Thantawan Industry Partners with Silpakorn University to Power Research in Sustainable Packaging Materials

Thantawan Industry Public Company Limited (THIP), a global manufacturer and distributor of comprehensive packaging solutions, has taken a concrete step toward advancing its sustainability and Circular Economy initiatives by forging an academic and innovation partnership with Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology.

As part of the collaboration, THIP donated 2,000 kilograms of compostable plastic resin, valued at THB 194,470, to be used as real-world raw material for hands-on instruction, laboratory experimentation, and research into eco-friendly packaging solutions.

The handover ceremony took place at Silpakorn University in Nakhon Pathom. Alisa Onura, THIP’s Manager of Innovative Research and Development, represented the company in presenting the materials to Asst. Prof. Dr. Narit Triamnak, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, alongside Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supakij Suttiruengwong.

Mr. Surasak Luangaramsri, Chief Executive Officer of Thantawan Industry Public Company Limited, emphasized the importance of bridging industry expertise with higher education.

“At Thantawan Industry, we prioritize nurturing skilled talent and knowledge alongside technological development, as we believe this is at the heart of driving a sustainable packaging industry,” said Surasak. “Giving students direct access to actual industrial materials and production constraints enables them to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges of the field—from material properties to manufacturing limitations. This real-world experience forms a crucial foundation for developing high-caliber innovators ready to shape the future of Thailand’s packaging sector.”

Assistant Professor Dr. Narit Triamnak noted that the donated resin will be integrated into the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, specifically within the Petrochemicals and Polymer Materials program. The contribution is expected to significantly reduce the faculty’s material costs while elevating the curriculum beyond theoretical learning and simulated laboratory materials.

“Partnering with a leading private-sector organization like Thantawan Industry allows our students to develop engineering problem-solving skills using authentic industrial materials,” said Dr. Narit Triamnak. “Students will experiment with processing and molding these resins into environmentally friendly packaging for actual use within the university, supporting our ‘SU Green Campus’ policy and helping advance Silpakorn University toward becoming a national hub for sustainable materials research and development.”

This industry-academic alliance reflects a strategic effort to build a green industry ecosystem amid tightening global environmental regulations and rising demand for sustainable packaging. THIP aims to continue developing personnel with in-depth technical and production expertise and plans to expand this collaborative model to other educational institutions in the future.