NACAGs project partner, UBE Chemicals (Asia) Public Company Limited (UCHA) has restructured its business and announced plans to cease its caprolactam production by March 2027. In response, the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG) project in Thailand needed to realign its activities to better reflect the current circumstances and maximize benefits for the country. The already purchased monitoring devices — including a nitrous oxide analyzer, gas flow measurement equipment, and temperature monitoring instruments, to measure N2O emissions after abatement in the caprolactam production was therefore — to the Pollution Control Department (PCD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). The equipment will support the department’s mission in air pollution control and monitoring, with nitrous oxide being one of the most important air pollutants with relevance for global warming and ozone layer depletion.
The handover took place at the Vehicle Pollution Monitoring Laboratory, Pollution Control Department (PCD), on 8 October 2025. Mr. Thawatchai Saengkamsuk, Component Lead on Mitigation, Climate Coastal Marine and Biodiversity (CCMB), GIZ– Thailand Office, represented GIZ in delivering the equipment, accompanied by Mr. Benjaphol Tangsripairoje, executive vice president of UCHA. The equipment was received by Dr. Ittipol Pawarmart, head of the Automotive Emission Laboratory, representing the PCD, with Ms. Suriwassa Thanyanatthawit, environmentalist professional level, representing the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE), serving as witness to the handover.
During the handover event, representatives from UBE Chemicals (Asia) Public Company Limited demonstrated the operation of the nitrous oxide (N₂O) analyzer at various concentration levels (as presented in Figure 1). Dr. Ittipol Pawarmart, head of automotive emission laboratory, PCD also provided an explanation of the analyzer’s functions and conducted a demonstration of nitrous oxide measurement from a light-duty vehicle (as presented in Figure 2). In addition, the discussion and exchange of ideas on strengthening collaboration among key stakeholders — including the Pollution Control Department, the Department of Climate Change and Environment, private sector partners, and international cooperation agencies. The discussion included potential approaches such as establishing a technical working group to enhance coordination and jointly drive efforts in pollution control and climate change mitigation.
The handover of the equipment was carried out in compliance with the Ministry of Finance’s regulations on the acceptance of money or assets by government agencies (B.E. 2526). A dedicated committee was appointed to inspect the donated equipment, ensuring its proper condition and completeness, so as to maximize its usefulness in pollution management and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Thailand.
Figure 1: Demonstration of the Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) Analyzer Operation by UBE’s representative
Figure 2: Discussion and exchange of how to strengthen collaboration among agencies
Figure 3: Handover equipment procedure
