International Conference on Rice Bran Oil 2026

Viewed as a continuous sequence, the images from 2013 to 2026 represent far more than memories of conferences held in different years. Together, they document a shared journey among academics, entrepreneurs, and international partners who believe that rice bran – once regarded merely as a by-product of rice milling – can be transformed into a valuable resource for human health, economic development, and global society.

For more than a decade, through our work in initiating and pioneering the Centre of Excellence in Fats and Oils (COEFO), we have never viewed an academic conference as simply a gathering of experts delivering presentations. We believe that an academic platform should serve as an “intellectual infrastructure” that connects laboratory knowledge with the needs of the production sector and translates that knowledge into meaningful benefits for farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and society.

The ICRBO Journey Began in Thailand

In 2013, Naresuan University hosted “The 1^st Thailand Conference on Fats and Oils: Roles of Rice Bran Oil and its Products in the Changing Asia” at Naresuan University in Phitsanulok, Thailand. The conference created a platform for knowledge exchange among academics, rice bran oil producers, rice mill operators, processors, and stakeholders throughout the value chain.

The most important outcome of that conference did not end with its closing ceremony. It was the collective agreement to establish the International Association of Rice Bran Oil (IARBO), together with a framework through which member countries would take turns hosting the International Conference on Rice Bran Oil (ICRBO).

From that point onward, the international network continued to grow.

• 2014 – Wuhan, China: The International Association of Rice Bran Oil was officially launched with five founding member countries: China, India, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The 1^st International Conference on Rice Bran Oil was held under the theme “Safety, Nutrition and Health,” establishing safety, nutrition, and health as the academic foundations of the network.
• 2015 – Mumbai, India: The 2^nd International Conference on Rice Bran Oil was held under the theme “Position, Promotion and Prospect of Rice Bran Oil as a Health Oil in the World.” The conference expanded the discussion to the positioning, promotion, and future of rice bran oil as a healthy oil for global consumers, while connecting leading industry operators with the academic community.
• 2016 – Tokyo, Japan: The 3^rd International Conference on Rice Bran Oil was held under the theme “Rice Bran Oil, its Global Impact on Nutrition and Industries.” It highlighted the global impact of rice bran oil on nutrition and industry while providing opportunities for research presentations and shared learning among young researchers, academics, and industry representatives.
• 2017 – Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand returned as host of the 4^th International Conference on Rice Bran Oil under the theme “Rice Bran Oil Application: Pharma-Cosmetics, Nutraceuticals & Foods.” The conference expanded the application of rice bran oil beyond edible oil into foods, nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, and other health-related applications, demonstrating the tangible potential for creating greater value from rice bran.
• 2018 – Hanoi, Vietnam: The 5^th International Conference on Rice Bran Oil was held under the theme “Rice Bran Oil – The World’s Premium Healthy Oil,” reflecting the advancement of rice bran oil from a national product toward recognition as a premium healthy oil for global consumers.
• 2019 – Guangzhou, China: The 6^th International Conference on Rice Bran Oil was held under the theme “Rice Bran Oil: For a Healthier Life.” The conference reaffirmed the network’s shared commitment to applying science and technology to improve quality of life. Bangladesh and Pakistan joined the association, bringing IARBO’s membership to seven countries.
• 2023 – Hyderabad, India: Following a period of interruption in international activities, the 7^th International Conference on Rice Bran Oil returned with renewed momentum under the theme “Promoting Rice Bran Oil – A Wonder Oil.” The conference expanded public communication about the benefits of rice bran oil and emphasized the importance of developing a sustainable production ecosystem.
• 2025 – Portland, Oregon, USA: The IARBO network connected with the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo, one of the world’s leading scientific platforms for fats and oils. This represented another important milestone in extending the academic network beyond Asia.
• 2026 – Bangkok, Thailand: Thailand was once again honored to host the 8^th International Conference on Rice Bran Oil under the theme “Current Issues on Rice Bran Oil Production, Consumption, and Perspectives.”

ICRBO 2026 covered knowledge across the entire value chain – from raw materials, rice bran stabilization, extraction and refining technologies, bioactive compounds and health-promoting properties, and utilization of non-oil fractions to advanced processing, quality and regulatory requirements, contaminants, sustainable technologies, consumer behavior, and future market perspectives.

Myanmar also joined the association as its newest member, bringing the total number of IARBO member countries to eight.

The Academic Framework That Has Guided ICRBO Consists of Four Essential Pillars

• Science-based knowledge – Using scientific evidence as the foundation for improving quality, safety, nutritional value, and the responsible communication of health benefits.
• Whole value-chain development – Viewing the rice bran oil industry as an integrated system, from rice and rice bran to milling, stabilization, extraction, refining, co-product utilization, markets, and consumers.
• International co-creation – Enabling academics and entrepreneurs from different countries to jointly identify challenges, exchange experiences, and develop solutions that can be implemented in practice.
• Knowledge to societal impact – Translating knowledge into technologies, products, standards, policy recommendations, and business opportunities that create value for society.

The participation of 316 academics and industry representatives from 13 countries – and the conference hall remaining full throughout both days of ICRBO 2026 – provided a compelling indication that the academic knowledge shared at the conference addressed the real needs of the rice bran oil industry and related sectors.

Entrepreneurs within this network did not participate merely as event sponsors. They served as “academic partners” who shared industrial experience, identified real production challenges, supported research, and helped translate knowledge into practical applications.

This is a genuine model of how internationally connected enterprises can contribute to society through science, knowledge sharing, and responsible collaboration.

Moving forward, rice-producing countries and relevant government agencies should work together to advance the rice bran oil industry systematically through supportive policies and research investment. Priorities should extend from raw-material research, production technologies, and safety standards to co-product utilization, consumer communication, and market development.

Such an integrated approach will ensure that the knowledge generated by this international community contributes simultaneously to industrial competitiveness, public health, and sustainability.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Naresuan University, the International Association of Rice Bran Oil, the co-organizers, sponsors, speakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and delegates from every participating country.

Our appreciation also goes to the faculty members, staff, and organizing team from the Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, together with partner organizations and working teams from every contributing institution. Their dedication and collaboration made this international conference a complete success.

The journey captured in these images from 2013 to 2026 is therefore more than the history of a conference. It is the history of a shared belief, enduring collaboration, and the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.

From a shared idea in Thailand to a global community.

Science • Industry • Health • Friendship

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Riantong Singanusong

President, International Association of Rice Bran Oil

Conference Chairman, ICRBO 2026

Initiator and Pioneer of the Centre of Excellence in Fats and Oils

Naresuan University

#ICRBO2026 #IARBO #RiceBranOil #AcademicToImpact #InternationalCollaboration #NaresuanUniversity