OIE Pushes Thailand To Become Leading Bioplastic Producer In ASEAN

BANGKOK, April 14 (TNA) - The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) is pushing Thailand to become a leading bioplastic producer in ASEAN as global demands for bioplastics are soaring. OIE director-general Somchai Harnhirun said the demands are quickly increasing due to environmental concerns and bioeconomy policies in leading countries. He sees opportunities for Thailand as its plastic industry is the best in Southeast Asia and therefore the country is ready to develop its bioplastic industry. Mr Somchai said the bioplastic industry is new in Thailand and there are 31 bioplastic producers in the country. Most bioplastic products are in the packaging sector and include plastic bags made for export mainly to the European Union and the United States. The European Bioplastics association predicts that global bioplastic production will rocket to 6.2 million tonnes in 2017 from 1.4 million tonnes in 2012. The number of local bioplastic producers is small compared with that of 2,378 plastic manufacturers in the country. The Office of Industrial Economics is implementing projects to improve the plastic industry including the development of bioplastic production to support its growth in the future. (TNA)