improvement Program, which revolves around providing technical and scientific support for supplementation programmes around the world, and fortifying staple foods with essential vitamins and minerals.