23 Thai Private Organizations Signed Cooperation Agreement, CECI: Action for Sustainable Future, Paving Path for the Sustainable Growth of Thailand's Construction Industry

23 private organizations participating in this signing are Trusty Project Management Company Limited, Team Consulting Engineering and Management Public Company Limited, Architect 49 Limited, EEC Engineering Network Company Limited, Central Pattana Public Company Limited, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited, TCC Assets (Thailand) Company Limited, Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand) Company Limited, Supalai Public Company Limited, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited, Singha Estate Public Company Limited, SC Asset Corporation Public Company Limited, Christiani and Nielsen (Thai) Public Company Limited, Thai Obayashi Corporation Limited, Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company Limited, Pornpranakorn Company Limited, Ritta Company Limited, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, SCG Cement-Building Materials Company Limited., Khor Recycle Company Limited, GEPP SA-ARD Company Limited, The Concrete Products and Aggregate Company Limited and Watkinson (Thailand) Company Limited.

Mr. Nithi Patarachoke, President, Cement and Building Materials Business, SCG, as a representative from Supplier/ Distributor Sector, revealed that "CECI, or the Circular Economy in Construction Industry, was established in 2018 starting from a meeting. jointly between the executives of the private partners in the Thai construction industry from upstream to downstream. We have a common ideology and see the significance of Circular Economy as one of the most important approaches to help manage the problem of waste materials in the construction industry by using resources efficiently and aiming to operate an environmental-friendly construction industry - also known as Green Construction -- in order to create a good quality of life and provide social returns.

SCG, as a construction materials manufacturer and distributor, has joined the CECI group since its establishment. Giving importance to the development of building materials, services, and environmental-friendly solutions, the company emphasizes resource efficiency through the most efficient production process that responds to energy conservation, product lifetime extension, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This will help reduce the impact of global warming and enhance hygiene for residents through products, services, and solutions certified with the "SCG Green Choice" label. Moreover, SCG has also applied digital technology to environmental-friendly construction processes under the brand "CPAC Green Solution", which will help shorten construction time, increase accuracy, reduce resource usage, minimize costs, and reduce material waste from the construction site.

From Developer / Owner Sector, Mr. Juthatham Chirathivat, Head of Business Development, Central Pattana Public Company Limited, revealed, "Throughout 40 years, Central Pattana has had a project development concept in parallel with sustainable urban development from the department store design process, choosing environmental-friendly building materials to setting a goal to be a model organization for managing construction waste. The project also includes the recycling of pile waste as well as the use of alternative resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The partnership with CECI is believed to make the design and construction of upcoming projects that are now under development align with a circular economy approach. This combines the concept of urbanity with more environmental-friendly practices. For example, concrete scraps from pile heads that are cut from foundation work are crushed and used as a substitute for roadside materials in the Central Sriracha and Central Chanthaburi projects. The total amount of pile waste recycled was 4,000 tons. Additionally, this concept of circular design and sustainable material is to be applied in the Dusit Central Park project as well. Central Pattana is ready to expand cooperation to create change together with everyone to drive and propel society. We all have a responsibility to the public in building a sustainable ecosystem for people, communities, and the environment."

Mr. Suttha Ruengchaipaiboon, President, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited. Also commented, "MQDC has clear guidelines for business development in the residences, commercial buildings, offices, department stores as well as service businesses, under the mission "For All Well-Being". With a policy that emphasizes the environment, the efficient use of natural resources, and waste management, MQDC has made part of the circular economy process a reality in order to reduce waste from construction projects. For example, the building cover nets used for preventing dust and danger during construction were changed into shopping bags in department stores. Likewise, concretes from the pile heads, which were cut off and taken out as waste outside the construction site, were reprocessed to be used again in construction sites. The CECI Group is a multi-sector collaboration between stakeholders who have the same commitment and determination to initiate and drive activities that promote circular economy processes. Whether it is cooperating between partners, exchanging knowledge or building on knowledge to drive new innovations, these actions aim to achieve sustainable efficiency in the construction industry."

Mr. Vichai Kulsomphob, President & CEO, Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited, added, "Sahapat has always given importance to business operations that are environmental-friendly and used as a guideline for business operations. It is, therefore, the origin of the pilot project development that Sahapat has developed with several partners in the construction industry in the CECI group, under the name of KingBridge Tower Rama 3. It is designed under the concept of The Spirit of Synergy because we believe that the synergy between good partners will yield better results. This building is considered a model building for energy and environment conservation in Thailand because of the design elements of the building coupled with environmental-friendly construction technology, the selection of recycled materials in construction as well as energy efficiency. This is the starting point for the development of other systems and projects that will be more efficient to drive the construction industry towards sustainable development."

Mr. Kecha Thirakomen, Chairman of Board of Directors and Managing Director, EEC Engineering Network Company Limited, a representative from Architect / Consultant Sector, said that "EEC Engineering Network Group is an engineering consultant, and Unisus is a company that develops utilities and energy innovations. We both have the same goal with the CECI group in driving sustainable development processes and solving environmental crises. Moreover, apart from creating a cycle that is a value chain, using resources efficiently, and reducing waste, the circular economy is also related to energy, environment, well-being, and carbon emission reduction. The EEC Group and Unisus play an important role in the design and construction of many important future projects, such as mixed-use projects, New Town development, and Eco Industry projects. They all aim to achieve carbon neutrality, which is a transformation towards the construction industry."

As for the contractor sector, Dr. Teeradetch Tungsubutra, Chief Executive Officer, Ritta Company Limited said, "The circular economy principle from the perspective of the construction company may be difficult to execute because the products in this industry have a relatively long period of use. Also, when they are no longer in use, the products are often newly constructed based on modern design. However, the circular economy principle can still be applied during various construction processes, such as the reduction of packaging materials, waste management, reduction of consumables, the management of leftovers from the construction process for reuse as well as the reduction of energy and water usage. There are also good examples from many companies in the construction industry and a driving force that helps us try to create new innovations or guidelines that will help drive the circular economy for creating sustainability and reducing environmental problems for the next generations."

Mr. Kamolwat Veerasupakarn, Chief Operation Officer, Watkinson (Thailand) Company Limited, a representative from Waste Management Sector, revealed that "Watkinson has been given opportunities from many organizations from CECI to experiment with recycling concrete from pile heads for land reclamation or as a replacement for crushed stone in many construction projects. This gives us the opportunity to participate in the development of the Thai construction industry, especially the road construction using recycled materials to reduce leftovers from the construction industry. We strongly believe that recycled materials managed by Watkinson can replace natural raw materials. Although there are challenges towards higher cost management, what I want all of us to see together is the natural and environmental costs that we have to consider and maintain to ensure that the good resources are preserved."

The CECI Group expects the changes that will occur in the Thai construction industry. This starts with an understanding of circular economy principle which will lead to the acceptance and application of circular economy principle in the construction industry in a concrete manner. Because of this, all 23 organizations are ready to serve as models for innovation development, passing on the knowledge to help elevate entrepreneurs in the Thai construction industry in order to move towards green construction in the future and for sustainable growth together.

For more information about the circular economy in construction industry (CECI), please visit https://www.facebook.com/CECIOfficialpage/

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