Smart enzyme for textile industry ENZease was announced the winner of National Innovation Award 2021 for Social & Environmental Contribution on 5 October 2021. Dr. Thidarat Nimchua, Team Leader of BIOTEC Enzyme Technology was presented with the award trophy from Dr. Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
Textile is considered one of the industries with large chemical inputs. Chemicals are used in virtually every process in textile production, in particular the desizing and scouring processes that use very acidic or alkaline chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide and caustic soda. Moreover, desizing and scouring require different operating conditions and therefore are performed in two separate steps.
Developed by BIOTEC, MTEC and Thanapaisal textile factory, ENZease is a duo-activity enzyme for one-step biodesizing and bioscouring process. It consists of amylase and pectinase activities which are capable of working in the same pH and temperature ranges, thus enabling a one-step biodesizing and bioscouring process. ENZease is able to lower chemical consumption, minimize step in the process, shorten treatment time, and thus reduces operating cost and space, making the large-scale operation simpler, more cost effective and more eco-friendly.
The technology has been licensed to Asia Star Trade Company Limited for commercial production as well as transferred to community enterprises and SMEs engaging in the traditional textile production.
Organized by the National Innovation Agency, the National Innovation Awards recognize innovations and innovators in five categories: economic contribution, social & environmental contribution, product & service design, media & communication, and innovative organization.