Market Research Industry
Industry pushes for research subsidies
Wednesday, 31, March 2010
To help the bioplastics industry grow in line with global trends, the government should provide incentives for technology research ventures as expensive imported technology is the main barrier to development, say industry executives.Thailand, with its abundant raw materials, remains highly competitive in the sector and has an opportunity to play a part in an industry that is growing by 20-35% per year.
However, the high price of bioplastic production technology results in expensive products and this hampers demand growth, according to the National Innovation Agency (NIA).NIA director Supachai Lorlowhakarn said in a seminar on green innovation that to lower the price of bioplastics, currently twice as high as conventional petroleum-based plastics, there need to be subsidies for technology research to replace expensive imported techniques.