Dow, NRCT, Kasetsart, and Thanyaburi supports communities to generate income from recycled plastic composite construction materials that meet industrial product standards

Bangkok – August 17, 2021 – Dow Thailand Group (Dow) is cooperating with the research community, including the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Kasetsart University, and Rajamagala University of Technology Thanyaburi, by signing a memorandum titled 'A Collaboration Network: From Marine Plastic Waste to Rayong Communities' Income.' The project involves the Koh Kok community and Baan Eua Arthorn Wangwa community in Rayong Province. The project's purpose is to share innovation in producing recycled plastic composite construction materials, generating more income, improving quality of life, and reducing plastic waste to support the sustainability of Thai oceans.

The construction materials created in this project meet industrial product standards. They can be used for outdoor construction - such as paving blocks, concrete blocks, and curbs - by adding plastic instead of stone and sand in the proportion of 0.4-1.5 kg per piece, or approximately 6-10% of the total weight. The price is not much different from traditional materials and is as durable as those original ones. It is expected to generate income for communities of more than 400,000-1,500,000 Thai baht per year and reduce plastic waste by more than 30,000 kilograms per year. The project is beneficial both economically and environmentally.

Mr. Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, President of Dow Thailand Group, said, "As Dow is one of the world's largest materials science companies, we are aware of the problem of used plastics leaching into the environment. We are working on sustainable solutions to manage this problem. Dow aims to help "Stop the Waste" by enabling 1 million metric tons of plastic to be collected, reused, or recycled. 'A Collaboration Network: From Marine Plastic Waste to Rayong Communities' Income' is an important project that will put research to practical use. We are prepared to be the bridge between the research community and community groups to ensure that this project is successful."

The mixing of plastics into construction materials allows for lightweight products and reduces materials such as sand and stone. This will reduce the heat of surfaces and be conducive to people walking or doing other outdoor activities.

Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), spoke on dealing with the country's urgent problems concerning natural resources and the environment. "'As a research and innovation fund management unit, 'A Collaboration Network: From Marine Plastic Waste to Rayong Communities' Income' extends today the research and innovation results of 'Thailand Challenge Research Plan: Thai Oceans without Garbage' to concrete implementation. This project reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste by using technology and innovation to add value to plastic waste and generate income for communities. It promotes a network across the government, private sector, and local communities. We're launching ideas to push policies and raise awareness of waste management problems across a wide range. Through projects like this, we can create a circular economy that aims to reduce waste and make the most of available resources.

Dr. Chongrak Wachrinrat, President of Kasetsart University, said, " 'A Collaboration Network: From Marine Plastic Waste to Rayong Communities' Income' was founded as a driver of the national research strategy to solve the plastic waste problem comprehensively. Kasetsart University receives research funding from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) and administers the 'Thailand Challenge Research Plan: Thai Oceans without Garbage'. This plan aims to tackle ocean plastic waste while conducting research in many areas, for example, the application of innovative technology in the collection and storage of residual plastic waste on both land and at sea. Monitoring the environmental impact caused by plastic waste residues is linked to innovation in recycling plastic waste and creating added value - with a network of researchers from Rajamagala University of Technology Thanyaburi working in cooperation."

Assistant Professor Dr. Sommai Pivsa-Art, President of the Rajamagala University of Technology Thanyaburi, said, "As a research agency under 'Thailand Challenge Research Plan: Thai Oceans without Garbage' the Rajamagala University of Technology Thanyaburi has researched and designed innovations to use marine plastic waste as raw materials in construction materials for communities to produce for sale, such as yard tiles and plant pots. In addition to eliminating plastic waste, this also generates income for the community over the long term. We are proud of the research that the research community has brought together. It has been recognized and put into widespread use through private sector support and the readiness of community groups."

Mr. Samran Thipbanpot, a Koh Kok community leader, said, "Thank you to the research community for delivering useful research results that can promote the potential of community enterprises. This makes it possible to develop new products on top of our current offers. We thank Dow Thailand Group for being an intermediary - coordinating access to innovations in plastic waste management and providing support in terms of budget, advice, tools, and machines. This support enables community to upgrade our knowledge and concretely manage plastic waste while generating income from the products created through research utilization."

Mr. Sayan Rungreaung, a Wang Wa community leader, said, "I am honored and grateful for the government agencies, educational institutions, and private agencies - National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Kasetsart University, and Rajamagala University of Technology.

Thanyaburi, as well as the Dow Thailand Group. Putting researches to use allows the community to create and produce new sustainable products which meet quality tests according to academic principles. This builds confidence among consumers in using them."

This project will help promote a circular economy, resulting in concrete and sustainable solutions economically, socially, and environmentally. It is a model for cooperation in using innovation and technology to solve problems, along with the collaboration of communities, to create a better quality of life and lead to a sustainable environment.

For those interested in ordering recycled plastic composite construction materials that meet industrial product standards, please contact the Rajamagala University of Technology Thanyaburi.

About the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)

The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is the main government agency that drives research and innovation systems to be effective by supporting research funding, developing personnel, and developing research and innovation ecosystems according to the national strategic goals. It has seven important missions: 1) Research funding and innovation, 2) Creating databases and scientific research indexes for Thailand innovation, 3) Initiating, driving, and coordinating the implementation of research and innovation projects important to the country, 4) Establishing research and ethical standards, 5) Promoting and transferring knowledge for the benefit of the country, 6) Promoting and supporting the development of research and innovation personnel, and 7) Giving honorary awards and honoring individuals or research and innovation agencies. You can find more information about NRCT at www.nrct.go.th, or follow news on Facebook @nrctofficial

About Dow

Dow (DOW) is a leading global material science company that develops and manufactures a wide range of products through scientific processes. Dow is committed to innovation and excellent attention to its customers, employs a diverse workforce, and places the greatest emphasis on sustainability worldwide. Dow's portfolio of scientific products and solutions includes different types of plastics, and industrial chemicals, coatings, and silicones; with a focus on differentiated customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, construction, and consumer goods manufacturing. Dow currently has 109 manufacturing bases in 31 countries. It employs approximately 36,500 people, with sales of approximately $43 billion in 2019. You can find more information about Dow at www.dow.com or follow our Facebook at www.facebook.com/DowThailandGroup/.

For additional information for the media, please contact:

Mrs. Apiradee Poopirom
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-3657296 / 081-8026933 
Email: papiradee@dow.com

Mr. Suttipong Krotintakom
Dow Thailand Group
038-673315 / 081-7919626 
Email: skrotintakom@dow.com 

Miss Lalida Tidadoldilok
Dow Thailand Group
Tel. 02-3657228 / 089-6687079
Email: lalida@dow.com