Bangkok--30 May--PTT Lieutenant General Poonpirom Liptapanlop, Minister of Energy, chaired the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony On The Collaborative Research and Development Project On Bio-Hydrogenated Diesel (BHD) signed between Dr. Songkiert Tansamrit, Executive Vice President-PTT Research and Technology Institute and Mr. Mitsuhiro Sonoda, President of Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd., and Mr. Ryoichi Sasaki, President of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Lieutenant General Poonpirom revealed that Thailand is negatively affected by the continuous rising oil prices. However, the ongoing economic growth brings about high demand of fuel and imports of oil. Therefore, all sectors must join hands in saving energy as well as exploring and developing more alternative energy in order to reduce oil imports. According to Minister of Energy, the joint study and development of Bio-Hydrogenated Diesel or BHD, which is the first-ever in Thailand, by the collaboration between PTT and Toyota Group will bring about innovative biological fuel that benefits Thailand in many ways because it can be produced from various sources of raw materials which included the non-food feed stocks such as jatropha and seaweed. This helps reduce supply shortage of feed stocks. In addition, the amount of BHD to be blended into diesel can be more than 10% while having good quality of fuel for diesel engines as required by the government. The new alternative fuel is also environmental friendly which can help ease the problem of green house effect. Mr. Prasert Bunsumpun, CEO and President of PTT Public Company Limited, revealed that PTT has been monitoring the rapid changes of energy technologies. Meanwhile, PTT has also followed His Majesty The King’s initiative on alternative fuels. As a result, PTT is the first to develop “Gasohol”, “Palm Diesel”, and “Bio Diesel B5 Plus” as well as “Natural Gas For Vehicles” in order to help reduce the country and household expenses. PTT Research And Technology Institute, one of the most advance research institute in Southeast Asia, was lately collaborated with Toyota Group in the joint research study of Bio-Hydrogenated Diesel. Under the project, vegetable oil has gone through hydrogenation process. The new alternative fuel has the similar structure to diesel but with higher quality. That is, it contains cetane value higher than 80; more complete combustion; sulphur-free; and produces lesser pollution. PTT will further conduct research and testing of Bio-Hydrogenated Diesel for higher quality and standard prior to its pilot launching to the market in 2008-2009. Mr. Shigeki Suzuki, Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan (TMC), said amid the Government’s support on the expansion of palm oil plantation in Thailand, Toyota would like to introduce BHD which is the product to get the best value out of palm oil. Due to good qualities of BHD, farmers are also ensured that growing palm oil is worthwhile. BHD produces less pollution and allows longer engine life compared to traditional biodiesel. In addition, blending proportion of BHD into diesel can be higher than those of the traditional one. Toyota believes that BHD is the technology to support the Government’s environmental friendly policy in which BHD can helps reduce soot and particle, poor exhaustion, and carbon monoxide. Mr. Ryoichi Sasaki, President of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TMAP-EM), revealed that it is understood that Thailand has to import oil in the substantial amount amid the high rising oil prices. Meanwhile, Thailand is the agricultural country who has abundant supply of raw material to produce fuel. Therefore, His Majesty The King has initiated the development of biodiesel fuel. TMAP-EM, who responsible for the technology development in Thailand, has seen the importance in supporting the biological fuel project in Thailand. The research collaboration with PTT is also its important duty in which TMAP-EM will provide technology support on evaluation of the automobile and engine as well as the testing to find out any negative effect toward parts and fuel injection system that might arisen from the using of testing-fuel. Mr. Mitsuhiro Sonoda, President of Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. (TMT), revealed that since “Hilux Vigo”, diesel-engine truck, was launched to the market, it received very warm welcome from customers in Thailand. Toyota Motor Thailand realizes that it is the company’s policy in developing “Hilux Vigo” to be an environmental friendly automobile. To support the Thai society and its automobile industry, the company aims to serve Thai customers and the government policies on energy saving and environmental conservation. Following the mentioned policy, benefit does not fall only on Toyota’s customers but all diesel customers. It is the company intention to handling more environmental-friendly products to customer as well as serving the rising future demand of diesel truck.