Thai NSTDA to invest in a pilot biorefinery
Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.
The Nation of Thailand has reported that The National Science and Technology
Development Agency (organism of the government of Thailand which supports
research in science and technology and its application in the Thai economy) will
invest 3.4 billion of Thai Bahts (almost 100 M€) in a pilot biorefinery in the
Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (ECCi).
News: “Planned biorefinery
first step to Biopolis”, 22/8/2019.
Figure 1. Thai NSTDA to invest in a pilot
biorefinery
The aim is to add value from biological
research to industrial manufacturing and create innovative products, while
raising Thailand’s as a hub for biotechnology in Southeast Asia. The plant will
help establish a circular economy in Thailand and reduce environmental problems
by turning waste into useful products. It will be able to process many feedstocks
and generate several products (nutraceuticals, bioplastics, green chemicals…).
Construction is expected to start next year. The
Phase 1A would be completed in the first quarter of 2021 and operations could begin in 2022. A consulting firm for tackling engineering design in now being
recruited. They also plan to expand by offering plants to other potential
markets (such as the United States, South America and Africa) which will
promote the role of Thailand in the field.