Page 20 - FoodFocusThailand No.179 February 2021

SPECIAL FOCUS

The BCG economic model comprises Biological economy, functional ingredients. Such products require effective packaging to
Circular economy and Green economy (Bio-Circular-Green Economy), protect and preserve food quality and slow down the degradation of
consistent with Thailand’s abundant, diverse and unique biological bioactive food components. This requires high-barrier packaging that
resources. Thailand is internationally recognized as a manufacturer can prevent ingress of gas, moisture and light.
and exporter of foods with high quality and standards. Applying Improving packaging properties through metal coating technology,
science and technology creates innovation and optimizes the multi-layer packaging lamination and the use of filler particles retards
cost-effectiveness of biological resources. Generating minimal the ingress of molecules that accelerate food degradation, especially
waste along with environmentally friendly economic processes adds oxygen, moisture and volatile contaminants.
value to mechanisms that bring sustainable income, increase Deterioration in agricultural produce is primarily caused by plant
economic competitiveness and improve the quality of life for the respiration and the growth of microorganisms. A research unit in
population. Thailand has successfully developed laser micro-perforation
technology that controls plant respiration and slows down quality
Biological Economy and Packaging deterioration of fresh fruit and vegetables. This new technology
Packaging plays an important role in food production and distribution, regulates the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange rate between the
and serves to maintain the quality of agricultural products and food. inside and outside of the package, effectively slowing down plant
Packaging also imparts value creation to the product in line with the respiration and extending shelf life. It is gratifying that the technology
bio-economic policy that focuses on applying science, technology has been produced on a commercial scale by Thai industrial
and innovation to add value to biological resources. entrepreneurs.
The government aims to build a high-value food industry through As well as preserving the value of food, packaging also plays an
production of premium products, functional food products and important role in creating value for the product. For example,

The Thai Government announced the BCG economic model as part of the national agenda following
Thailand 4.0, with the goal of Thailand becoming a high-income country within five years. The agro and
food industry was selected for upgrading by the government as one of the main goals to drive the national
economy under the BCG model.
Food Packaging Roles

in BCG Economic Model

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