CPRAM Launches FTEC (Food Technology Exchange Center): Advancing Thailand as Global Food Innovation Hub
CPRAM Company Limited (CPRAM), a leader in the ready-to-eat food industry, has launched the FTEC (Food Technology Exchange Center) to strengthen Thailand's food sector and position the country as a global food innovation hub. Backed by an investment of over 100 million baht, FTEC serves as a platform for collaboration and technology exchange across the food industry, engaging both public and private sectors and small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) domestically and internationally. The center is at the Food Technology Building, Tara Park, Chaeng Watthana Road, Nonthaburi Province.
Mr. Wisade Wisidwinyoo, President of CPRAM Company Limited, revealed "For cooperation to be without borders, there must be a center where all relevant sectors — including researchers, inventors, businessmen, and entrepreneurs — can meet, discuss, and exchange ideas, integrating various sciences with technology and brainstorming together. Researchers will receive real-world problems to conduct research and development, while businessmen and entrepreneurs will be supported by expert researchers from both the public and private sectors to help solve challenges and jointly develop food innovations through research projects. CPRAM will act as a mediator, facilitating connections among all parties and supporting the establishment of laboratories, personnel, and scientific tools. All of this is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Thailand's food industry, from upstream to downstream, enabling large-scale food production and strengthening competitiveness with other countries. Furthermore, the FTEC will play an important role in advancing the Thai food industry. In the first phase, FTEC will focus on biotech technology, leveraging the strengths of our partners, particularly the Faculty of Science, Food Technology and Management (SMAFT) at Panyapiwat Institute of Management and CP Foodlab Co., Ltd., both of which have specialized personnel and modern equipment. In the next phase, we will expand to include Robotech and Digitech technologies."
Dr. Decho Pluamjai, Dean of Faculty of Food Science, Technology and Management, Panyapiwat Institute of Management, said, "Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of the Faculty of Food Science, Technology and Management — a collaboration between Panyapiwat Institute of Management, CPRAM Co., Ltd., and CP Foodlab Co., Ltd. — CPRAM has supported curriculum development to enhance the quality of education, from theory and practice to internships, including providing full scholarships. This initiative expands educational opportunities for Thai youth. It nurtures a new generation of highly skilled professionals ready to meet the food industry's demands, fostering sustainable economic growth. Additionally, CP Foodlab Co., Ltd. has contributed by providing experts and specialists to share knowledge and support research to advance innovation and strengthen the food industry's future expansion. These efforts align with Charoen Pokphand Group's Three-Benefit Principle, which CPRAM upholds. SMAFT also plays a key role in establishing the FTEC, integrating academic support with learning processes to elevate the Thai food industry's capabilities to a world-class level."
Mr. Nuthasit Ungphakorn, Senior General Manager of CPRAM Company Limited, said, "Collaboration across all sectors can occur both within and beyond the organization, from the supply chain to external agencies. Simply thinking and working together can lead to endless development, expanding cooperation in depth and breadth. A tangible outcome of this collaboration is the establishment of FTEC, with an investment of over 100 million baht, located at the Food Technology Building, Tara Park, Chaeng Watthana Road, Nonthaburi Province. FTEC will serve as a central hub for fostering cooperation and knowledge exchange across the Thai food industry, engaging the public and private sectors and SMEs, without borders."
Mr. Pipak Jaroonlakkana, Deputy General Manager of CPRAM Company Limited, said, "The ready-to-eat food market has been growing continuously. According to Krungsri Research, domestic sales of ready-to-eat food are expected to expand significantly in 2025, particularly in the ready-to-eat and grab & go segments that align with urban lifestyles. CPRAM is therefore focusing on developing high-quality ready-to-eat and bakery products with enhanced nutritional value to expand market share and penetrate the middle-to-upper customer segment. In addition to developing mass-market foods to meet broad consumer demand, CPRAM also emphasizes local cuisine by introducing regional dishes — such as Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Eggs, Northern Thai Curry Noodle Soup with Chicken, and Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup — to the mass market. Development is guided by consumer insights from each region through a network of product developers across the country, ensuring consistent taste standards nationwide. To strengthen food innovation capabilities and respond to evolving consumer behaviors, CPRAM aims to create innovative foods that meet the needs of all consumer groups. With a product development team of over 200 professionals, CPRAM can continuously deliver new, high-quality, and diverse products to the market."
Dr. Phatcharee Kittisuban, Assistant General Manager Research and Development Center of CP Foodlab Co., Ltd., said, "CP Foodlab serves as a center of research excellence, supporting product development for Charoen Pokphand Group and other domestic and international companies. It also acts as a hub for coordinating research collaborations with public and private sector agencies to advance a sustainable food industry. Our food research and development efforts focus on meeting diverse consumer needs, including age-specific, occupation-specific, and health-specific nutritional requirements, while promoting better health outcomes. For example, we develop specialized foods for groups such as the elderly, children, and diabetics. As Thai society moves further into an aging population, CP Foodlab's research expertise and specialized personnel are key drivers behind FTEC, helping to elevate food innovation technology toward greater food security and long-term sustainability.
Mr. Wisade Wisidwinyoo, President of CPRAM Company Limited, added, "CPRAM operates under the FOOD 3S strategy to sustainably elevate the standards of the Thai food industry, focusing on Food Safety, Food Security, and Food Sustainability. This philosophy reflects CPRAM's commitment to driving steady and sustainable growth within Thailand's food sector. We continue to develop new products that respond to consumer behavior across all segments and serve as a key driver in positioning Thailand as a global food innovation hub."
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