Session: Special Symposium on the Aluminum Industry: Advancing the Aluminum Industry through Technology, Sustainability, and Thailand–Japan Collaboration
Date: Thursday 12 November 2026
Time: 09:00 – 12:00
Venue: Jupiter 12 – IMPACT Challenger, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani
Co-organizer: University of Toyama

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The aluminum industry plays an increasingly important role in supporting sustainable manufacturing, lightweight transportation, renewable energy, infrastructure, and the circular economy. However, the industry continues to face challenges related to energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, raw-material dependency, recycling efficiency, product quality, and the integration of recycled aluminum into high-value manufacturing applications.

This special symposium will provide a platform for researchers, industry representatives, universities, professional associations, and relevant stakeholders from Thailand and Japan to exchange knowledge on aluminum recycling, sustainable processing technologies, resource efficiency, and emerging research and innovation. Co-organized with the University of Toyama, the session will also promote industry-university collaboration and identify potential areas for joint research, technology development, personnel exchange, and long-term cooperation to strengthen Thailand’s aluminum manufacturing ecosystem.

Objectives

  1. To exchange knowledge on current trends, technologies, and research developments in sustainable aluminum manufacturing and recycling.
  2. To discuss the current status, key challenges, and future opportunities of Thailand’s aluminum industry.
  3. To explore research and innovation approaches that improve resource efficiency, recycled-material utilization, product quality, and environmental performance.
  4. To promote collaboration among Thai and Japanese universities, research institutes, industries, and relevant associations.
  5. To identify potential areas for future joint research, technology transfer, capacity building, and industry-academia partnerships.

Program

Time Topics Speaker 
09:00 – 09:10 Opening Session Assoc. Prof. Toemsak Srikhirin
Executive Director of National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), NSTDA, Thailand
09:10 – 09:30 From Scrap to High-Performance Alloys: Overcoming Metallurgical Bottlenecks in Circular Aluminum Prof. Dr. Chaowalit Limmaneevichitr
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi
09:30 – 09:50 Aluminum Dross Research in Japan Assoc. Prof. Takehito Hiraki
University of Toyama, Japan
09:50 – 10:10 To be announced Asst. Prof. Dr. Chaiyasit Banjongprasert
Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University
10:10 – 10:20 Refreshment
10:20 – 10:40 Aluminum Recycle Industry in Japan Dr. Makoto Harita
Harita Co., Ltd.,Japan
10:40 – 11:00 Sustainability in Aluminum Processing Asst. Prof. Tatsuya Funazuka
University of Toyama, Japan
11:00 – 11:45 Panel Discussion

“The Next Move for Thailand-Japan Collaboration to Foster Aluminum Industry and Research Community”

Panelists:

  • Prof. Kuniaki Dohda
    University of Toyama, Japan
  • Assoc. Prof. Takehito Hiraki
    University of Toyama, Japan
  • Asst. Prof. Tatsuya Funazuka
    University of Toyama, Japan
  • Mr. Atipat Khuwinichakul
    The Aluminum Club, The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) 
  • Dr. Ekkarut Viyanit
    National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), NSTDA 

Moderator:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Numpon Mahayotsanun, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB)
11:45 – 11:55 Open Discussion and Q&A

Summary of key recommendations and potential areas for future collaboration

 All Speakers
11:55 – 12:00 Closing Remarks Prof. Kuniaki Dohda
Special Advisor to the President of University of Toyama, Japan

Note: The program is subject to change without prior notice.

Speakers & Moderator

Assoc. Prof. Toemsak Srikhirin
Executive Director of National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), NSTDA, Thailand		 Prof. Dr. Chaowalit Limmaneevichitr
Vice President of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand		 Assoc. Prof. Takehito Hiraki
University of Toyama, Japan		 Asst. Prof. Dr. Chaiyasit Banjongprasert
Head of the Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Thailand		 Dr. Makoto Harita
President of Harita Co., Ltd., Japan
Asst. Prof. Tatsuya Funazuka
University of Toyama, Japan		 Prof. Kuniaki Dohda
University of Toyama, Japan		 Mr. Atipat Khuwinichakul
The Aluminum Club, The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)		 Dr. Ekkarut Viyanit
National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), NSTDA		 Asst. Prof. Dr. Numpon Mahayotsanun
King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB)

 

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