Mars Petcare Opens First Comprehensive Pet Food R&D Center in Asia Pacific in Thailand

Somchuan Ratanamungklanon (D.V.M.), Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Thawatchai Srithong, Governor of Chonburi and Dr. M.L. Narudee Kashemsant, President of the Veterinary Practitioners Association of Thailand (VPAT) were the guests of honor at the grand opening of the Mars Petcare APAC Pet Center at AMATA City Chonburi industrial estate.

Dr. Jaruk Srikiatden, Director of Research and Development Asia, Mars Petcare (Thailand) Co., Ltd., who presided over the event, revealed that APAC Pet Center is Mars' first pet food research and development center in the Asia Pacific region and first automated pet food R&D center in Thailand with a total area of 3,630sqm, designed according to the standards of an int. pet food research institute, with the objective to support product development by providing testing services for Mars products from the Asia Pacific region. As well as to be a center for exchange and sharing knowledge about pet food among industry professionals, students, veterinarians and researchers.

Photo (from left): Mr. Osamu Sudo, Sales & Marketing Department Manager, AMATA Corporation PCL., Mr. Thawatchai Srithong, Mr. Viboon Kromadit, Director and Chief Marketing Officer, AMATA Corporation PCL., Dr. Jaruk Srikiatden and Executives of Mars Petcare (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

At the ceremony, Mr. Somchuan Ratanamungklanon said "The establishment of the Asia Pacific Pet Food Research and Development Center in Thailand proves to the world the potential of the pet food business in Thailand as one of the world's top exporters of animal feed products."

Dr. M.L. Narudee Kashemsant said that the significant growth in pet ownership has surged a demand for veterinary care and the development of competencies in the veterinary profession. "The launch of the state-of-the-art "APAC Pet Center" including veterinarians as co-developers demonstrates Thailand's potential to develop the pet food industry; it will create a reputation for Thai veterinarians to be internationally recognized and will help grow the veterinary profession in Thailand." 

All dogs and cats at APAC Pet Center are looked after and groomed in accordance with animal welfare principles emphasizing on physical and emotional well-being. The state-of-the-art APAC Pet Center has been awarded LEED Gold certification and also applied circular economy principles, for example, benches and outdoor floor bricks are made from recycled pet food packaging.

Thailand is the World’s 3rd Largest Pet Food Exporter

Thailand's pet food exports from January to September 2022 reached 74.97 billion baht (US$2.1 billion), increasing 34.4 percent year-on-year. As of today, the United States is the biggest market worth 21.5 billion baht, followed by Japan (8.41 billion baht) and Italy. Thailand is currently the worlds’ third largest pet food exporter behind Germany and the US.