Bangkok, Thailand – CPRAM Company Limited (CPRAM), a prominent force in Thailand’s ready-to-eat food sector, has officially unveiled the Food Technology Exchange Center (FTEC), marking a significant stride towards cementing Thailand’s position as a preeminent global hub for food innovation. This ambitious initiative, backed by a substantial investment exceeding 100 million baht, is poised to revolutionize the nation’s food industry by creating an unparalleled ecosystem for collaboration, technological advancement, and knowledge exchange.
FTEC aims to bridge the gap between diverse stakeholders, encompassing public and private sector entities, research institutions, and crucially, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), both within Thailand and across international borders. The state-of-the-art facility is strategically located at the Food Technology Building within Tara Park, Chaeng Watthana Road, Nonthaburi Province, serving as a nerve center for the future of food.
The establishment of FTEC represents a critical infrastructural development designed to foster synergistic partnerships across the entire food value chain. Mr. Wisade Wisidwinyoo, President of CPRAM Company Limited, articulated the vision behind the center, emphasizing the need for a dedicated space where diverse minds can converge. “For cooperation to be without borders, there must be a center where all relevant sectors — including researchers, inventors, businessmen, and entrepreneurs — can meet, discuss, and exchange ideas, integrating various sciences with technology and brainstorming together,” stated Mr. Wisidwinyoo.
He elaborated that this collaborative environment will ensure researchers tackle real-world industry challenges, while businesses gain access to expert support for problem-solving and joint innovation development through structured research projects. CPRAM positions itself as a crucial mediator in this ecosystem, facilitating connections and providing essential support, including laboratory facilities, skilled personnel, and advanced scientific tools. The overarching goal, as Mr. Wisade highlighted, is to significantly enhance the capabilities of Thailand’s food industry from primary production (upstream) to consumer-facing products (downstream), thereby bolstering large-scale food production capacity and strengthening the nation’s competitive edge on the global stage. FTEC is envisioned as a pivotal force driving the Thai food industry forward.
In its initial operational phase, FTEC will strategically concentrate on harnessing the power of biotechnology. This focus leverages the existing strengths and expertise of key partners, notably the Faculty of Science, Food Technology and Management (SMAFT) at the esteemed Panyapiwat Institute of Management, and CP Foodlab Co., Ltd.. Both partner organizations bring specialized personnel and cutting-edge equipment to the table, creating a strong foundation for biotech advancements within the food sector. Looking ahead, Mr. Wisade revealed plans for subsequent phases: “In the next phase, we will expand to include Robotech and Digitech technologies,” signalling a commitment to embracing a wider spectrum of technological innovation to future-proof the industry.
The collaboration with academic institutions like the Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) is fundamental to FTEC’s success and long-term vision. Dr. Decho Pluamjai, Dean of the Faculty of Food Science, Technology and Management (SMAFT) at PIM, highlighted the deep-rooted partnership, referencing the prior Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that established SMAFT through collaboration between PIM, CPRAM, and CP Foodlab. He emphasized CPRAM’s significant contributions, stating, “CPRAM has supported curriculum development to enhance the quality of education, from theory and practice to internships, including providing full scholarships”.
This commitment, Dr. Decho noted, serves a dual purpose: expanding educational opportunities for Thai youth and cultivating a new generation of highly skilled professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of the food industry, ultimately fostering sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, the involvement of CP Foodlab Co., Ltd. has been instrumental, providing expert knowledge sharing and crucial research support to drive innovation and fortify the industry for future expansion. These collaborative efforts are deeply aligned with the Charoen Pokphand Group’s guiding “Three-Benefit Principle,” a philosophy steadfastly upheld by CPRAM. Dr. Pluamjai concluded by affirming SMAFT’s key role within FTEC, integrating academic rigor with practical learning processes to elevate the Thai food industry’s capabilities towards world-class standards.
The spirit of open collaboration extends beyond formal partnerships. Mr. Nuthasit Ungphakorn, Senior General Manager of CPRAM Company Limited, underscored this point, noting that collaboration can manifest both internally within organizations and externally, spanning the supply chain and engaging various agencies. “Simply thinking and working together can lead to endless development, expanding cooperation in depth and breadth,” Mr. Nuthasit remarked. He identified FTEC, with its significant 100 million baht investment and strategic location in Nonthaburi, as a tangible and powerful outcome of this collaborative philosophy. FTEC is designed explicitly to be the central nexus for this borderless cooperation and knowledge sharing across the entire spectrum of the Thai food industry.
This strategic investment comes at a time when the ready-to-eat food market is experiencing robust growth. Mr. Pipak Jaroonlakkana, Deputy General Manager of CPRAM Company Limited, pointed to market trends, referencing Krungsri Research findings that project significant expansion in domestic ready-to-eat food sales in 2025. He particularly noted the strong performance expected in ready-to-eat and “grab & go” segments, which cater effectively to modern urban lifestyles. In response to these dynamics, CPRAM is intensifying its focus on developing high-quality ready-to-eat meals and bakery items, placing a strong emphasis on enhanced nutritional value. This strategy aims not only to capture greater market share but also to penetrate the discerning middle-to-upper customer segments. While continuing to serve the broad consumer base with mass-market offerings, CPRAM is also championing local culinary heritage.
The company actively introduces regional Thai dishes—citing examples like Stir-Fried Morning Glory with Eggs, Northern Thai Curry Noodle Soup with Chicken (Khao Soi Kai), and Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup (Kuay Jap Yuan)—to a wider audience. This product development is informed by deep consumer insights gathered from various regions via a dedicated network of product developers, ensuring authentic tastes while maintaining consistent quality standards nationwide. To further bolster its innovation capacity and adapt to rapidly changing consumer behaviours, CPRAM is committed to creating novel food products that cater to the diverse needs of all consumer groups. This commitment is backed by a formidable product development team comprising over 200 professionals, enabling a continuous stream of new, high-quality, and varied products into the market.
CP Foodlab Co., Ltd., a key partner in the FTEC initiative, brings significant research and development prowess to the collaboration. Dr. Phatcharee Kittisuban, Assistant General Manager of the Research and Development Center at CP Foodlab, described the entity as a center of research excellence that supports product development not only for the Charoen Pokphand Group but also for other companies, both domestic and international. CP Foodlab also functions as a critical hub for coordinating research collaborations with various public and private sector agencies, all aimed at advancing a sustainable food industry.
Dr. Phatcharee elaborated on their R&D focus: “Our food research and development efforts focus on meeting diverse consumer needs, including age-specific, occupation-specific, and health-specific nutritional requirements, while promoting better health outcomes”. Examples include the development of specialized foods tailored for specific demographic groups such as the elderly, children, and individuals managing diabetes. Recognizing the societal shift towards an aging population in Thailand, Dr. Kittisuban emphasized that CP Foodlab’s research expertise and specialized personnel are fundamental drivers for FTEC. Their contribution is seen as crucial in elevating food innovation technology to enhance food security and achieve long-term sustainability for the nation.
Reiterating the company’s strategic direction, Mr. Wisade Wisidwinyoo concluded by highlighting CPRAM’s operational philosophy encapsulated in the “FOOD 3S” strategy: Food Safety, Food Security, and Food Sustainability. This framework underscores CPRAM’s unwavering commitment to elevating the standards of the Thai food industry and driving its steady, sustainable growth. “We continue to develop new products that respond to consumer behavior across all segments and serve as a key driver in positioning Thailand as a global food innovation hub,” Mr. Wisade affirmed. The launch of FTEC is not merely an investment in infrastructure; it is a declaration of intent, positioning CPRAM and its partners at the forefront of shaping a technologically advanced, collaborative, and sustainable future for Thailand’s vital food sector on the world stage
