On 5 October 2021 Dr. Anek Loathammatat, Adjunct Professor, Minister of Higher Education and Science and Innovation presided over the Award Presentation Ceremony of the National Innovation Agency. In this occasion, Dr. Thidarat Nimchua, the Leader of Enzyme Technology Research Team of BIOTEC received the Winner Award of the National Innovation Award 2021 from the work on ENZease smart enzyme for environmental-friendly textile manufacturing process in a category of Environmental and Social Impact from a Government Agency.
Textile manufacturing process requires excessive toxic chemical and energy consumption that cause severe environmental degradation. Development of innovative green technologies for textile manufacturing which reduces energy consumption and toxic chemical usage such as enzyme technology are in demand.
Dr. Thidarat Nimchua and the team sought to address the issue by looking into the application of enzyme in developing a more eco-friendly textile processing system. ‘ENZease’ integrated several technologies in the development, ranging from the screening of high-performance microorganisms to fermentation technology, downstream processing technology, and enzyme formulation technology. The innovative enzyme enables a one-step biodesizing and bioscouring process of cotton fabrics which normally are two separate steps due to different optimal operating conditions of chemicals used in each step. This enzyme is able to lower chemical and resource consumption by 50%, minimize step in the process and shorten treatment time, resulting in the significant reduction of operational cost
The ENZease could elevate the Thai textile sector both industrial and community-scale. It also creates opportunities for new product development. EnZease was co-developed by researchers of the Enzyme Technology Research Team, Biorefinery and Bioproduct Technology Research Group and the Industrial Bioprocess Technology Research Team, Functional Ingredients and Food Innovation Research Group from the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and the Textile Research Team of the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) in partnership with Thanapaisal, a local textile company. The technology has been transferred to Asia Star Trade Co., Ltd (AST) for commercial-scale production of ENZease. The enzyme product has been delivered to targeted customers including textile companies and community enterprise to be used in their textile preparation processes.
What is the National Innovation Awards?
Initiated in 2004 by the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), the National Innovation Awards aims to honor local innovators whose innovation contributes to the enhancement of national economy and society as a whole. There are five categories of Awards; 1. Economic impact 2. Social and environmental impact 3. Product design and service 4. Media and Communications and 5. Innovative organization. The Awards Presentation Ceremony was held annually on October 5 which is the National Innovation Day.