Nantakan Muensit, a lecturer in the science faculty at Prince of Songkhla University, had examined research reports into nano technology and, after teaming up with friends, began applying the technology to produce an improved cup that the farmers can use when they collect latex from their rubber trees.

The company that Nantakan and her partners established for the venture is now pulling in average monthly sales of Bt200,000.

“I would see many research papers that are submitted to the university and I started to think about what techniques would be required to bring one such innovation to commercial development,” Nantakan, 55, said in an interview with The Nation recently. “This would also support the government’s policy to drive forward the country’s economic growth by the use of technology under the Thailand 4.0 campaign.

“This inspired me and my friends to select the research work of Dr Chalongrat Dangham as the basis for the development of my product that went on sale last year.”

The research paper by Chalongrat dealt with how to produce a chemical for surface coatings with the use of nano technology.

Nantakan said that, based on Chalongrat’s research, she and her friends developed a coating made from nano technology for the cup that is used by farmers to collect the latex. The coating reduces the layers of dried-up latex that would stick to the surface of the traditional collection cups

The farmers typically use cups made of ordinary plastic or even coconut shells to collect the latex. But, after several uses, the layers of dried latex grow thicker and this reduces the volume for the latex collected from the trees. This means that farmers, using the traditional methods, have to change the cups frequently.

But not any longer. With the cup devised by Nantakan and her team, the coating produced from a chemical process under nano technology is applied to a plastic cup. The coating achieves a lotus-like effect.

This description refers to the self-cleaning properties that are a result of ultra-hydrophobicity as exhibited by the leaves of the nelumbo, or lotus flower.

Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to the micro- and nanoscopic architecture on the surface, which minimises the droplet’s adhesion to that surface.

When farmers use the cup, which Nantakan markets as Wonnatech Latex Cup, they succeed in collecting all the latex from the rubber trees, as some of the substance is no longer lost to production when it sticks to the old cups, she said. With the improved efficiency, the farmers can generate more income from the same plantation size, Nantakan said.

Nantakan and her friends established Wonnatech Co Ltd, with registered capital of Bt1.5 million, in 2014. But it took more than two years for them to develop the Wonnatech Latex Cup before bringing it to the market in 2016.

The market launch proved difficult, as the pricing of about Bt6 per cup made it more expensive than the cups that the rubber farmers were used to.

Compounding this problem, latex prices dropped in 2016, making it even harder to persuade farmers to make the switch to the Wonnatex Latex Cup, Nantakan said.

However, she and her friends persevered and continued their development on the product, finding ways to reduce the production cost and lower the price hurdle for farmers.

In 2017, Nantakan and her partners opened a production plant at Rubber City Industry Estate in Hat Yai district of Songkhla province. The plant gained the support of the government with a low leasing price, and the company secured a Bt3 million loan from the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand.

With this support, the company was able to halve the price of the cup, to an average of Bt3 paid by the farmers.

With the cheaper unit price, the company began enjoying sales of about Bt200,000 a month to farmers in the South. The company is negotiating with an importer from Sri Lanka for sales of the cup to that country.

“We expect to begin exports this year when our new machine to increase production is fully set up in the middle of this year,” Nantakan said.

She said the company also will offer its nano-coating technology for use with others products that can benefit from the improved surface.

Once the new machine is fully set up in the middle of this year, the company expects sales to increase to up to Bt500,000 a month. Nantakan said she takes pride in knowing that the Wonnatech Latex Cup is helping rubber farmers to boost their output and provide higher income over the long term.

“The management team has a clear objective to move the business in the right direction in step with the social development of Thailand,” managing director Chatchai Pokogwai said.

With a professional team on board, the NBC will be able to achieve this goal and guarantee quality reporting for our audiences, he said.

NBC runs Nation TV Channel 22, which is Thailand’s first 24-hour news station. The station’s broadcasting now goes out as fully digitalised.

For the anniversary, a celebration ceremony with merit making was held yesterday. Attending the event were senior executives led by Nation Multimedia Group chief executive officer Somchai Meesen and business figures from a range of sectors.

Banpu Infinergy Company Limited, a one-stop service provider of total solar energy solutions and a subsidiary of Banpu Public Company Limited, the leading integrated energy company in Asia-Pacific, will showcase its solar energy innovations at the Asean Sustainable Energy Week 2018 from 6-9 June at the BITEC Bangna Exhibition Centre .

Visitors to the Banpu Infinergy booth will have the opportunity to understand and experience the inner workings of solar energy innovations through virtual reality technology. Through interactive touch screens and visually appealing graphics, the interactive floor zone at the Banpu Infinergy booth is designed to encourage visitors to learn more about the key elements of the Smart Community concept and the ways in which the adoption of technology can efficiently help manage energy use.

Somruedee Chaimongkol, chief executive officer of Banpu Plc and director of Banpu Infinergy Co Ltd said: “We are delighted to join the Asean Sustainable Energy Week 2018 to drive Thailand’s development towards the Smart Community vision. Under Banpu Group’s Greener and Smarter strategy, we are also committed to helping the country and the Asia-Pacific region’s transition to a future of energy sustainability through our energy solutions that are affordable, reliable and eco-friendly.

Visitors to the Banpu Infinergy booth will see the potential of the Banpu Infinergy team, our expertise in solar energy innovations and our strength in providing a customer-centric One Stop Service.”

In addition to showcasing technologies and smart electric vehicle energy solutions, Banpu infinergy will be offering a variety of one-stop solar energy service packages such as the Signature Infinergy Package, the Smart Infinergy Package and the Simple Infinergy Package, all catering to customer needs across different industries.

Rooftop solar power system for Chiang Mai University

BCPG Public Company Limited has been selected to install 12- MW rooftop solar power system for Chiang Mai University to help with energy conservation and promote the use of renewable energy by selling electricity to the university for a period of 20 years.

Bundit Sapianchai, president and CEO, BCPG Plc, said that the company has been selected by Chiang Mai University (CMU) to install 12-MW rooftop solar power system in Suan Sak, Suan Dok and Mae Hia areas to sell electricity to the university for 20 years. The company will also install a smart distribution network that connects and communicates with the University’s Smart Campus Management Center through CMU’s existing information technology system.

BCPG will jointly develop Chiang Mai University towards becoming a smart and clean campus under the University’s Master Plan for Energy and the Environment. The company plans to use peer-to-peer trading platform using blockchain technology developed by Power Ledger, BCPG’s partner in digital energy, to study consumers’ energy consumption behaviour.

It will also install an EV charging station to study the usage behavior of electric cars in the university. The information from both projects will be used to support the development of CMU’s smart campus program.

Certification for aquaculture feed meal production

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) has obtained FAMI-QS certification to assure the premix additives use in its aquaculture feed meal production are safe and traceability.

The certification reflects the company’s commitment to deliver high quality and safety food products adhering with global standards for consumers worldwide.

It also shows strong intention of responsibility through the best inspection food safety deepening in every raw material and manufacturing.

Sumeth Hutinthawong, commercial manager of Bureau Veritas (Thailand) Ltd, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification organisation, said CPF’s receipt of FAMI-QS reflects the company’s leadership on food quality and safety based on European animal feed regulations, which uses traceability and legality of feed additive as standard. The certification was granted to the company’s Premix Division for aquaculture feed.

“This standard helps reinforce consumers’ confidence in CPF and its suppliers on responsibly food production in terms of product quality assurance throughout the supply chain. This achievement is one of the key progress of CPF’s sustainable food production,” said Sumeth.

Established in November 1989, the company manufactures consumer and cosmetics products under the following brands: Eversense, Genie, Tros, BeNice, Fineline, D-nee, Vivite, Smart and Tomi.

Sirisupa Ajsonjorn, marketing manager of Neo Corporate Co Ltd, revealed the company’s aggressive marketing plan for the new BeNice shower cream with a Bt300 million marketing budget – the highest since the introduction of BeNice brand. The company’s goal is to increase sales this year by 18 per cent and to achieve Bt1 billion revenue in 2020.

At present, BeNice ranks the No 3 in the Bt4.8-billion shower cream market, with a 14 per cent share. The brand achieves a 13 per cent growth annually.

The marketing plan will kick off with the launch of “BeNice Mystic White”. With the unique quality to keep skin firm and smooth, “Mystic White’ targets a new consumer segments, particularly women aged 22-35 years who value self-pampering.

“BeNice plans to continuously launch innovative products to extend our reach and set new trends to excite the market. This includes the limited edition of “Bingsu” which has received good feedback, thanks to the brand’s innovation for body cleansing. Our products are unique in terms of skin firmness as they are rich in wheat protein and micro collagen including fruit essences that yield natural fruit-based vitamins and are high in antioxidants. Our products with BeNice’s secret formula nurture and give radiance to the skin.”

Applying fruity perfumes in all BeNice products produce a distinctive characteristics. The perfumes differentiate BeNice from other competitors and grasp attention across all gender and age groups. BeNice green radiant skin formula has become an “Asian benchmark” for other brands in the Asian market.

Notably, “Mystic White” is created in cooperation with a major perfume company in New York. A world-class perfume, originated primarily from magnolias and infused with BeNice’s unique fruity essences to create a perfect blend.

BeNice has prepared 500,000 “Mystic White” samples for nationwide distribution. The commercial was released via online and offline channels in early May to reach all Thai consumers. The advertisment on YouTube is expected to draw 15 million views. This year BeNice aims to create a new shower experience by integrating Halo-gram technology to add more dimension to the commercial, together with a signature music and skin-firming dancing steps.

As a follow-up, “BeNice Effect Challenge” will be officially launched on June 1. The event presents a stage for the merging of dancing exercise with dancing for skin firmness. People can share the challenge with their friends to create the “BeNice Effect” on an online platform accessible to all.

The liquid beauty shower cream segment has shown an average annual growth rate of 3-4 per cent. This year’s growth rate is targeted at 5 per cent amid intense competition, prompting all players to continually launch new products. The aggressive marketing plan throughout this year is exected to help boost its market share by at least 4 per cent and help the company hits the Bt1 billion revenue target within three years.

Neo Corporate has high confidence that BeNice can beat other players thanks to its swift adaptability to market challenges, and continuous launch of innovative limited edition such as like “Bingsu, ” which has become an online hit, as proven by the frequent shares in social media as well as positive relationship with the main traditional trade channels.

BeNice now leads sales in the super market, hypermarket and other modern retail channels, with a 24 per cent market share and growing as high as 44 per cent a year . BeNice’s green radiant skin formula ranks No 1 in the channel.

BeNice products have enjoyed positive feedback in neighboring countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia, showing a 14 per cent export growth last year.

The deal had been delayed while Chinese regulators examined whether it could violate anti-trust laws, but they finally granted approval in mid-May.

“Toshiba hereby gives notice that the closing of the sale has been completed today as scheduled,” the group said in a statement.

It added that the deal was worth about 2.3 trillion yen ($21 billion).

The business was sold to K.K. Pangea, a special-purpose company controlled by a consortium led by US investor Bain Capital.

The Bain-led group includes US tech giants Apple and Dell, as well as South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix.

Toshiba said it was reinvesting a total of 350.5 billion yen in Pangea, acquiring a 40.2 percent stake.

The sale and reinvestment will give Toshiba a pre-tax profit of 970 billion yen, though the bump was already built into forecasts it announced last month.

Toshiba agreed in September to sell its memory chip business in a bid to stay afloat after multi-billion-dollar losses.

It struggled after the disastrous acquisition of US nuclear energy firm Westinghouse, which racked up billions of dollars in losses before being placed under bankruptcy protection.

In order to survive and avoid delisting, the cash-strapped group decided to sell the chip business — the crown jewel in a vast range of businesses ranging from home appliances to nuclear reactors.

Toshiba said last month it had bounced back into the black, avoiding a humiliating delisting from the Tokyo stock exchange.

The firm booked a record net profit of 804 billion yen for the year ending March 31, compared with a loss of 965.7 billion yen a year earlier.

That marks the first net profit for the firm in four years, and was helped by one-off revenue from tax cuts linked to the sale of its nuclear units.

Allianz Ayudhya Assurance has announced its partnership with Bangkok Hospital Group (BDMS), the largest private hospital network in Thailand and Cambodia. Allianz Ayudhya said its “My First Class @BDMS” package offered an exclusive medical service to the customer.

The plan covers all medical treatment, including check-ups, vaccination, dental care, maternity and vision up to Bt100 million per year.

Bryan Smith, CEO of Allianz Ayudhya Assurance PCL, said: “As the leader in life and health insurance products, Allianz Ayudhya continues to develop solutions that meet the needs of the consumers. Especially in the light of critical illness or even more complex diseases evolving in our world, quality medical treatment is required in order to help a patient get through this difficult moment. “Allianz Ayudhya would like to take a more proactive role in offering a health protection in a holistic approach, from preemptive, to treatment and follow-up. And to achieve that, we need a partner that shares the same vision in delivering the best health care treatment and services. And it’s our great pleasure to have BDMS as our partner – the perfect combination.”

Dr Poramaporn Prasarttong-Osoth, the CEO of BDMS, said a commitment to excellence has earned the group a reputation as one of the most prestigious hospital networks in the Asia-Pacific region. As a consequence it won certification by non-profit patient safety organisation Joint Commission International (JCI) and professional affiliation with international medical institutions and medical schools such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Cedars-Senai Neurosurgery and the Hannover Medical School, Poramaporn said.

BDMS has six major sites: Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej Hospital, BNH Hospital, Phyathai Hospital, Paola Hospital and the Royal Hospital, making it the largest medical group in the country.

THE MALL OFFERS MID-YEAR DISCOUNTS

The Mall Group, including the Emporium, EmQuartier and Paragon department stores, has launched its Get Lucky Mid-Year Sale”, running until July 25. The firm said the campaign offered 80-per-cent discounts in every branch, and over 1 million items, to support the economy through the “Thailand Shopping and Dining Paradise 2018” project, from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The aim is to increase sales by 30 per cent and predicts a 20-per-cent increase of traffic to the department store and shopping centres, the firm said.

Voralak Tulaphorn, chief marketing officer at the Mall, said: “The overall picture of the customer’s spending power in the first five months has substantial growth due to the continuous large campaigns and marketing activities.

“In addition, the strong incentive from the government to support the economy is a good sign for continuous growth for the retail industry. The Mall Group has an increase of over 30 per cent for its tourist customer base, especially Chinese, Cambodian, Laotian, Burmese and Vietnamese tourists.

“We will use technology to assist in services and offer specific promotions that are timely and customised, such as the M Card and Stamp application which helps you collect points with the restaurants in the shopping centre.”

ROBINSON, CENTRAL JOIN FORCES

Robinson and Central Group are jointly hosting a mid-year campaign, “The Greatest Grand Sale ”, with the best offers from 1 June – 8 July 2018 at 46 Robinson Department Stores nationwide.

Anawat Sangkhasap, senior vice president /customer strategy, Robinson Public Company Limited, said: “Robinson will create a stimulating shopping atmosphere for all shoppers to spend more, after the satisfactory business results of Robinson and the retail industryin the first quarter. One of the positive contributing factors is the gradual economic recovery that increased shoppers’ purchasing power and overall spending, compared to the same period of last year.

Exclusive offers are available for Robinson customers during the campaign. Quality products throughout the stores are included in this promotion with up to 80 per cent discount.

Special offers include: Redeem The 1Card points in the same amount of the total receipt to enjoy an additional discount of 12.5 per cent, win a chance to become the owner of the New Toyota Yaris Ative, worth more than Bt600,000.