Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) is aiming to commercialize chemical recycling, in which used plastics are decomposed by heat and turned back into monomers to be reused as feedstock for chemicals. The group is currently investing management resources in chemical recycling as a core project for achieving a circular economy – and in the near future, it aims to expand its efforts here up to a commercial scale.
SCG has already completed a demonstration facility in Thailand’s Rayong Province. Boasting a capacity of 4,000 tons of renewable feedstock per year, this facility is operated by Circular Plas Co. Ltd., a joint venture between SCG and a Thai startup focused on developing recycling technology.
Circular Plas is said to have excellent technologies for limiting the amount of heat energy needed in its processes, among other strengths. And by leaning on these strengths, SCG aims to properly establish its chemical recycling technology in 3–6 months.
Then in addition to chemical recycling, group company SCG Chemicals Co. Ltd. is working on a number of fronts to lead SCG in attaining a sustainable society and circular economy. The company’s efforts here include developing – and establishing technologies for – reusable materials, post-consumer recycled materials and bioresins.