Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC) forged a cooperation in palm oil research development with Energy Absolute Public Co., Ltd. (EA) under a Memorandum of Understanding for the PMUC – GTR project to research and develop value-added products, drive to increase industrial competitiveness, and work towards supporting the country’s industry promotion policy – Bio-Circular-Green Economy.
Assoc. Prof. Siree Chaiseri, Ph.D., Director of PMUC, said that PMUC has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the project to join efforts between PMUC – Green Technology Research Co., Ltd. In the Wa Kor meeting room 2, 14th floor 14 of the Chamchuri Square building, Office of National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO) on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, which was a memorandum of cooperation in the development of research to add value to palm oil. and to create production efficiency at the energy industry level by integrating appropriate technology and innovation to create new products and production processes, leading to the creation of an innovative market including transfer of technology and body of knowledge in various fields to related businesses. This cooperation will raise the level of integration between the public and private sectors to another level in an effort to reduce the problem of excessively low prices for palm oil, as well as have direct positive impact at the producers’ level all the way up to the industry level. This is a driving force to increase the country’s competitiveness in energy, chemical and bio-materials industries. After the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation, PMUC and GTA, an announcement will be made to accept research proposals on the topic of Phase Change Material Application (PCM) by transforming palm oil or palm derivatives into high value chemicals for use in controlling temperature in changing conditions or where there is a big temperature difference. The aim is to find a research team to apply the research outcome as well as increase channels for expanding the market for PCM.
Mr. Amorn Sapthaweekul, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of EA, said that GTR, a company in the EV group, having the main mission of researching and developing modern technologies and innovations that are environmentally friendly, focuses on studying oleo-chemical products made from natural raw materials such as “Oil palm”, which is a cash crop for Thailand and very important for food and energy security. But still with the problem of low prices and price fluctuation, GTR has formulated a plan to promote and support research on palm oil from upstream to downstream, while receiving research funding from PMUC through a Memorandum of Cooperation. It is well known that PMUC is an important agency that can connect researchers in all fields to develop research with advanced technology and innovation, and focuses on technology transfer, and promoting the commercial utilization of research and innovation outputs. This cooperation is also driving the industry promotion policy, Bio-Circular-Green Economy, as well as developing small and medium-sized enterprises in related businesses through the cooperation of the two agencies that will jointly promote and add value to palm oil, resulting in the expansion of both domestic and international markets.
