On June 14, 2023, Khon Kaen University and Lily Pharma celebrated another success by launching the Nanoemulsion Homogenizer Machine, a high-performance technology that elevates the quality of food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products, fertilizers, and etc. This machine applies for nanoemulsion techniques by shearing active substances in oil or water phase into nanoemulsion with particle size less than one hundred nanometers.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, the President of Khon Kaen University, mentioned the policy on the university’s startup incubation that a private sector as a majority of shareholding has to analyze on market demand for innovative products and examines possibility on production process. The next step is to let researchers of startup venture develops the methodology to create competitive products. Finally, the startup will turn the prototype into the production line and marketing. University's role is to support research apparatus and equipment, laboratory testing, product certifying, and providing experts from various faculties. This collaboration between Khon Kaen University and Miss Lily company has founded KKU Miss Lily Holding Co.,Ltd. In 2022, Lily Pharma Co.,Ltd. a wholly owned by the holding company, has been developing the nanoemulsion technology in various
products such as N-Dro care mouth spray, Nanoemulsion acne gel, hair growth nanoemulsion serum, and others.

This nanoemulsion homogenizer machine’s invention marks the first success in the ASEAN region, aligning with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation's policy to promote collaboration between the private sector and universities, disseminating research knowledge to the market.

Prof. Dr. Monchai Duangjinda, Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies described about the direction of research in nanoemulsion technology focusing on the delivery of active substances in nanoemulsion form. Nanoemulsions are kinetically stable oil-in-water or water-in-oil dispersions with droplet sizes under 100 nanometers (nm). Small size droplets have useful properties such as transparent appearance, high surface area per unit volume, rapid absorption, and less usage of active ingredients. This will certainly improve the quality of life. The trend of nanoemulsion products in the next decade will have big impact in pharmaceutical industry, agro-industry such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, cosmetic industry, food and veterinary medicine industry, and etc. However, Thai industries still have an obstacle on machinery’s high cost.

Therefore, Khon Kaen University and Lily Pharma aimed to create advanced technology on nanoemulsion from the laboratory to the industrial scale. We are currently conducting research on many fields including food supplements and insecticides and herbicides in the form of nanoemulsion.

Mr. Rawat Chindapol, CEO of KKU Miss Lily Holding Co.,Ltd. revealed that Lily Pharma Co., Ltd. has been closely collaborating with Khon Kaen University for almost two years in developing nanoemulsion technology since its inception. The nanoemulsion homogenizer machine is a fruitful result of their efforts to bring high quality performance of industrial scaled machine with particle’s size less than 100 nanometers (nm) to the market.
In Thailand, manufacturers are not ready to invest in nanoemulsion homogenizer due to price tag. The 300-500 liters of high pressure Nanoemulsion Homogenizer can cost more than 100 million Baht for European machines. Therefore, we, as a pioneer, are willing to help Thailand moving forward to this technology by assisting Thai companies to turn their products applicable to nanoemulsion technology into market. We can research the techniques in product development and licensing our machines to potential Thai companies. For further details, contact Ms. Sirin at +66 (086-319-0270).

This machine with a unique design has been invented by Lily Pharma engineers and scientists, said Dr. Thapakorn Upara, Chief of Technology Officer. He explained further, the outstanding performances of this high speed nanoemulsion homogenizer are vertical multiple head, faster output, higher intensity, particle less than 100 nm, less breakdown, low maintenance cost, less energy consumption, less noise, less size, and of course less investment compared to high pressure nanoemulsion homogenizer. He said “our operating system is a fully automation can be run by normal skill operators with capacity up to 300 liters. The system has an oil phase mixer, water phase mixer, and vacuum nanoemulsion mixer. All of mixers have temperature control function by water bath. Machine materials are made of food grade stainless steel to ensure health safety.