PTT-Toyota 15 Years Anniversary of Collaborative Research Moving towards clean energy
PTT-Toyota 15 Years Anniversary of Collaborative Research “Moving towards clean energy for Thailand’s Sustainability” From “Biodiesel-Gasohol-CNG” towards “Electric and Hydrogen” vehicles
Mr. Wittawat Svasti-xuto, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer, PTT Public Company Limited, Mr.Ninnart Chaithirapinyo, Chairman of the Board of Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. and Mr. Yukio Yoshida, Vice President of Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the executives and PTT employees, together with Toyota Group including Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan, Toyota Motor of Thailand, and Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing join the celebration of “PTT-Toyota 15th Anniversary of Collaborative Research – Moving towards clean energy for Thailand’s Sustainability” between PTT Innovation Institute and Toyota Group. The alliances have worked in the field of research and development to define and develop the appropriate fuel for Thailand, in order to give more options for consumers, increase the value of domestic economy, support the government’s energy policy, and conserve the environment and quality of Thai people’s lives.
Mr. Wittawat Svasti-xuto, Chief Technology and Engineering Officer, PTT Public Company Limited, revealed that “PTT Innovation Institute and Toyota Group have been in this alliance for 15 years, started in December 2004, with “the research of Black Soap (Jatropha Curcas seed) under the Royal Project of Phra Bat Somdet Phra Boromchanakathibet Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej Maharaj Borommanatbophit or King Rama IX in order to develop biodiesel in Thailand. PTT and Toyota carry on his majesty’s intention by cooperating in the study and the development of energy technology, which results in more options for Thai people when selecting alternative energy that comes from domestic production and reduces the import of foreign oil. Fortunately, Thailand has several options in using alternative energy. For instance, gasohol which produced from sugarcane molasses and cassava, biodiesel from palm oil, and natural gas (CNG) from the Gulf of Thailand. In addition, having the Toyota Group as our partner, it enables us to study the effects of these biofuels on engines. The examples of the project’s achievements are the study of using 10% of biodiesel that led to the commercial distribution in the present day. Furthermore, it becomes the pathway of the fuel development for Thai people to use clean energy and helps farmers be able to sell products at a higher price, which aligns with PTT’s policy on sustainable development by balancing the 3P
Strategy: development of human resource (People), conservation of natural resources and environment (Planet) and sustainable business (Prosperity).”
Mr.Ninnart Chaithirapinyo, Chairman of the Board of Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd., stated that “In recent years, oil prices have surged and still on the high side Thailand has to rely on large quantity of fuel imported from other countries.
On the other hand, Thailand is an agricultural country, blessed with plenty of raw materials that can be processed and used as alternative fuel. Hence, the development and adaptation of alternative energy are promoted and supported by the government.
Toyota has always been one of the most responsible vehicle production facilities in Thailand and we will continue doing so by agreeing to develop our vehicles in accordance to the government policies.
The Thai society and innovation in automotive industry have been priorities for Toyota. Therefore, we work so hard to address the needs of customers and government policies on energy saving, environmental protection which would bring benefits not only to our customers but also to those who use alternative energy in general. Toyota intends to participate in the research and development project with PTT and will sponsor the project financially as well as supplying vehicles and vehicle parts. With this collaboration, Toyota believes that we will be able to contribute to the society for a planet of plenty.”
Mr. Yukio Yoshida, Vice President of Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd. revealed that “Thailand is endowed with abundant biomass which could be converted into fuels. Under such circumstances, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great was also encouraging to develop and use biofuel for Thai people in order to make energy sustainability. Therefore, TDEM as well follows His Majesty’s idea by developing vehicle to be compatible with biofuels.
As a long 15 years R&D collaboration, several important projects have been done, for example, Biodiesel like Jatropha, Bio-hydrogenated Diesel, Algae or Ethanol like Cellulosic ethanol from rice straw and sugarcane leave and so on.
More importantly many projects become commercial products, such as Toyota IMV; Hilux, Fortuner and Hiace, Commuter and Majesty can use B20 without any condition nor concern Likewise, Toyota Corolla Altis NGV can use wider range of Thai natural gas quality. Along with our collaboration, we have contributed not only Human Resources Development but also technology transfer to Thai people and accelerate Thai economic.
Mr. Wittawat stated at the end that over 20 years in the operation of PTT Innovation Institute, we specialize in the development of automotive fuels; meanwhile, the Toyota Group is the leader of automobile technology. For the past 15 years, the two partners have demonstrated the study results to the government sector to be the pathway in regulating the country’s energy policy on “Biodiesel-Gasohol-CNG”. With this success, Thailand has widely known as a leader on biofuels in the region. Today, we are ready to move forward to cleaner energy technology and the new era of “electric and hydrogen vehicles.”
