April 7 – Thai Industry Minister Mr. Akanat Promphan has announced that Thailand is accelerating the localization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, with a focus on using Used Cooking Oil (UCO) as the primary feedstock. To this end, the Department of Industrial Promotion (DIPROM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangchak Corporation and five leading companies including Central Group, Charoen Pokphand Foods, and others, to build an efficient UCO supply chain. The initiative supports Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic policy and aims to help the country achieve carbon neutrality.
Dr. Nattapol Rangsitpol, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, stated that the goal is to establish a full value chain collaboration covering feedstock, production, and market deployment. Ms. Natthinya Netyasupha, Director General of DIPROM, added that the initial phase will focus on building UCO collection mechanisms in the industrial and service sectors, while exploring alternatives like palm oil and sugarcane by-products.
Bangchak CEO Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach revealed that the company is already producing one million liters of 100% pure SAF daily under ISCC certification. He called on the government to issue clear mandates on SAF blending ratios and introduce incentive policies to support the development of a sustainable SAF ecosystem.
