PTTGC, Indorama lead circular economy drive

PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) is working on making its business more sustainable, trying to create a circular economy in which waste and emissions from industrial processes are reduced by conserving materials and recycling byproducts back into the system, says an executive.

Warawan Tippawanich, senior vice-president of corporate affairs at PTTGC, was speaking at “Global Business Dialogue 2018: Innovating for Sustainable Future”, which was organised by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Thai Management Association to share new solutions for meeting the UN 2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

Some 300 participants gathered at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel for the two-day forum that included lectures, showcases and group workshops focused on environmental responsibility in business.

“PTTGC has been engaging in the circular economy for 10 years already and during the past two years has focused on plastic with solutions through innovation,” Mrs Warawan said. “Our successful collaborations drive green technology that contributes to four major sustainable development goals.”

PTTGC implemented a successful underwater plastic collection programme on Koh Samet in Rayong and in Phuket, working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and local residents.

The Rayong programme reached its goal of collecting more than 10 tonnes of plastic from the sea and transforming it into clothing fabric.

PTTGC has also developed hardware and software used to make industrial processes more resource-efficient.

Mrs Warawan said PTTGC is committed to becoming a model of sustainable development, focusing on social responsibility and engaging stakeholders in the operations framework.

Another initiative featured at the forum was from Thai-based Indorama Ventures, one of the world’s biggest petrochemical firms, and Loop Industries, an innovator in sustainable plastic resin and polyester. The two companies launched a joint venture to make and commercialise sustainable polyester resin.

Indorama provides manufacturing services, while Loop offers proprietary tech to make 100% sustainable and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and polyester fibre.

“20,000 plastic bottles are produced every second,” said Indorama vice-president Richard Jones. “Less than 50% is collected for recycling, and only 7% is turned into new bottles.”

The joint venture touts 100% sustainably made plastics for use in beverage packaging and consumer packaged goods.

“Recycled PET has benefits for job creation, reduced crude oil consumption, landfill reduction and CO2 footprint reduction, which are all supporting the sustainable development goals,” Mr Jones said.

He also cited a poll of Thai citizens that found Thais are quite aware of PET, and on the contrary to what most perceive, most were willing to purchase recycled PET bottles, provided that such bottles are safe, hygienic and approved by a state agency.

Changing consumer behaviour without corporate or government intervention will be a tough challenge moving forward, Mr Jones said.