BBGI partners with SCGC and QTC to produce bio transformer oil

BBGI Public Company Limited, a producer of ethanol and biodiesel based in Bangkok, Thailand,  has signed a commercial collaboration agreement with SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC) and QTC Energy Plc  to jointly develop and manufacture bio transformer oil.

SCG Chemicals is one of the largest integrated petrochemical companies in Asia and a key industry leader. QTC Energy (Public) Company Limited, formerly Quality Transformer Company Limited, was established to operate the business of producing and distributing distribution transformers. Both companies are also headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.

The product is expected to be available for distribution by mid-2023. Phase 2 of the bio transformer oil trial production by BBGI has successfully scaled up production recently, according to Kittiphong Limsuwannarot, president and chief executive officer. The plan is to scale up to commercial production.

QTC will be the first buyer to utilise and distribute the bio-based oil to its clients who are interested in eco-friendly transformer oils. 

The collaboration is an open innovation approach, enabling Texplore Co., Ltd., which is under the SCGC group, to bring their expertise in catalyst technologies to develop bio transformer production technology from a by-product of palm oil.  Thailand is the world’s third-largest palm oil producer behind Indonesia and Malaysia.

This is the first time that Thailand will produce its own bio-transformer oil to replace imports from overseas, marking a significant development towards fostering the country’s bio-economy.