BANGKOK, 4 June 2015 – The Ministry of Science and Technology has successfully improved the durability of para rubber such that it can replace wooden planks used underneath train tracks.
The ministry and the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) have been working with IRC (ASIA) Research Ltd. under an agreement to raise the market value of para rubber through research and development.
Science and Technology Minister Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj said the new development helps maintain rubber prices and curb expensive imports of track parts.
The increased number of railway construction projects by the State Railway of Thailand will require as many as 25 million rubber planks, worth a total of 1.5 billion baht.
The quality of rubber used in plank production will be further tested to assure its durability in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
