The National Nanotechnology Centre (Nanotec) has set aside a budget of 300 million baht (approximately A$10 million) to set up the country’s first bi-component fibre pilot plant.
In conjunction with Rajamangala University of Technology, Krungthep, Nanotec intends to produce a new kind of fibre with special properties. It is proposed that the new fibre will support the country’s vision of becoming a centre of fashion.
Chulalongkorn University and Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi will also be working with the pilot plant to set up a Collaborative Research Consortium on bi-component fibre.
The production of bi-component fibre uses a technology that combines two different polymers, with their own distinct chemical properties, resulting in a new kind of fibre that offers varying functionalities.
It is expected that the technology will help the local textile sector by producing various kinds of new functional fibres thus adding to the local textile value chain.
The Nanotec Director recently said the 300 million baht budget would be used to run the project for five years. In the first year of establishment, the centre will spend around 60 million baht (around A$2 million) to set up the plant, which will be operational in nine months, in collaboration with the Rajamangala University of Technology.
Scientists at the centre will conduct bi-component fibre research to develop new kind of products for the local textile industry. The technology will combine two different polymers resulting in fibres with several new properties.
The centre has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Taiwan Textile Research Institute for technology transfer on bi-component fibre development. Under the agreement, the centre will send researchers for training to Taiwan.
The pilot will focus on the development of bi-component fibre for use in apparel and home textiles. It is hoped that the technology will be able to be applied to develop textiles for medical, sports and automotive applications. The technology has the ability to develop textiles with properties such as resistance to bacteria, heat and humidity.
The plant will combine production and opportunities to conduct research. Research support will also be provided to the Centre but its collaboration with Chulalongkorn University and Rajamangala University of Technology, Thanyaburi will be through the establishment of a collaborative Research Consortium.