HRH Somdech Phra Kanishthadhiraj Chao Krom Somdech Phra Debaratnarajsuda Sayamboromrajakumari Presides Over Grand Opening of Thai Union’s New Global Innovation Center

7 June 2019, Bangkok - HRH Somdech Phra Kanishthadhiraj Chao Krom Somdech Phra Debaratnarajsuda Sayamboromrajakumari today presided over the opening ceremony of Thai Union Group PCL’s new Global Innovation Center. The company’s top management joined other invited guests in welcoming Her Royal Highness at SM Tower in Bangkok.

On this special occasion, the Princess graciously granted permission to Thai Union Chairman Kraisorn Chansiri and Cheng Niruttinanon, Chairman of Executive Director, to present a donation to Her Royal Highness’ charity, while President and CEO Thiraphong Chansiri gave an introduction about Thai Union and the GIC.

HRH Somdech Phra Kanishthadhiraj Chao Krom Somdech Phra Debaratnarajsuda Sayamboromrajakumari then officially opened the Global Innovation Center and invited Dr. Tunyawat Kasemsuwan, Thai Union’s Global Innovation Director, to present an exhibition about the work of the GIC. HRH also visited the global food operation room of the GIC and prepared HRH’s own special recipe of Som Tam Tuna.

During the visit, HRH observed the operations and advanced technology of the GIC, including innovative products such as Yellow Fin Tuna Slices – ready-to-eat cooked tuna made from 100 percent yellowfin tuna meat and high-quality pure tuna oil, a good source of Omega fatty acid and DHA. HRH also inspected the GIC’s DNA printing innovation for tuna traceability that can identify specific tuna species from raw materials, the catch location of Skipjack tuna and the origin of individual fish based on genetic profile. 

About the Global Innovation Center

The Global Innovation Center was established in 2015 as the Global Innovation Incubator, a center for research and the development of products for Thai Union’s brands around the world. It was also created to combine modern nutritional science and production innovations to develop products that address the needs of consumers and the global food industry. The center also uses technology and innovation to improve production processes, providing additional benefits and value to customers, consumers and stakeholders.

In 2019, the Global Innovation Incubator was rebranded as the Global Innovation Center and relocated from the Faculty of Science at Mahidol University to Thai Union’s Bangkok office at SM Tower. The GIC was built over 5,000 square meters with a value of THB 300 million. More than 40 Doctoral Degree scientists and over 120 researchers in the fields of marine biotechnology, engineering, medicine, food science and nutrition from around the world work at the GIC, coordinating and exchanging knowledge and expertise in R&D and using the latest technologies to provide the best outcomes for consumers and the environment.

About Thai Union Group

Thai Union Group PCL is the world’s seafood leader bringing high quality, healthy, tasty and innovative seafood products to customers across the world for more than 40 years.

Today, Thai Union is regarded as the world’s largest producer of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB 133.3 billion (US$ 4.1 billion) and a global workforce of over 47,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable, innovative seafood products.

The company’s global brand portfolio includes market-leading international brands such as Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, and Rügen Fisch and Thai-leading brands SEALECT, Fisho, Qfresh, Monori, Bellotta and Marvo.

As a company committed to innovation and globally responsible behavior, Thai Union is proud to be a member of the United Nations Global Compact, and a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF). In 2015, Thai Union introduced its SeaChange® sustainability strategy. Find out more at seachangesustainability.org.

Thai Union’s on-going work on sustainability issues was recognized in 2018 by being ranked number one in the world in the Food Products Industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, achieving a 100th percentile ranking for total sustainability score. Thai Union has now been named to the DJSI for five consecutive years. Thai Union was also named to the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the third straight year in 2018.

Media contacts
Wiriyaporn Posayanonda
Head of External Communications
+66.81.922.5135
Wiriyaporn.Posayanonda@thaiunion.com