InfoAnda - Thai tech pioneer converts waste into wealth

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Polo Rugby line launches iPhone app for custom shirts | 10 September 2009
Brazil joins emerging-nation boost to IMF funds | 6 October 2009
'Avatar' blue yields billion dollars in box-office gold | 4 January 2010

US: Helicopter downed in Afghanistan | 16 January 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Thai tech pioneer converts waste into wealth

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Singapore Asia Pacific World Thai tech pioneer converts waste into wealth AFP - 1 hour 38 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Thai tech pioneer converts waste into wealth BANGKOK (AFP) - – Paijit Sangchai drops a small piece of laminated paper into a jar of cloudy liquid which he hopes will transform his start-up into a multi-million dollar company and help revolutionise recycling. "Now this is the fun part," he says a few minutes later, holding it under the tap to wash away soggy paper pulp and reveal a clear plastic film. His Thai firm, Flexoresearch, has developed a series of blended enzymes that can recover pulp or fibre from laminated paper such as cigarette packets, stickers or milk cartons that were previously hard or impossible to recycle. First one enzyme attacks the water resistant chemical coating the surface, then others take over and tackle the paper and adhesive layers. The resulting pulp, he says, can be used to produce new paper products -- thus saving trees -- or turned into building materials that can be used as an alternative to asbestos, which is potentially hazardous to human health. The technique, believed to be the first of its kind, also produces clean plastic that can be recycled and used to produce new products. The firm was recently named one of 31 "Technology Pioneers" by the World Economic Forum, which said its products were "poised to reduce the use of asbestos in the developing world, positively impacting people's health." Time Magazine described Flexoresearch as one of "10 start-ups that will change your life". It is a rare honour to be bestowed on an entrepreneur in a country hardly renowned for its technological prowess. In developing countries such as Thailand, laminated paper is usually thrown away, Paijit says. "Most people burn it illegally and that causes toxic fumes which harm people's health," he tells AFP at his small laboratory in a science park on the northern outskirts of Bangkok. "For people in developing countries who suffer from the fumes and don't know why they are sick ... it can help improve their lives," he adds. And while developed countries like the United States are able to incinerate laminated paper such as fast food wrappers safely, they do not have any commercially viable way to recycle it either, he says. "Every country uses laminated paper, in stickers and wrappers of food like McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken. That's all laminated and people throw it away," he says. "I think this a global market." Since winning the Technology Pioneer award -- previous recipients of which include Google and Twitter -- Paijit has been flooded with thousands of emails, mostly from venture capitalists interested in investing in his start-up. But the affable company founder and CEO is not interested in borrowing more money or selling stakes to investors. He is looking for people overseas who want to licence the technology, which is already attracting interest in countries including Malaysia, Japan, China, South Korea and India. "I want to work with people around the world to heal the environment," says Paijit. It is a far cry from the days he spent experimenting with enzymes produced from mushrooms in a home laboratory after quitting a more than decade-long, well-paid career with a leading Thai industrial giant four years ago. He invested his savings, then borrowed heavily from the bank, putting up his house as collateral to keep the project going and build a paper mill in eastern Bangkok. At one point the firm was in debt to the tune of about 1.5 million dollars, but it has since repaid all the money and now employs 17 people. And Paijit is already eyeing ways to turn other problems into profits, including a technique to turn used liquid coolant drained from refrigeration systems into oil that can be used in the construction industry. "I make a profit from a problem. I convert waste into wealth," he says. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Australia's Myer to sell online from China: reports AFP - 44 minutes ago Bangladesh's Grameen Bank denies wrongdoing AFP - 50 minutes ago India's IIFCL to issue $267.7 mln tax-free bonds Reuters - 51 minutes ago Thai tech pioneer converts waste into wealth AFP - 1 hour 38 minutes ago India claims further $1.2 bln for Bhopal victims Reuters - 1 hour 49 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Climate: Kyoto row rocks UN talks Obama on surprise Afghanistan visit, says US winning war US unemployment surges to 9.8 percent Euro is 'credible', more rescue funds needed: Trichet WikiLeaks arrest looms as site fights to stay online More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended NASA finds new form of life... on Earth Suspect in Hollywood PR shooting commits suicide Finger length predicts prostate cancer risk: study US unemployment surges to 9.8 percent Euro is 'credible', more rescue funds needed: Trichet More Most Viewed » Pilgrims stone 'devil' as Muslims celebrate Eid NASA finds new form of life... on Earth World leaders scramble for funds to save the tiger US, S.Korea plan war games after N.Korean attack Obama gets 12 stitches after 'elbow in the lip' More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 4 December 2010
Saudi king in good shape after surgery
Sweden issues new arrest warrant for WikiLeaks head
Obama on surprise Afghanistan visit, says US winning war
Future of TV? Snapping, swiping and surfing
Spain backs pension reform, asset sales to ease debt
Big powers to press Iran on nuclear issue at talks
iPad makes it to Brazil, at eye-watering prices
US unemployment surges to 9.8 percent
Collahuasi talks stall, both sides willing to go on |
WikiLeaks: Bribery, graft rampant in Afghanistan
US-TECH Summary
U.N. body to set up atom fuel bank backed by Buffett |
WikiLeaks diverts to European websites amid U.S. fury
NATO reveals new details on slaying of 6 US troops
Family demands Spanish probe in Iraq death case |
WikiLeaks founder says guards against death threats
Pakistan PM to visit Afghanistan
India says no BlackBerry solution so far
Saudi king's operation successful: sources |
Iberia cancels all flights from Spain until Saturday |
Amazon pumps 175 million dollars into LivingSocial
Game industry in flux, investors watch and wait
US, S.Korea clinch new trade deal
U.S. military chiefs urge against ending gay ban
France seeks to bar hosting WikiLeaks website
Spanish judge jails three Pakistanis in forgery probe
Obama in Afghanistan, says troops making progress
Corrected: U.S. flew spy missions over Lebanon
Japan PM rejects pressure to reshuffle government
Iraqi writers protest against club closure and alcohol ban
Obama arrives in Kabul for unannounced Afghanistan trip
Philippines, communists to resume peace talks
Samsung promotes heir apparent, shares hit record
Game industry in flux, investors watch and wait |
Paris riverboat shelters homeless -- and their dogs
Belgian ambassador meets Suu Kyi
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Google ends Street View trespass case, pays $1 |
Ben Sherwood named president of ABC News
Malaysia's Anwar says likely to be suspended from parliament
Indonesia downgrades Mount Merapi volcano alert
High child inequality in some rich countries: UNICEF
WikiLeaks diverts to European websites amid U.S. fury |
Interview: One flash of her neck and Johnny Depp was done for
Russian man tells U.S. court not guilty in global spam scheme |
Can Lima unclog its traffic nightmare?
Triple despair in Asia as World Cup goes to Qatar
US Congress urges China to press N.Korea
India hopes to break deadlock at Cancun climate talks
Volvo, Geely in China plant talks
Sands China loses bid for lucrative Macau land
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee flat
Kids breaks new ground for lesbians on film |
Ben Sherwood named president of ABC News |
Obama, on Afghanistan visit, says US winning war
At least 60 dead in Europe as snow, floods cause havoc
Ivory Coast set to swear in Gbagbo despite poll row |
Abbas says may dissolve PA if no peace deal
Google bid to buy Groupon 'fails'
Climate: Kyoto row rocks UN talks
Obama on surprise Afghanistan visit, says US winning war
Abbas says may dissolve PA if no peace deal |
Universal opens virtual stage
Saudi king well after surgery in U.S. -royal court
U.S. troops had tea with killer Afghan policeman |
Euro is 'credible', more rescue funds needed: Trichet
Limewire says to close December 31 after legal battle
Big powers to press Iran on nuclear issue at talks
South Korea repeats warning against North Korea |
WikiLeaks arrest looms as site fights to stay online
Top papers to charge online, but how?
Kyrgyzstan renews attempts to build coalition government |
Clinton: Iran faces choices in nuclear talks
Orbotix turns smartphones into remote controls
U.N. urges Haiti candidates: respect law, shun violence |
International crews help Israel fight forest fire
Swiss WikiLeaks website blocked, spawns alternatives
Obama: Afghanistan will never be a terrorist haven
International crews help Israel fight forest fire |
WikiLeaks accuses 'cowardly' Amazon of lying
Spain PM allows army to take control of air space |
Cook, Trott stand puts Ashes heat on Aussies
Google ends Street View trespass case, pays $1
Saudi king well after surgery in U.S.: royal court |
Sarkozy arrives in India for four-day trip
South Korea repeats warning against North Korea
Donaire looks to set up bantamweight title fight
US returns stolen historical documents to Russia
Wagner must be freed from Nazi 'weight': conductor
US, S.Korea clinch new trade deal
"Kids" breaks new ground for lesbians on film
Yang seizes three-stroke lead at LPGA Championship
S.Korean president approves new FTA with US
Limewire says to close December 31 after legal battle |
US Congress intervenes on Japan immigration cases
Thai tech pioneer converts waste into wealth
Top papers to charge online, but how? |
Pitcairn mayor on child porn charges
Bullet train line extended in northern Japan
SKorea renews vows of retaliation against NKorea
Malaysia cuts fuel, sugar subsidy to trim deficit
Universal opens virtual stage |
Pakistan to sell T-bills in 5-day repo
Honda to end motorcycle joint venture in India: report
Orbotix turns smartphones into remote controls |
S.Korea, US agree on auto deal to save trade pact
South Korea, U.S. agree on deal to save trade pact
WTO raps EU for measures on Chinese metal fasteners
Fashionable Fergie gets push from Wilhelmina Models |
Robert Downey Jr. attached to star in musical film |
Filmmaker works 40 years to make Nutcracker 3D |
Adam Lambert on post-American Idol success |
Former Dora the Explorer settles lawsuit |
Spanish air space opens, recovery in '24-48 hours'
Two die after Russian plane makes emergency landing: report |
Iran pilgrims among 13 dead in Iraq bombings: sources |
Iran accuses U.N. nuclear agency of sending spies |
Afghan official offers to quit over leaked cable |
Al Qaeda planned to kill Saudis with poisoned gifts |
Kenya asks FBI to help investigate attacks on police |
Israel arrests two suspects in deadly fire |
Sarkozy pushes nuclear deals in India
Record-breaking train on track
No respite from the heat, despite the cold
S Korea defence minister designate warns air strike on North Korea
Viacom wants new ruling in YouTube copyright case
Samsung reshuffle makes group younger
Fashionable Fergie gets push from Wilhelmina Models
Society Authorities probe death of inmate in S China
Looks can kill
Former "Dora the Explorer" settles lawsuit
PayPal suspends WikiLeaks donations account |
Chinese cargo ship sinks off Philippine coast
Filmmaker works 40 years to make "Nutcracker 3D"
Robert Downey Jr. attached to star in musical film
Five shot dead in gun attacks across Thai south
Adam Lambert on post-'American Idol' success
Pakistani hackers shut India crime bureau website |
Internet addresses to be used up in January: expert
'Pakistan' hackers target India's top police agency
WikiLeaks battles to stay online as Assange arrest looms
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01