Development of technological innovation capabilities in energy, materials, and biochemicals to support the BCG model

           To drive Thailand’s economy using the BCG economic model in the energy, materials, and biochemical sector, the acceleration of the development of technological innovation capabilities is necessary. This is because bio-based industries are technology-intensive industries, but Thailand’s readiness for technology and innovation is still at the laboratory level (TRL 3-4). Strategies must therefore be formulated to accelerate technological innovation capabilities in the form of acquisition, co-research, and self-build by relying on the following favorable ecosystems:

-  Establishing a technology localization fund for domestic entrepreneurs, especially SMEs;

-  Promoting research, development, and technology transfer to production (supply chain) in a spearhead manner, as well as improving the multi-year budgeting process as a block grant and streamlining disbursement;

-  Having financial support for pilot plant utilization to close the innovation gaps and accelerate commercialization;

-  Investing in the national quality infrastructure (NQI) to standardize and test the standards for biomaterials and biochemical products developed in Thailand;

-  Promoting personnel development in areas with shortages of personnel, such as bioprocess engineering.