Shimadzu 1st Global Hemp and Cannabis Summit 2022
The First-Ever Summit To Meet Emerging Analytical Instrumentation Needs
Shimadzu is the first analytical instrumentation vendor to help customers with Hemp and Cannabis testing needs. Starting from the US, we now see the same need rising in Thailand. On 2nd December 2022, Shimadzu 1st Global Hemp and Cannabis Summit 2022 was held in Thailand, Bangkok. The Summit was held at NSTDA Characterization and Testing Service Center (NCTC), our long-term customer of 8 years that offers a multitude of services.
As Thailand takes the lead to become the first country in Asia to legalize Hemp and Cannabis for medical purposes, new market opportunities and growth potential have been unlocked, with the market value expected to reach US$ 52.8 billion by 2027. With much interest and discussion, it is evident that the pharmaceutical industry is facing potentially game-changing disruptions.
A Special Welcome To Mr Suchart Trisangrujira, Advisor to the Minister of Industry, Thailand
We are honoured to have Mr Suchart Trisangrujira, Advisor to the Minister of Industry of Thailand, to preside over Shimadzu 1st Global Hemp and Cannabis Summit 2022.
At the Summit, Mr Suchart Trisangrujira shared the current trends in using Hemp and Cannabis for medicinal purposes in Thailand. He emphasized that the active ingredients, namely cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as other potentially harmful contaminants, must be rigorously characterized by world-class laboratories in compliance with international standards.
In this regard, Mr Suchart Trisangrujira mentioned how NSTDA and NCTC had implemented the standard guideline ISO/IEC-17025 for characterizing the Hemp and Cannabis products, which have significantly contributed to the research and development of the country. This standardized characterizing technology helps promote medical research and industries in Thailand.
As a token of appreciation, Mr Tetsuya Tanigaki, Managing Director of Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) presented a symbolic Thai souvenir to both Mr Suchart Trisangrujira and Dr Natthaphon Wuttiphan, Director of NCTC.
Insightful Discussions into the Regulatory Trends and Shimadzu's Total Solutions to Testing Needs
Our esteemed speaker Dr Natta Wiriyakun, Team Leader of the Chemical Analysis Laboratory in NCTC, delivered an in-depth presentation on the applications of Hemp and Cannabis in food, beverage, or cosmetic products based on the latest regulatory perspectives in Thailand. The presentation also covered how NCTC can provide reliable and robust cannabis-related analysis (ISO 17025 certified) with Shimadzu's leading-edge instruments.
Ms Liw Wan Tung, Assistant Product Manager of Shimadzu (Asia Pacific), then shared about Shimadzu's Total Solutions for Hemp and Cannabis. This includes accurate potency testing and terpene profiling, contamination testing for pesticides, residual solvents, heavy metals, and mycotoxins/aflatoxins to ensure high quality and safety. During the presentation, Shimadzu's workflow solutions were also discussed in detail on how they can help overcome the challenges and pain points in the analysis.
The session was wrapped up with an engaging panel discussion conducted by Dr Natthaphon Wuttiphan, Dr Natta Wiriyakun, and Ms. Liw Wan Tung. With Hemp and Cannabis testing being a new topic, there was an overwhelming response from the audience who enthusiastically asked questions regarding Thailand regulations and the future of Hemp and Cannabis in Asia.
Embarking on Shimadzu's End-To-End Hemp and Cannabis Laboratory Tour with NCTC
The next section of the Summit was the highly anticipated laboratory tour, which covered four stations:
- Cannabis Analytical Testing Center (Cannabis Analyzer, LCMS, GCMS)
- Food Analysis Lab (LC/LC-MS/LC-MS-MS GC/GC-MS/GC-MS-MS)
- Imaging Mass Spectrometry Lab (iMScope)
- Advanced Surface & Elemental Lab (EPMA & XPS)
This was an eye-opening experience for many customers who were impressed with the state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with Shimadzu's leading-edge instruments.
Some comments from the customers include:
"There are a lot of analytical instruments, not just GC and LCMS but also image processing machines which we can develop the analysis for other samples in my work."
– Dr Ruengwit Sawangkeaw, Researcher at The Institute of biotechnology and genetic engineering, Chulalongkorn University
"The laboratory tour that we have visited was excellent with world-class facilities there."
– Dr Nirpendra Kumar Chauhan, Director of Centre For Aromatic Plants
Deep Dive into Hemp and Cannabis at the Asia International Hemp Expo 2022
All our participants were invited to Asia International Hemp Expo 2022, which connects all like-minded professionals together to collaborate, network, and seek deeper information into the future of Hemp and Cannabis in Thailand.
The Expo had 2 zones in total – a Planting Zone that covers plantation and processing technology, and a Production Zone that covers the applications of Hemp and Cannabis in products such as Food & Beverages, Fashion, Cosmetics, Dietary Supplements, Automotive Parts and more.
Together with our partner, Bara Scientific, we set up a booth at the Expo to showcase our end-to-end testing solutions. The booth was well-received by many global customers who came to learn more about our products, including the Cannabis Analyzer LC-2050 and LCMS-8060 NX.
Celebrating Event Success with Customers' Testimonials
"It is a great event for Thailand because this is the first Global Cannabis Event. This event will push the use of cannabis for medical purposes in the industry, not just in Thailand but also for the other ASEAN countries."
– Dr Suchada Chaisawadi, Director of Office and Finance of National Biopharmaceutical Facility, KMUTT
"Shimadzu has helped me as a researcher to open my eyes and improve my knowledge. I am very supportive of such event for the future and for your beloved customers."
– Dr Rita Andini, Researcher at Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN)
"Shimadzu is great because they are very good collaborators for collaboration. I am currently working with Shimadzu Malaysia, where we are developing SOPs for potency testing. Hence, I also have a good working relationship with the Shimadzu (Asia Pacific)."
– Dr Saravana Kumar Jayaram, Chemist at Jabatan Kimia Malaysia Department of Chemistry Malaysia
