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Researchers at Walailak University have unveiled an innovative breakthrough that transforms low-value empty oil palm bunches into Levulinic Acid, a high-value biochemical precursor worth millions of baht. The innovation responds to the needs of the pharmaceutical, food, clean energy, and organic agriculture industries, while helping Thailand reduce its reliance on imports of this chemical group. Supported by the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), the team is set to launch a pilot-scale production plant in late March 2026.



A research team from Walailak University, led by Assistant Professor Dr. Litavadee Chuaboon and Associate Professor Dr. Wichitpan Rongwong, has successfully developed a process that converts empty oil palm fruit bunches (EFB) - an agricultural waste material valued at only 0.10 baht per kilogram - into Levulinic Acid, significantly increasing its economic value. The innovation aims to serve the pharmaceutical, food, energy, and organic agriculture industries. A prototype plant is scheduled to begin operations in late March 2026.

Dr. Litavadee revealed that Thailand currently generates more than 8,000 tons of empty palm bunch waste annually. With prices as low as 0.10 baht per kilogram and disposal methods such as open burning contributing to air pollution, this waste poses environmental challenges that conflict with the country’s Net Zero greenhouse gas emission targets.

To address this issue, the research team applied the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) Model and developed a specialized reactor system combined with a highly efficient two-step chemical extraction process. The technology enables the conversion of 6.7 kilograms of empty palm bunches into 1 kilogram of high-value Levulinic Acid - representing a 15% yield.



“Levulinic Acid is in high demand in the global market,” Dr. Litavadee explained. “It can be utilized across multiple grades, from energy applications to high-purity grades for the pharmaceutical and food industries. At present, Thailand relies entirely on imports for this group of chemicals.”

She further noted that the innovation can be extended to synthesize 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA), an organic pesticide alternative to hazardous chemicals such as glyphosate. Unlike conventional herbicides, 5-ALA is safe for humans, leaves no toxic residues, and naturally biodegrades in the environment.

Beyond Levulinic Acid, the extraction process follows a Zero Waste approach. It enables the recovery of high-value by-products, including lignin, formic acid, and furfural, all of which can be commercially supplied as chemical industry precursors.



“This innovation not only reduces Thailand’s dependence on imported chemicals, but also has the potential to restructure the pricing mechanism of palm oil in Thailand,” Dr. Litavadee emphasized. “When the private sector can generate significant added value from agricultural waste, the benefits will return to palm farmers, allowing them to sell empty palm bunches at significantly higher prices. This represents a genuine uplift of the grassroots economy.”

The research project has received funding support from the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness (PMUC), alongside private-sector co-investment from The Southern Palm (2521) Co., Ltd.

The next phase involves the installation and commissioning of a 100-liter prototype demonstration plant at the university’s Science and Technology Park. If successful, production capacity will be expanded to 1,000 liters in the subsequent phase.