Improvement of the competitiveness of bio-based products to support the BCG model

           Thailand’s bio-based products have considerable disadvantages when compared with conventional products because of low agricultural productivity (raw materials account for more than half of the total production cost) and inefficient management throughout the production process. As a result, the cost of Thai bio-based products is higher than that of competitors. “Improvement of the competitiveness of bio-based products” is therefore necessary for the development of energy, materials, and biochemicals to be in accordance with the plans to drive the Thai economy under the BCG economic model. The improvement process has the following aims:

-  Encourage the use of innovation to improve production in the agricultural sector, such as breeding using modern technology, the use of regulatory and control mechanisms to reduce costs, the promulgation of the Biodiversity Act, and regulation of systematic utilization of genetically modified organisms;

-  Amend the city planning law to promote the establishment of renewable energy factories in the community, resulting in income generation and energy security;

-  Accelerate the classification of biochemical plants from chemical plants to encourage the establishment of new factories, especially in the areas where raw materials are produced;

-  Optimize of technology for sugar and starch plant raw materials and raw materials in the form of biomass waste, such as palm bunches and cassava residue, by using technology and innovation such as enzymes and microorganisms to increase efficiency and reduce costs;

-  Optimize solar PV technology to increase the solar energy conversion efficiency;

-  Promote the development of ethanol and biogas into electricity;

-  Promote the further development of biodiesel into oleochemicals;

-  Promote the development of standards and guidelines for the production of materials and biochemical products;

-  Promote the use of Smart Grid to support the creation of renewable energy markets.