Highchem to Exclusively Distribute Groundbreaking 'Naked Oats' Food Ingredients in Japan

Highchem Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Minato-ku; President: Yuichi Taka) has signed an exclusive distribution agreement in Japan with Shanghai Yuanshang Fengwu Food Technology Co., Ltd., a Chinese emerging company specializing in oat manufacturing and sales. This partnership enables Highchem to introduce groundbreaking food ingredients primarily made from 'Naked Oats' from Northern China. The offerings include an 'Oat Flour Series' that allows for 100% wheat substitution through unique blending technology, and 'Oat Rice,' a grain-form oat with significant potential as a white rice alternative, providing new options for the Japanese food market. Highchem has focused on the high health benefits of oats, specifically 'Naked Oats' from Northern China, which differ from Western hulled varieties. These oats, grown in harsh natural environments, possess extremely high nutritional value and have been a staple in China for centuries. Their rich flavor is highly compatible with Japanese tastes. The Oat Flour Series, utilizing Highchem's unique blending technology, incorporates appropriate gluten to enable 100% wheat substitution without compromising the inherent nutritional value of Naked Oats. It achieves an innovative 'mochi-fuwa' (chewy-fluffy) texture. The product lineup includes oat flour (for bread, pastries, dim sum, Chinese noodles), whole grain oat flour (for high-nutrition bread, cereals), oat bran flour (for high-fiber functional foods), and oatmeal (for cereals, confectionery). 'Oat Rice,' traditionally known as 'Yanmai Rice' in China, can be cooked similarly to white rice and is proposed as an ideal daily staple food alternative, rich in dietary fiber often lacking in white rice. 'Oat Noodles,' made from whole grain Naked Oats, were historically a wartime staple due to their satiety. They are now popular in Chinese cities, with 400 oat noodle restaurant chains. Their unique texture offers high satisfaction for health-conscious noodle and dim sum development. Shanghai Yuanshang Fengwu Food Technology Co., Ltd. is a Chinese emerging company involved in oat cultivation, processing, and product development, leading the health food market in China with advanced processing technology. Highchem Co., Ltd.'s business includes trading, licensing, catalyst development, mass production/contract, green chemical, and next-generation energy development.