| Project Title | Principal Investigators | Position and Institution |
Abstract of Research Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated biorefinery of sugarcane trash | Japan Takashi Watanabe |
Director, Professor, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH), Kyoto University |
This collaborative research aims to utilize sugarcane trash and to retrofit existing sugar mills and ethanol plants by transforming them to biorefinery complex with useful multi-products, leading to the development of a sustainable local society. Specifically, Japanese research team will develop a separation technology suitable for the production of multi-products from sugarcane trash by analyzing chemical structures of the biomass. The team will also analyze the economic and social impact of the integrated process. Thai team will develop efficient lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, design yeast cell factory by synthetic biology, and develop bioprocess for production of lactic acid and isobutanol. Indonesia team will study lignin-derived surfactants and production of xylitol. Laos team will study physicochemical pretreatment of sugarcane trash for biogas production. Through collaborative and complementary research among the four countries, this research is expected to provide a platform for development of cost-effective biomass fractionation technology, robust cell factory and efficient chemical processing for conversion of cellulosic feedstocks to chemicals, contributing to a sustainable society by positive feedback of the research outcome. |
| Thailand Verawat Champreda |
Research Unit Leader, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology |
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| Indonesia Euis Hermiati |
Group Leader, Research Center for Biomaterials, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) |
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| Lao PDR Keonakhone Khounvilay |
Division Head, Chemical Engineering Division, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Laos |
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| Development of algal bioenergy systems for green and sustainable ASEAN region | Japan Armando Quitain |
Professor, College of Cross-Cultural and Multidisciplinary Studies, Kumamoto University |
This collaborative research aims to develop a process and a system to convert algae into bioenergy applicable to ASEAN region. Specifically, the Japanese and Thai teams will develop technologies for producing biodiesel from algal oil by reaction using solid catalysts. Philippine team will evaluate the sustainability of the developed process based on process system engineering approaches. Indonesian team will develop technology to select, culture and collect algae suitable for biofuel production. By linking unique technologies that make use of the strengths of each country, this research is expected to provide a process of producing biofuel using low environmental load technology combining microwave/ ultrasonic/ supercritical fluid / catalyst, and to contribute to the sustainable development of the ASEAN region. |
| Thailand Suttichai Assabumrungrat |
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University |
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| Philippines Raymond Tan |
Professor, Center for Engineering and Sustainable Development Research, De La Salle University |
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| Indonesia Siti Zullaikah |
Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI SEPULUH NOPEMBER |
Underlined: Lead Principal Investigator