Dr. Thidarat Nimchua, Researcher of BIOTEC-NSTDA, has been selected for the 2018 Young Technologist Award by the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King. She is recognized for ENZease, an intelligent enzyme for eco-friendly textile production process. This work is a result of collaboration between BIOTEC, MTEC and Thanapaisal textile factory.
Photo credit: BIOTEC website
This invention 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 consumption, minimize step in the process and shorten treatment time, resulting in the significant reduction of operational cost.
ENZease technology has been licensed to Asia Star Trade for commercial production with Phisit Intergroup Company Limited as the distributor in Thailand and neighboring countries. The technology has also been transferred to a community enterprise and villagers producing traditionally-dyed fabric. This intelligent enzyme has great potential in opening up a new market for eco-textile products.
Every year, the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King announces the winners of Outstanding Technologist and Young Technologist Awards. This year, the Outstanding Technologist Award is presented to a research team consisting of Mr. Suwat Ratiwatcharakorn, Mr. Tanabodee Duangsoithong and Mr. Thitiwat Viwatvisawakorn from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) for their achievement in developing a fully redundancy Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR).