GC Accelerates the Concept of the Circular Economy Through Collaborations that Focus on Circular Living and Revolutionize the Efficient Use of Resources

Mr. Supattanapong Panmeechao, Chief Executive Officer and President of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, said that GC, as a leading provider of chemical innovations, is focused on improving quality of life and has long recognized the importance of the resource revolution in line with the principles of the Circular Economy, which aims to conserve natural resources. As part of the company's efforts, GC organized the "Circular Living Symposium 2019: Upcycling Our Planet" in partnership with National Geographic, a global non-profit organization committed to exploring and protecting the planet, to share ideas that contribute to a better future for the world through the principles of the Circular Economy and by adopting GC's Circular Living lifestyle. The Symposium included many leading domestic and international thinkers and experts who shared their insights and ideas. It also offered opportunities to network with partners from diverse sectors to truly develop a Circular Economy in line with the Thai government's policy.

"GC's internal and external operational practices have applied the principles of the Circular Economy to optimize resource efficiency. For example, we are committed to waste management by following the 5Rs throughout our organization, which are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Renewable, and Refuse. GC is also developing bioplastics, a material that is biodegradable and an alternative to single-use plastics, as part of our strategy to end the production of single-use plastic resins within five years, by 2024," said Mr. Supattanapong.

This coincides with GC's increasing cooperation with several partners to implement effective waste management approaches through several projects and activities. They include the "Upcycling the Oceans, Thailand" project in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Ecoalf Foundation, in which a collection of fashionable products were made from upcycled plastic waste collected from the seas around Thailand. The project was important in demonstrating how recycled materials could go through the upcycling process to create value-added products. GC also set up a joint venture with Sarn Palung Social Enterprise Company Limited (SPSE) to launch the "Upcycling SE" project, which works with communities to conduct effective waste management by transforming recycled plastic bottles using innovative technology to produce value-added fashionable products for sale under the "Upcycling by GC" trademark.

"In addition, GC is focused on developing suitable plastic packaging, along with its proper use and management, as well as reuse in line with the principles of the Circular Economy to ensure maximum benefits. GC is seeking a variety of partners to research and produce integrated quality circular plastic resin. GC has been working with ALPLA, a global expert in the development and production of food-grade plastic packaging solutions, to conduct a study on joint investing in the first high-quality circular plastic recycling plant in Thailand, including materials; namely rPET and rHDPE. We will review the results of the study to make the final investment decision in the third quarter of this year. This is yet another important step in expanding our collaboration with partners across several sectors to drive the Circular Economy and increase sustainability for Thailand's plastics industry," added Mr. Supattanapong.

Mr. Bernd Wachter, Regional Managing Director of ALPLA Southeast Asia, said, "ALPLA has been a world leader in the development and production of plastic packaging solutions over the past 60 years, with operations in 176 manufacturing locations worldwide across 45 countries including Thailand. The company is expanding our business to PET recycling. Currently, ALPLA has our own PET recycling plants in the EU and Latin America, and it's our pleasure to be collaborating with GC. With our considerable experience and advanced technology, ALPLA will support GC's integrated plastic recycling plant, which will have the capability to produce quality recycled plastic resin and will serve as a model for the country and region..

GC encourages everyone to take part in protecting the environment by adopting a Circular Living lifestyle that supports the efficient use of resources. This can easily be done by reducing and separating waste, as well as maximizing the use of plastic by reusing, recycling, and upcycling through creativity and innovation, and also choosing eco-friendly products. Everyone can help to take care our planet and conserve its environment for future generations.

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