ผลงานตีพิมพ์ทั้งหมด

Environmental sustainability assessment of sustainable aviation fuel production from palm oil and palm derivatives

Oscar Punguti, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala

Biomass Futures · 2026

The sustainability of palm oil as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remains contested due to land use change (LUC) associated with oil palm expansion and methane emissions from palm oil mill effluent, despite its high yield per hectare. This study assessed the environmental sustainability of SAF derived from palm oil and its derivatives within the Thailand supply chain under different Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification levels and hydrogen production pathways. The life cycle assessment was conducted using a well-to-tank system boundary, including direct and indirect land use change (dLUC and iLUC). Global warming impacts ranged from 9.7 to 68.2 gCO 2 eq/MJ across all scenarios, corresponding to a 23-89% reduction relative to conventional jet fuel (89 gCO 2 eq/MJ). Sensitivity analysis showed substantially higher emissions under higher-risk forest conversion assumptions. However, the relative low baseline dLUC values reflect Thailand's specific land conversion patterns and may not be representative of other palm-producing regions characterized by high-carbon stock land conversion. RSPO-certified pathways combined with renewable hydrogen demonstrated improved environmental performance across midpoint and endpoint impact categories, while by-product and waste-based pathways showed lower impacts due to the exclusion of upstream cultivation and milling burdens. Achieving low environmental impacts from palm-based SAF production requires integrated implementation of: (i) optimized agricultural inputs, including precision fertilization and integrated pest management, (ii) methane capture and utilization from palm oil mill effluent, (iii) adoption of low-carbon hydrogen, (iv) avoidance of high-carbon stock land conversion, and (v) improved process efficiency and yield optimization.

Material Recovery Trade-Offs Under Inverter-Controlled Operation of a Full-Scale Municipal Solid Waste Mechanical Treatment Line

Saw Shalton Roll, Noppharit Sutthasil, Sirintornthep Towprayoon, Suthum Patumsawad, Thapat Silalertruksa, Sakulrat Sutthiprapa, Abhisit Bhatsada, Komsilp Wangyao

Recycling · 2026

Mechanical treatment recovers combustible and recyclable fractions from mixed municipal solid waste (MSW), but full-scale performance is sensitive to front-end operation, line loading, and feedstock heterogeneity. This study examined material recovery trade-offs at a municipal mechanical treatment facility in Satun, Thailand. Four inverter-controlled regimes were assessed by adjusting the bag opener and trommel motor frequencies, giving measured line throughputs of 14.75, 13.45, 8.03, and 6.54 t·h−1. Output was classified as refuse-derived fuel (RDF), residual waste, recyclables, and bulky/loss material, with composition-based indicators of stream cleanliness and leakage. Each regime was a single short trial on waste from a different collection vehicle, without replication or input homogenization; no statistical comparison is possible, and results are reported as preliminary observations rather than isolated effects of inverter frequency. RDF yield fell from 42.06% of input at the highest throughput to 18.12% at the lowest, whereas recyclable recovery peaked at 4.95% under an intermediate regime that also returned the highest gross revenue. Residual-disposal methane generation potential was 7.78% higher under the lowest-throughput regime than under business-as-usual. Three trade-offs emerged: throughput against selectivity, RDF quantity against cleanliness, and recovery against leakage. The findings help operators select front-end settings on multi-criteria indicators rather than throughput alone.

Assessing the Effect of Intensive Rice Monoculture on Land Degradation Under the SDG 15.3.1 Framework

Nattaya Huailuek, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala

Agriculture · 2026

Rice monoculture systems, often involving double- or triple-cropping cycles annually, require intensive agricultural practices that can lead to land degradation. This study evaluates land degradation within the long-term rice monoculture systems of Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, using the Sustainable Development Goal 15.3.1 framework. By focusing exclusively on persistent rice-growing areas, the study minimized the confounding signals of land-use conversion, allowing for an evaluation of the trajectories driven by combined agricultural management and climatic factors. The assessment integrated land use and land cover (LULC), soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and land productivity. Findings indicate that 83% of the original paddy area remained long-term monoculture, with LULC-related degradation limited to 4% of the original paddy cultivation area. While SOC depletion was observed in a few districts, a broader potential carbon accretion trend was identified across the province, likely driven by sustainable post-harvest practices such as stubble retention and organic amendments. Land productivity analysis revealed partial stress only in a few districts. The study demonstrated that long-term rice cultivation did not result in widespread deterioration of soil health on an aggregate provincial scale; however, district-localized degradation hotspots suffering from soil organic carbon depletion and climate-induced productivity stress were identified, demanding targeted regional management.

Circular economy models of sugarcane biorefinery towards carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability

Shwe Yie Lin, Nicholas M. Holden, Romanee Thongdara, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Trakarn Prapaspongsa

Sustainable Production and Consumption · 2025

Sugarcane biorefineries convert sugarcane waste into bioproducts, requiring assessment for environmentally viable processing. This study compared the life cycle environmental impacts, environmental damage costs, and circularity of sugarcane biorefinery scenarios: a base case with pre-harvest cane trash burning and sugar and ethanol production; a modified one with improved energy efficiency; and three bioproduct scenarios producing bagasse-based biobutanol or biochar for bioenergy scenario, lactic or acetic acid for biochemicals, and cane trash-derived cellulose nanofibers or soil conditioner for biomaterials. Bioproduct scenarios assumed green cane harvesting. Life cycle assessment followed a cradle-to-gate scope, with a functional unit of 1 t of cane processed (t c ). Damage to human health ranged from 7.72 × 10 −4 to 2.85 × 10 −3 disability-adjusted life years/t c ; ecosystem from 4.85 × 10 −6 to 9.15 × 10 −6 species.year/t c ; resource scarcity from 10 to 60 United States dollar 2013/t c ; total damage costs from 2100 to 5410 Thai Baht/t c , and circularity from 0.44 to 0.52. Bioproduct scenarios, except cellulose nanofibers, had lower environmental damage costs than the base case. Biorefinery circularity aligned closely with the highest-value product in each scenario. Biochemical (lactic acid) was the best overall, with the lowest environmental damage cost and resource scarcity damage, relatively low human health and ecosystem damage, and a high circularity score of 0.5. Biomaterial (Cellulose nanofibers) was the worst due to its highest damage cost from the highest fossil resource scarcity, accounting for over 95 % of resources scarcity damage in all scenarios, and high-water consumption, despite minimum human health damage from the lowest fine particulate matter formation, leading contributor to human health damage mainly from cane burning and biomass electricity, and a high circularity of 0.52. The modified base case was slightly better than the base case across all metrics. Bioproduct scenarios increased circularity; however, higher circularity did not always correlate better environmental performance.

Life cycle environmental and economic viability analysis of CO2 utilization for chemical production in the cement sector

Adeel Rafiq, Jingzheng Ren, Navadol Laosiripojana, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala

Sustainable Production and Consumption · 2025

Implications of technological improvement and circular agriculture on environmental sustainability of sugarcane production

Aakriti Deuja, Min Hein Khant, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala, Trakarn Prapaspongsa

Cleaner Environmental Systems · 2025

The spatially differentiated environmental impacts and associated costs of technological improvement and circular agricultural practices in sugarcane production were assessed. Analysis of the cause-effect relationship between the key processes and substances each helped develop alternative scenarios for impact reduction. PM 2.5 emissions contributed to 92% of the total human health impacts from open burning of field residues. Freshwater ecotoxicity, mainly due to ametryn emissions from pesticide application, contributed to 47% of the total damage to the ecosystem. The environmental costs were 116% higher than the value of sugarcane production, signifying the critical importance of adopting alternative pathways that provide economic benefits from environmental cost reduction compared to the production value. Scenarios considering green cane harvesting and waste management approaches demonstrated high potential for total impact reduction of 99% and 97%, respectively, and economic gains of 202 and 225 billion THB, respectively (5.76 and 6.42 billion USD, respectively). The economic benefits of waste utilization were 137% higher than the value of sugarcane production, demonstrating the potential benefits of product substitution to help mitigate impacts. The core findings highlight the significance of the PM 2.5 impact-related external costs and underscore the benefits of adopting green cane harvesting in conjunction with on-field waste utilization to mitigate the impact of open burning and produce value-added products. Technological improvement and circular agricultural practices coupled with valuation of spatially differentiated impacts can provide useful and more accurate information to policymakers, to prioritize the implementation of mitigation strategies for enhancing the environmental sustainability of sugarcane production. • Improvement technologies for harvesting extend economic benefit of 5.76 billion USD • Circular agriculture yields economic gain of 6.42 billion USD by utilizing waste • Environmental cost of sugarcane production was 116% higher than production value • Economic benefits of waste utilization were 137% higher than production value

Circular Economy Strategies for Agri-food Production - a Review

Abass A. Gazal, Sébastien Bonnet, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala

Circular Economy and Sustainability · 2025

Towards low-carbon travel trips through carbon footprint: A case study of marine tourism in Sichang Island, Thailand

Thammananya Sakcharoen, Wilailuk Niyommaneerat, Thapat Silalertruksa

Cleaner Engineering and Technology · 2024

The growing concern over climate change has heightened the need for low-carbon tourism practices. The study aims to evaluate the carbon footprint of marine tourism on Sichang Island, Thailand. The carbon footprint assessment is set for the three travel trips identified based on the tourist's lifestyle: Route I: Merit-making trip, Route II: Nature trip, and Route III: Relaxation, Adventure, and Education. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calculation under each travel trip covers transportation, accommodation, meals, recreational activities, and waste management. The results revealed that the total GHG emissions for tourism routes I, II, and III are 9.9, 10.5, and 26.2 kg CO 2 e/person/trip, respectively. The study has analyzed the variations in carbon footprint results based on factors including the modes of transportation, i.e., ferry rides, high-speed boats, motorized three-wheeled vehicles (Tuk-Tuk), motorcycle and car rental; types of accommodation; food and beverage menu; recreational and marine tourism activities and solid waste management practices. The major contributors to the GHG emissions of routes I and II are the sea transport, meals, and land transport on the island. Route III has the highest carbon footprint because of the accommodation required for the tour program. The obtained carbon emission factors can be used to plan and manage marine tourism activities. By comparing activities, stakeholders can make informed decisions to minimize carbon footprints. The carbon emission reduction measures and the effective carbon offset programs for the island have been recommended. • The growing concern over climate change necessitates low-carbon tourism practices. • Carbon footprint of three travel routes based on tourist lifestyles were evaluated. • The findings guide policymakers in planning sustainable marine tourism activities. • Measures to mitigate tourism-related emissions were presented.

Enhanced Landfill Mining in Thailand: Policy Implications from Qualitative Case Study Analysis

Anupong Muttaraid, Sirintornthep Towprayoon, Chart Chiemchaisri, Thapat Silalertruksa, Komsilp Wangyao

Sustainability · 2024

Limited landfill capacity and increasing waste production present obstacles for the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Thailand, where 7.1 million tons of MSW were non-sanitarily managed in 2022. This provides an opportunity for the nation to recover valuable materials and energy from landfill waste through excavation by implementing the enhanced landfill mining technique, which is consistent with business sustainability goals. This study evaluates regulatory, financial, and institutional challenges to enhanced landfill mining implementation, identifying key barriers such as Thailand’s restriction on using refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in waste-to-energy (WtE) projects, despite its higher calorific value (18–24 MJ/kg compared to 13.7–16.6 MJ/kg for fresh MSW-derived RDF). Case studies, particularly from European nations, are comparatively evaluated using a combination of qualitative analysis methods. The results of this study highlight that the potential of enhanced landfill mining in Thailand is restricted by the prohibition of the use of RDF in WtE projects, as well as a lack of financial incentives to follow existing regulations. This demonstrates that the implementation of enhanced landfill mining could be facilitated by changing Thai regulations to permit the use of RDF in WtE projects and providing financial incentives such as tax credits and feed-in tariffs. Implementing such reforms can help Thailand achieve its sustainability objectives while reducing the amount of waste in landfills and generating energy.

Integrating the land–water–climate nexus approach with spatial-based sustainable agriculture production

Jutaporn Keson, Thapat Silalertruksa, Shabbir H. Gheewala

Agricultural Systems · 2024