The Thai Bioplastics Industry Association and Italy's Assobioplastische signed a memorandum of understanding Wednesday to collaborate on bioplastic development over the next five years, a TBIA official said Friday.
Under the agreement, the two associations will work to set up certification systems and quality standards for the bioplastics industry, Assobioplastische said in a statement.
They will also coordinate and implement joint initiatives for research, market development and environmental polices, and share expertise in the areas of industrial composting and waste management.
TBIA is an industrial group set up in 2007 to push for bioplastics development in Thailand, while Assobioplastische was established in 2011 by a group of companies, distributors and the Italian Consortium of Composters.
The Thai government is promoting the production of ethanol from cassava as a way to support its farmers and reduce the country's dependence on imports for its energy and fuel needs. Ethanol can also be used as feedstock in the production of plastics.
