Three Short-term experts worked on low-carbon wastewater treatment technology using duckweed
Professor Dr. Masaaki Morikawa, Hokkaido University: 29/7/2026 – 1/8/2026
Principal Researcher, the National Institute for Environmental Studies, Dr. Yoshitaka Ebie: 29/7/2026 – 1/8/2026
Professor Dr. Tadashi Toyama, University of Yamanashi: 31/7/2026 – 3/8/2026
The project's chief researcher, Professor Masaaki Morikawa, Group 6 leader Dr. Yoshitaka Ebie and Group 5 sub-leader Professor Tadashi Toyama worked together to drive the project forward.
First, they shared necessary methodologies and information with Thai researchers to evaluate the low-carbon impact of duckweed-based technologies and also exchanged views. They visited the bench-scale duckweed wastewater treatment reactor installed at Kasetsart University to inspect its operational status and discuss future operating procedures. Furthermore, they visited a pig farm in Lopburi Province to provide guidance and hold discussions regarding measurement methods and future plans for assessing greenhouse gas reduction through the use of duckweed in wastewater treatment ponds.
This initiative not only focuses on developing low-carbon wastewater treatment technology using duckweed but also aims to establish a technical foundation for producing and supplying the duckweed required for biofuel (methane gas) and bioplastic production—promoted by Group 4—at zero fertilizer cost. Collaborators on the Thai side included Professor Dr. Chart Chiemchaisri and four students from Kasetsart University, Dr. Sirintornthep Towprayoon from King Mongkut's University of Technology, and Dr. Metha Meetam from Mahidol University (CEO/CTO of Advanced GreenFarm).
Note:
The project consists of six research groups namely: G1: Duckweed Holobiont Resource & Research Center (DHbRC). G2: Duckweed holobiont collection. G3: Duckweed holobiont analysis and biotechnology. G4: Duckweed biomass utilization. G5: Duckweed wastewater treatment technology. G6: Social implementation activities toward BCG economy.