Plans set for cassava bioplastic production
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thai Bioplastics Society and German Technical to make a four-year roadmap for research into turning cassava into bioplastics, and build awareness of bioplastics in the global arena.
The budget for the project is Bt1.8 billion, which has not been approved. The MOU was signed yesterday during the opening ceremony of an international conference and exhibition, InnoBioPlast 2006 and InnoMart 2006, which will be held until September 24 at Siam Paragon shopping complex. The event was arranged by the NIA, National Research Council of Thailand, and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion. The three organisations started working under the MOU early this year, according to Supachai Lorlowhakarn, the NIA's director. Supachai said the roadmap was separated into four parts - research and development, investment and marketing, personnel training, and infrastructure including logistics systems. He said that research and development tasks would be conducted in cooperation between public and private sectors. Meanwhile, the private sector will be asked for help in investment and marketing, and universities will be asked to train appropriate staff. When the roadmap is fully drafted, the three organisations will send it to National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) to seek funding from the government and set out the responsibilities of the organisations involved. He said the roadmap would be conducted in line with the 10th National Social and Economic Development Plan, which lists bioplastics as a main priority. The 10th plan runs from next month until 2011. Apart from waiting for the roadmap to be implemented, the three partners themselves will also research and build awareness of bioplastics. Supachai said Thailand was now the only country that had thought of developing cassava into bioplastics, largely because it had plenty of raw material, while other countries use corn. He said Thailand did not grow much corn, and that cassava would be cheaper for use in bioplastics. "This helps Thailand increase its global competitiveness. Many countries, for example in the European Union, have regulations requiring specific products to be made from recyclable or decomposable materials, including bioplastics. Above all this helps Thai agriculture as a whole. Cassava is one of the nation's three main economic crops, after rice and sugarcane. The government has helped cassava growers double or triple their prices, from the current Bt1.31 per kilogram," he said.
Nitida Asawanipont The Nation
|
