BMT Asia Hosts Technical Visit Supporting Thailand’s Implementation of the Minamata Convention

Samut Prakarn – 7 November 2025

BMT Asia Co., Ltd. welcomed a delegation from the Pollution Control Department (PCD) of Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Sub-Regional Office in Thailand; and the Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, for a technical visit and site tour of its mercury-contaminated waste treatment facility. The visit highlighted BMT’s Thermal Desorption and Vacuum Distillation Technology, the company’s core process for the safe and effective treatment of mercury-bearing waste.

The visit was conducted under a national capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening Thailand’s implementation of its obligations under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The project supports the effective application of the Convention’s provisions while contributing to the development and enhancement of Thailand’s National Mercury Inventory and Material Flow Analysis (MFA) in alignment with international standards. The initiative is supported by funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

During the visit, BMT Asia guided the delegation through key operational areas of the facility, including mercury-related analytical laboratories, hazardous waste storage areas, and the Production Control Room. The company presented an overview of its end-to-end mercury waste management process, covering waste reception, treatment through closed-system vacuum distillation, and the recovery of purified liquid mercury. The process is designed to minimize environmental impact while prioritizing human health, operational safety, and long-term sustainability.

Mr. Kasper Brakenhoff, Chief Executive Officer of BMT International, welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with Thai authorities and academic partners in support of the country’s commitments under the Minamata Convention. He emphasized that effective mercury management requires close cooperation across government, academia, and industry.

“BMT is proud to contribute its technical expertise to this collaborative effort, supporting Thailand in strengthening its mercury management framework in a safe, transparent, and sustainable manner,” Mr. Brakenhoff said.

He also noted that BMT’s operations extend beyond Thailand, with the company originating in the Netherlands in 1991. For more than three decades, BMT’s operations in both Europe and Asia have shared the same mission: the rigorous, safe, and environmentally responsible management of mercury-contaminated waste to protect human health and ecosystems across all regions of operation.

Mr. Chairat Nattakittikoson, Managing Director of BMT Asia Co., Ltd., added that the company operates under a Zero Waste to Landfill policy and has a treatment capacity of up to 2,800 tons of mercury-contaminated waste per year. All treatment processes are conducted within fully closed systems to strictly control and prevent emissions to the environment.

“At BMT Asia, the safe and proper management of mercury-contaminated waste is our highest priority,” Mr. Chairat said. “Retorting or vacuum distillation technology is the safest approach for protecting workers, the environment, and ecosystems in both the short and long term. While alternative treatment methods may offer lower operational costs, vacuum distillation provides assurance that mercury is not released into soil, water, or air, and that biodiversity and surrounding communities are protected. We remain firmly committed to operating at the highest standards and to advancing sustainable mercury management in Thailand and beyond.”

As a specialist in mercury-contaminated waste treatment, BMT Asia combines technical expertise with a strong commitment to environmental protection and public health. The company welcomes collaboration with organizations pursuing safe, sustainable, and internationally aligned mercury management solutions. For further information, please contact InfoBMTP@bmt-mercury.com