A series of cascading crises in 2020 — from the COVID-19 pandemic, economic volatility, sudden realization and behavioral changes induced by social issues such as climate crisis and waste management — has posed additional challenges to the corporate where businesses not only have to solve business-as-usual problems but also develop solutions to address issues arising from the recent pandemic circumstances in order to thrive in a sustainable way.
Chemicals Business, SCG, realizes the magnitude of urgent situations and is prepared to drive business activities in line with the sustainable development approach vigorously and continuously. The company has integrated the circular economy into its operations to achieve sustainable development goals based on three crucial dimensions: economy, society, and environment. For 2021, Chemicals Business, SCG, has announced the economic roadmap in four areas to speed up the progress toward United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Design for Recyclability
An article published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) states: “Should the global population reach 9.6 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.” And that is the key reason why the United Nations make responsible consumption and production one of the 17 SDGs, SDG 12, which seeks to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Design for Recyclability is one of four areas under the 2021 circular economy roadmap that Chemicals Business, SCG, aims to turn into reality. Among key examples to reflect the effort is the development of recycling-friendly mono-material solutions. Furthermore, SCG also develops SMXTM technology to enable plastic with superior performance but less consumption of virgin plastic with a greater proportion of recycled plastic content.
Scale Up Plastic Recycling
The world’s surging waste crisis stems from the take-make-dispose cycle known as the linear economy, where resources are used to make a product and thrown away after its use. Such an approach has brought about rapid resource depletion and environmental impacts arising from waste problems.
To provide the solution to the issues, Chemicals Business, SCG has developed PCR (Post-consumer recycled plastic) and has been involved in wide-ranging collaborations. One of the major partnerships is with SUEZ, a key player in plastic recycling with nine specialist facilities worldwide to develop and add value to plastic waste. The collaboration has been well-received by world-class plastic packaging manufacturers and brand owners. Besides, Chemicals Business, SCG also promotes innovation adoption to establish the circular economy as a way to reduce or solve problems or pollution caused by plastic waste in society and the environment.
Enhance with High Technologies
Another important area of the 2021 circular economic roadmap Chemicals Business, SCG, has achieved by far is Chemical Recycling. This approach uses technology to turn post-consumer plastics into renewable feedstock or green polymer for petrochemical plants, a sustainable approach in line with the circular economy.
At the initial stage, Chemicals Business, SCG, has advanced chemical recycling technology by using a catalyst to reduce temperatures of the process, an environmentally-friendly means to curtail energy consumption and plastic waste problems in Thailand. Furthermore, the company has established Thailand’s first demonstration plant on Rayong with a production capacity of 4,000 tons of renewable feedstock per year. The capacity expansion is at hand.
Accelerate the Development of Bioplastics
SCG develops active collaborations with research and development networks both at home and overseas. It has set a goal to produce the bioplastics from agricultural raw materials, to not only be an alternative materials sciences solution but also in line with three SDGs outlined by United Nations, which are SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, and SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
All four areas in the circular economy roadmap cover the end-to-end supply chain from the plastic resin design that aims to minimize resource usage yet effective performance to the post-use plastic recycling with innovation and advanced technology. With this roadmap, Chemicals Business, SCG is on track toward “Chemicals Business for Sustainability,” focusing on conducting business activities meeting SDGs and ESG to improve people’s quality of life, communities, society, and the environment sustainably. SCG is ready to cooperate with all sectors to bring about mutual and sustainable growth.
