Opening Speech  “InnoBioPlast 2010” by Dr.Virachai Virameteekul  Minister of Science and Technology

9 September 2010  IMPACT Arena, Exhibition and Convention Center

 

Khun Piyabutr Cholvijarn (ปิยะบุตร ชลวิจารณ์), Former Deputy Minister of Industry and Member of the National Innovation Board

Khun Payungsak Chartsutipol (พยุงศักดิ์ ชาติสุทธิผล), Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and Member of the National Innovation Board

Khun Supachai Lorlowhakarn (ศุภชัย หล่อโลหการ), Director of the National Innovation Agency

Khun Somsak Borrisutthanakul (สมศักดิ์ บริสุทธนะกุล), Chairman of the Thai Bioplastics Industry Association

Distinguished guests, participants, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen;

Good morning to you all…

[Welcome]

                It is a great honor for me to be here at the opening ceremony of InnoBioPlast 2010.  This important gathering, it is hoped, would be able to connect Thai research and business communities with their international counterparts, in order to stimulate technology transfer and oversee investment in the area of bioplastics. It should be emphasized that this is already the third international conference and exhibition on bioplastics we have hosted because we strongly believe that it is an initiative which will not only benefit Thailand, but will also make a great contribution to our common goals towards a green planet.  
 

 

 

[Why bioplastics]

Ladies and gentlemen,

                It is undeniable that we are facing enormous environmental issues, particularly the climate change, as more and more greenhouse gases are being emitted everyday into the air. Each year, the world produces at least 28 billion tons of carbondioxide - the major greenhouse gas.  We cannot continue this way forever, and there is a pressing need to look for a way out. In our effort to reduce carbon emission, countries around the world have encouraged “green” industries as an alternative to conventional ones. One of the most prominent solutions to an environmental-friendlier alternative comes from the area of material science. 

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it cannot be anything else: this is all about bioplastics.  A preliminary calculation of the Life Cycle Assesment shows that bioplastics could reduce greenhouse gases emission as much as 25% in comparison to that of traditional petroleum-based plastics. While petroleum is a resource that is depleting and cannot be renewed, bioplastics are made from a renewable resource such as fully degradable biomass feedstock. Moreover, the entire production process uses biotechnology or fermentation combined with highly developed chemical technology, which consumes lower energy than traditional petrochemical method.

                Apart from the positive environmental impact, and in response to Prime Minister Abhisit’s policy of attaching great importance to the well-being of those in the agricultural sector, bioplastics help to stabilize the agricultural prices by adding value to their products.

 

[National Roadmap for Bioplastics]

                Thailand welcomes this challenging opportunity, and has therefore prioritized the bioplastics industry through the “New Wave Industry” program in order to accelerate the development of bioplastics, with a view to become a regional hub in Asia. We have already approved and pledged supports for such development under the National Roadmap, which will end in 2012, with the National Innovation Agency, NIA, as the focal point.  

                This “National Roadmap for the Development of Bioplastic Industry” contains four key strategies :

                           First: to achieve sufficient supply of agricultural raw materials;  

                           Second: to develop new technologies; 

                          Third: to build up the industry and innovative business and; 

                          Fourth: to establish supportive infrastructure.

 

                With the integration and close cooperation among the government, the private sector, and the research community, this Roadmap is expected to result in an economic value of at least 5.5 billion Baht.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

                Let me share with you some aspects of the Roadmap with particular emphasis on our work; what the Ministry of Science and Technology has been doing and what we aim to do in the future.

  

[First strategy: Thailand’s capacity in raw materials]

                The first strategy of our national roadmap involves raw materials. As a major agricultural country, Thailand has a high potential in terms of biomass feedstock, which provides an important foundation for bioplastics.  To name a few, Thailand is one of the world’s leading producers of cassava and sugar cane with production of 30 and 80 million tons in 2009, respectively.  Not only do we have an abundant and reliable supply of raw materials to feed into the upstream production, but we also have over 3,000 well-established manufacturers to provide a solid base for the downstream production.

 

                In order to ensure sufficient supply of biomass feedstock, proper management of biomaterial provisions as well as support on R&D concerning enhancement of crop variety, cultivation, and harvest process are needed. 

 

[Second strategy: R&D and technology development]

                This leads directly to the second strategy under our National Roadmap – R&D and technology development. And in this regard, the Ministry of Science and Technology takes a leading role.

                Ladies and gentlemen, in addition to our capabilities in raw materials, Thailand also has a strong research base for developing new technology in bioplastics, and a dynamic network of researchers and experts working in the entire cycle of this emerging field.  Through the NIA and MTEC, the National Metal and Materials Technology Center, we have continued to support R&D in bioplastics. For example, the “Research and Innovation Helix Programme” is a research funding scheme, that we collaborate with the National Research Council of Thailand, or NRCT. It is directed to support fundamental research on innovative bioplastics products. To date, 40 projects were supported.

                From 2009, 30 more research projects have been approved through another special funding scheme managed by Kasertsart University. This special program focuses on R&D projects related to the real needs of the bioplastics industry. 

There are now over 100 researchers actively working on R&D with focuses on 

                - fermentation technology

                - purification technology 

                - compounding technology

                - polymerization technology

                - degradability testing & Compostable Waste

                - and the improvement of plant breeding, the enhancement of crop productivity.

Needless to say, we have numerous universities and research institutions as our counterparts on R&D.

                I am pleased to share with you that a number of these projects have achieved excellent results, such as the project on optimization of lactic acid fermentation from local raw materials using a highly effective bacterial strain.  This may bring about the high technology for the production of polylactic acid or PLA in Thailand.

 

[Third strategy: building up the industry and innovative business]

                With a reliable supply of raw materials and a strong R&D base already in place, we now strive to encourage an investment in bioplastics industry from the upstream, midstream, right to the downstream stages. In this regard, the NIA plays a vital role in fostering innovation, linking up public-private cooperation between groups of entrepreneurs and enterprises as well as supporting other necessary activities.

                The establishment of the Thai Bioplastics Industry Associate, or TBIA, is another crucial achievement that has been put in place to help strengthening this industry. In collaboration with the TBIA, we have supported local companies in more than 20 innovation projects. These projects are directed to facilitate learning in the manufacture of bioplastics.

 

 

[Forth strategy: supportive infrastructure]

                So as to foster and ensure continuous and sustainable development of this bioplastics industry, a number of supportive infrastructures must be provided. These include the establishment of bioplastic standards, as well as the setting up of laboratory for testing and certifying bioplastics products. 

                - In terms of biodegradability standards, the draft was prepared by various competent agencies such as NIA, TBIA, PPC and MTEC. They are, however, to be finalized by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, or TISI. 

                - As far as testing facilities are concerned, the establishment of laboratories for testing and certifying bioplastic products were put in place by MTEC and TISTR, or the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, in cooperation with GTZ and TBIA.

 

                Ladies and gentlemen, we can have all the best researchers, the best technologies, and the best support from all players, or even the best bioplastics; but if the positive consumer attitude towards bioplastics and, as a result, their usage are not promoted in the society, then all that I just mentioned would merely mean nothing. 

It is therefore equally necessary to make sure that public awareness towards bioplastics usage and its environmental benefits is raised. 

                In this regard, we have initiated and successfully carried out several pilot projects. For example, we recently launched a pilot project in which bioplastics bags are used to collect household organic waste that can then be converted to organic fertilizer.  During the initial stage, we targeted tourist destination areas, such as Kra-dung-nga district and Samet Island, where there is an urgent need to reduce the plastic waste buildup in the area.  

                Another good example is the potential application of bioplastics as planting bags which would be compostable within one year. This initiative was introduced just last month with the cooperation from the Forest Department and eight local companies which are our key partners in this project.  

                Last but not least, we cannot leave out the various forms of incentives to create an investment-friendly atmosphere, including tax incentives program offered by our Board of Investment, featuring corporate income tax exemption up to 8 years and an additional 50% reduction of corporate income tax for 5 years.  

 

[Conclusion]

Ladies and gentlemen,

                In order to become a global player and a regional hub, we do recognize the need to forge an alliance. This is why we have taken steps forward to generate international awareness of our favorable policy for businesses which are based on renewable resources.  In light of all these advantages and supportive infrastructure that have been mentioned, I am confident that overseas investors would find Thailand as one of the most attractive places for bioplastics investment. 

                What we are now seeking is an investment in a bioplastics resin production plant in Thailand, which would be the first on a commercial scale in Asia. I, therefore, propose this last question to you all, whether you would agree to partner with Thailand in our exciting journey ahead.

 

Thank you very much and Sawasdee krub.