At A Glance

PTT Global Chemical PCL (PTTGC) and Thai Union Group PCL (TU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a research and development partnership. The partnership will focus on the development of innovative and environmentally friendly bio-based and petroleum-based materials and packaging for the food industry. 
The development of innovative new packaging materials enhances food safety and packaging durability while also minimising waste and costs, including production and raw material costs. 
Supattanapong Punmeechaow, president & CEO of PTT Global Chemical PCL, said the company aims to improve the efficiency of polymers to meet customer requirements more effectively in alignment with the R&D partnership on packaging and packaging materials with Thai Union.
The partnership is a natural extension of work the two companies have already collaborated on, including an anti-bacterial plastic film used in aqua-cultural to minimise growth of unwanted bacteria, keeping shrimp farms healthy and disease-free. In addition, the companies developed a new packaging material with higher levels of durability and product safety while reducing raw materials by 30 percent. 
Apart from the R&D partnership on packaging and materials, the two companies will connect PTTGC’s Innovation Centre and Thai Union’s Global Innovation Incubator (Gii) to work together on technology and innovation development, in line with the government’s Thailand 4.0 policy.

Toshiba unit wins award for renewable energy strategy

Toshiba Plant Systems and Services Corporation yesterday announced that its paper on Packaged Micro Hydro Generating Unit was selected as a highly commended paper in the renewable energy strategy category and was presented the silver award at the Best Paper Awards 2017 held by PennWell Corporation at Power Gen Asia 2017 in Thailand.
Packaged Micro Hydro Generating Unit incorporates a micro-hydraulic power generator (1 to 25 kW) and a control panel inside a container measuring 2.6 m by 2.4 m by 3.7 m. TPSC will ship containers after completion of testing, so that customers can generate electricity by installing containers and in-taking water. TPSC has delivered micro hydraulic power generation equipment to more than 80 places, and the newly developed Packaged Micro Hydro Generating Unit can greatly shorten construction periods compared to conventional products.
This award was due to the high evaluation of TPSC’s technological capabilities and environmentally friendly efforts. TPSC will continue to actively focus on the renewable energy field and on business activities which reduce environmental impact. The field test of Packaged Micro Hydro Generating has already been completed, and sales will start from fiscal year 2018 in Japan and overseas.
TPSC exhibited at Power Gen Asia in Bangkok, during which there were more than 1,000 visitors to TPSC's booth.

Prudential names Chowla as Thailand chief

Prudential Life Assurance (Thailand) Public Co Ltd (PLT) has appointed Aman Chowla as chief executive officer.
Aman joined Prudential in 2011 and brings with him over 20 years of experience in financial services. He has worked in several markets across Asia including India, Singapore, Malaysia and now Thailand.
Having held functional general management and transformation roles in his career, his last role was as the chief executive officer of Prudential BSN Takaful in Malaysia.
“Thailand is a key market for Prudential in Asia. I am truly excited with the opportunities for growth, but more importantly to do our bit to bridge the protection gap and increase insurance penetration rates,” Chowla said.