National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc plans to scale up production of special-grade face masks and it wants to commercialise implants used in the reconstruction of the human skull -- all made of polymer -- through cooperation with the state-run National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).
Under two memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed by PTT and NSTDA yesterday, NSTDA is expected to help with technological know-how while PTT provides expertise in commodity polymer production.
NSTDA invented a titanium-made material that can be used to make face masks similar in quality to the N95 type.
The agency is producing a small batch of implants used in treatments for the human skull through its spin-off Customize Technology Co.
The implants can be used to replace parts of the skull that are broken or damaged by accidents, a physical disorder or certain diseases.
The output of the face masks, currently being produced at an industrial scale, will be scaled up, while the implants are still at the planning stage for mass production.
Anek Laothamatas, the higher education, science, research and innovation minister who presided over the MoU signing, said PTT can support these plans through its commodity polymer manufacturing as polymer is needed to manufacture these two products.
NSTDA can add value to polymer by turning it into a medical-grade speciality polymer, with the price expected to increase up to tenfold, he said.
Noppadol Pinsupa, PTT's chief new business and infrastructure officer, said PTT has an "ultra-strength" polymer production plant that can manage the manufacturing of the implants used to repair skull damage.
PTT also plans to conduct research on the development of other medical implants with NSTDA, he said.
Narong Sirilertworakul, president of NSTDA, said as a global polymer producer, Thailand has the potential to add value to polymer products by meeting the standard required for medical and food-grade products.
The development of new polymer-based products is not only aimed at supporting medical treatments to improve the lives of patients, but also to market them to gain more revenue, said Mr Narong.
