Bangkok, Thailand – December 1, 2023 – Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Kao) has partnered with two leading global packaging experts, SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd. (SCGC) and Dow Thailand Group (Dow), to develop packaging designed for recyclability. The partnership aims to provide consumers with more sustainable packaging options, with a focus on high-quality packaging that has a lower carbon footprint and is recyclable. Today, the three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Dow Thailand's headquarters in True Digital Park West.
Kao, a leading manufacturer of consumer products from Japan including Attack, Biore, Haiter, Laurier and Magiclean, plan to use the new, sustainable packaging across a wide range of its product portfolio in Thailand in the near future. The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Kao Thailand President, Yuji Shimizu; SCGC Executive Director, Pisan Uawithya; and Dow Thailand President, Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai.
"Kao is delighted to partner with leading chemical companies such as SCGC and Dow to joint develop innovations for sustainable packaging based on the 4R principles: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace, which align with our ESG strategy or what we call the ’Kirei Lifestyle Plan,’” said Yuji Shimizu, Kao Thailand President “Kao is committed to achieving Zero Carbon Emission by 2040 in an effort to help mitigating global warming and climate change issues. This is why our business is seriously focused on energy conservation within our production plants and products design and development throughout product lifecycle to reduce carbon emissions. Moreover, we have a target of achieving net zero waste plastic packaging by 2040. Hence, Kao needs partners that are experts, strong, and have common goals, such as Dow and SCGC, to help us achieve our goals to create environmentally friendly packaging in a sustainable way that truly benefits consumers."
"The approach to sustainability that SCGC continuously emphasizes is to conduct business under the circular economy principle. This involves developing a variety of green solutions to meet the diverse needs of brand owners and consumers who care about sustainability. In this collaboration with Kao, SCGC is ready to bring expertise in the design and development of bottles and packaging bags with green plastic innovations from SCGC GREEN POLYMER™, which encompasses four main solutions: Reduce, Recyclable, Recycle, and Renewable. Our goal is to create sustainable packaging for Kao's products and to promote the efficient use of resources in line with the circular economy principle within Thailand in a tangible way," said Pisan Uawithya, SCGC Executive Director.
"Dow is committed to supporting our customers in reducing carbon emissions and plastic waste according to the circular economy principle," said Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, Dow Thailand President. "We are pleased to support Kao in the design and development of flexible packaging with key sustainability benefits. With our expertise in Thailand and Dow Pack Studio in Singapore, combined with our innovative plastics such as INNATE, ELITE, DOWLEX, and Dow PCR (REVOLOOP), we will help Kao develop packaging bags designed for recyclability that reduce the impact on the environment and meet the needs of consumers."
The MoU will lead to the development of new materials and the use of innovative technologies to design and produce packaging for Kao brands to enable a lower carbon footprint and are easily recyclable. This includes both rigid (bottle) and flexible (bag) packaging which will still maintain excellent properties to protect the products inside and provide convenience for consumers.
This collaboration is a significant step for Kao in its journey to achieve its sustainability goals, which include achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. It is also in line with the commitment of SCGC and Dow to reduce environmental impact and use innovation to create more sustainable choices for Thai consumers.
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About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth; asset integration and scale; focused innovation and materials science expertise; leading business positions; and environmental, social and governance leadership to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. The Company's ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world. Dow's portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated, science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 37,800 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $57 billion in 2022. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
About Dow Thailand Group
Dow started its business in Thailand in 1967, then expanded through a joint venture with SCG in 1987 (in 2022, SCG Chemicals rebranded to SCGC). At present, Dow Thailand Group consists of Dow's wholly owned subsidiaries and SCGC-DOW joint ventures. In addition, there is also a Solvay and Dow joint venture in Thailand. Dow Thailand Group is the largest manufacturing base for Dow in the Asia Pacific, with many manufacturing facilities in Rayong province. Its strategic markets in Thailand are packaging, building and infrastructure, and mobility industries. More information could be found at https://th.dow.com/en-us or the Thai Facebook www.facebook.com/DowThailandGroup/
About Kao Industrial (Thailand) Limited
Kao Industrial (Thailand) Company Limited was officially established on September 24, 1964 by Kao Corporation Japan. For over 59 years, Kao Thailand has created products to improve quality of life and is part of consumers’ daily life through products in a portfolio of over 10 leading brands including Attack,Magiclean, Haiter, Laurier, Merries, MegRhythm, Feather, Liese, Bioré and Curél.
Kao Thailand also has a chemical business with connections to many industrial sectors and operates its business by offering innovative products. Kao Thailand does not merely supply quality products, but creates products in the health and beauty space for people and society. Kao does this with a mission to drive the company to sustainability with its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy under the slogan, “Kirei—Making Life Beautiful”
About SCGC
SCG Chemicals or SCGC is a leading integrated chemical player in ASEAN with strategic bases in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, offering a full range of petrochemical products ranging from upstream production of olefins to downstream production of 3 main plastics resins: polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
SCGC focuses on inventing "Innovation That's Real" to drive the ASEAN economy and elevate the quality of life in accordance with ESG and circular economy. SCGC develops technology and innovation toward HVAs in infrastructure, consumable packaging, automotive, health and well-being, and energy solutions, while ensuring sustainable environmental stewardship.
More information: https://www.scgchemicals.com
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For further information, please contact:
Apiradee Poopirom
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-4917296 / 081-8026933
Email:papiradee@dow.com
Suttipong Krotintakom
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 038-673315 / 081-7919626
Email:skrotintakom@dow.com
Lalida Tisadondilok
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-491-7228 / 089-6687079
Email:lalida@dow.com