Thai Union Group and the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University Launches World's First Global Innovation Incubator Investing over THB100-million in Science and Technology-Based Innovation for Sustainable Growth

Thai Union Frozen Products Public Company Limited (TUF) embraces Board of Investment Thailand (BOI) policies in promoting R&D activities in the private sector. TUF has initiated research platforms for tuna using science and technology-based innovation in order to develop value-added tuna and seafood-related products. The research-intellectual collaboration with the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University commences Thai Union Group's Global innovation Incubator (GII) to elevate sustainable food science technology.

Bangkok - December 9, 2014 - Thai Union Frozen Products Public Company Limited (TUF) signed a collaboration agreement with the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University to inaugurate Thai Union Group's first Global Innovation Incubator (GII) - over THB100 million-worth project. The Global Innovation Incubator's primary purpose is to develop innovative research and studies of technology for tuna and seafood-related products. GII will function as a central network and a global exchange hub of R&D data and technology transfer amongst scientists within the Thai Union Group.

Mr. Thirapong Chansiri, President and CEO of Thai Union Group noted, "I strongly believe that investing in technology and innovation will enhance our business competitive advantage and strengthen our position in the global seafood industry. Thai Union Group is regarded as the world's largest processor of shelf-stable tuna products and is ranked amongst the largest seafood producers in the world. Therefore, tuna is considered important raw material to our business. We need to leverage cutting-edge technology to further develop our production processes and value-added product portfolio in order to achieve optimum efficiency and create most sustainable growth. The Global Innovation Incubator (GII) is a catalyst of our business and industry development. Innovation is one of Thai Union's core strategies which will help accelerate our ambitious goal of USD 8 Billion in annual revenues in the next 6 years".

Mr. Chansiri continued, "However, the value creation of innovative technology requires a cooperation of all our key stakeholders including customers, consumers, business partners, government sector and academic associates. This will ensure that such innovation introduced to the market will result in best commercial sense and meet every discerning demand of consumers all over the world.

"Thai Union recognizes the importance of innovation and technology and commits to focus on investing in more R&D activities throughout our global business operations. We entered into a research-intellectual collaboration with highly notable the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University and set a significant step forward allowing researchers and scientists from Thailand's prestigious academic institutions to share knowledge and exchange data from research development including those of TUF's scientists around the world."

Professor Dr. Skorn Mongkolsuk, Dean of Faculty of Science at Mahidol University added, "Mahidol University places great importance on the support and promotion of R&D activities in the areas of science, technology and innovative development in cooperation with the private sector. Such initiatives will lead to a better quality of life, food security, job creation, better economy and society and Thailand's ability to compete on the global stage. Mahidol University has pooled its resources and faculty comprising of the nation's leading research scientists for GII, working together to raise level of competitiveness of Thailand's food industry to international standards. This initiative will bring national pride to Mahidol University and benefit the country in the future."

Dr. Tunyawat Kasemsuwan, Global Innovation Director of Thai Union Group concluded, "It is my great pleasure that TUF's first Global Innovation Incubator (GII), a joint cooperation with Mahidol University, is officially ready to perform R&D operations on various projects. Research data and information exchange amongst TUF's global subsidiaries will enable us to reach optimal benefits. The GII will start its R&D works in January, 2015. Our target is to come up with new innovation within 1-2 years for the world to see. The first focus area will be the development of raw materials and tuna-based products for the maximum benefit for global consumers."

Dr. Tuyawat added, "Most important of all, I am very proud of the fact that over 60 leading research scientists from Thailand and overseas demonstrated an extraordinary level of cooperation in order to elevate the status of a Thai-owned company to the leading position in the world's food industry. This achievement is proudly recognized by the team members of Thai Union Group and the people of Thailand at large".

The functional structure of GII consists of six major platforms as follows:

  • Platform Project 1(Fundamental Studies of TUNA)
  • Platform Project 2 (Health & Wellness Benefits from TUNA)
  • Platform Project 3 (New Processing Technology)
  • Platform Project 4 (Co-products Science and Technology)
  • Platform Project 5 (Sensory properties of tuna products and consumer research)
  • Platform Project 6 (Perfect TUNA product research and development)

About TUF

Thai Union Frozen (TUF) Products PCL is the world's seafood expert bringing high quality, safe, delicious and convenient seafood products to customers across the world for over 37 years.

Today, TUF is regarded as the world's largest producer of shelf-stable tuna products with annual sales exceeding THB100 billion and a global workforce of over 35,000 people who are dedicated to pioneering sustainable and innovative seafood products.

The firm is dedicated to producing sustainable, convenient and quality seafood products for healthy, happy families everywhere - its brand portfolio includes Thai-leading brands Sealect, Fisho and Bellotta; as well as highly recognized international brands Chicken of the Sea, John West, King Oscar, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, and Century.

As a company committing to innovation and globally responsible business practices, TUF is proud to be a member of the UN Global Compact, a founding member of the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) and a recognized member of Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Emerging Markets 2014 - the first and only Thai company in the food products sector to be awarded.

For further information, please visit: www.thaiuniongroup.com. 
or contact: Thai Union Frozen Products PCL. Tel: +66 2 298 0024

For further information, please contact:

Thai Union Frozen Products PCL 
Ms. Pantamas Krikul, Head of External Communications & Media Relations 
T: +66 2 298 0024 ext.677 
F: +66 2 298 0024 ext. 679 
M: +66 84388 2617 
E: pantamas_kr@thaiunion.co.th