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INDUSTRY
VICHAYA PITSUWAN
The cabinet yesterday approved a budget of 1.8 billion baht for a five-year development roadmap for the bioplastic industry.
The 2009-2014 plan will spend one billion baht to purchase bioplastic technology from overseas and on research and development. Another 475 million baht will be invested in building the bioplastic business.
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) will manage the budget allocated for the improvements, said Supachai Lorlowhakarn, the NIA's director.
The funds will be allocated yearly according to the expenditures planned by the government in each fiscal year.
According to the road map, the first projects will start this year by tapping the remaining budget allocated by the government for fiscal 2008.
''Our plastic industry is already competitive and is well recognised in the region. The road map will strengthen its competitiveness even further and in line with the global trend which is focusing on environmentally friendly technology,'' Dr Supachai said.
Currently, bioplastics have a market share of only 1% to the world's total plastic consumption, which stands at 200 million tonnes or 80 to 100 kilo grammes per person per year.
Plastic demand is growing by 5% a year while demand for bioplastics is expected to increase 30% annually thanks to growing market awareness of the problems of global warming and the need to boost environment protection.
He said the development of the bioplastic industry would add huge value to tapioca, of which Thailand is the world's third largest producer.
Only 30% of the plastic made from petrochemicals can be recycled while tapioca-made products are bio-degradable. In Thailand, over 2.2 million tonnes of plastic ends up in landfills yearly, raising the management cost which has become a main concern across the world, Dr Supachai said.
''Tapioca is commonly used for food and in ethanol production and the industry is valued at only 61 billion baht. If the produce is used to make bioplastic, its value would increase to 144.18 billion baht,'' said Dr Supachai.
Under the bioplastic development plan, the Agricultural Ministry will receive 100 million baht to improve tapioca yields to support the industry.
In addition, a total of 225 million baht will be allocated to set up a bioplastic standard governing body to ensure that the local bioplastic industry meets international standards.
Dr Supachai said at least five bioplastic manufacturers will be seen in the next five years as the private sector was very keen to invest in the new industry.
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