SCG Chemicals Partners with 7-Eleven to Introduce Reusable Durable Bag Made from Post-consumer Plastic, Emphasizing Closed-Loop Recycling Model to Save the Environment

Bangkok – 16 November, 2021SCG Chemicals has partnered with CP All Public Company Limited, executives from 7-eleven, and 7-delivery to recycle post-consumer plastics in the CP All's goods distribution process into "Tor Tung Ton Tan (durable and reusable bag)," a sturdy, durable, and reusable plastic bag that serves as the paradigm for Thailand's concrete adoption of a closed-loop recycling model based on the circular economy, following the corporate goal of conducting business in conjunction with sustainable environmental stewardship and ESG Strategy (Environmental, Social and Governance). The post-consumer plastic is converted into high-quality PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled Resin) and made reusable again in collaboration with SUEZ Circular Polymer, the leading European recycler of PCR, and Naraipak, Thailand's major plastic bag producer.

Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud, Vice President of SCG Chemicals, said, "This is a key milestone for SCG Chemicals. We join forces with partners to maximize resource efficiency based on the circular economy via a closed-loop recycling model, which involves recycling one product entirely into a new one. The process begins with recycling post-consumer plastic in the CP All logistic process into high-quality PCR under the name SCG GREEN POLYMER^TM using a proprietary formulation developed by SCG Chemicals. The product is a bag manufactured from recycled plastic resin that is both robust and reusable. One of the partners, SCGP reXycle, is in charge of collecting and transporting used plastics. SCG Chemicals is responsible for engaging all partners in the value chain and developing the closed-loop recycling system. This strategy is intended to be expanded to other organizations in the future to reduce the country's waste and greenhouse gas emissions sustainably.

Phaphatsorn Thanasorn, Vice President Purchasing​ of CP All Public Company Limited, said, "CP All has driven environmental policies in collaboration with SCG Chemicals to constantly address plastic waste concretely. This collaboration aims to develop and promote solutions to plastic waste with the circular economy, such as transforming post-consumer plastic into the recycling process in a strong, durable, efficient, and reusable bag like Tor Tung Tone Tarn. This approach helps cut the amount of plastic waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. The project has been running since September, and it is part of CP All's mission to "create and share opportunities" while also caring for the environment, reducing global warming, and improving Thai people's quality of life."

David Bourge, General Manager of Suez Circular Polymer, said, "This partnership is a tremendous sign of solidarity by many sectors across the value chain, from manufacturers to end-users. This is a significant step forward for Thailand's plastic industry's transition to sustainability, aligning with SUEZ's circularity goals we bring resource efficiency across the plastic value chain to the national level. In this collaboration, SUEZ has contributed its expertise in transforming post-consumer plastic into high-quality PCR certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS). Furthermore, the plant has been designed to harvest solar energy for use and has achieved one of the highest water-reuse rates in the country. As a result, the accredited PCR from SUEZ is environmentally friendly as the plant helps to avoid 35,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, supporting Thailand's vision of a more sustainable future."

Chukiat Dulayakometh, Managing Director of Naraipak Company Limited, said, “The use of high-quality PCR in producing plastic bags rather than virgin resins can fulfill the criteria of government environmental policies and the BCG model. It is a collaborative effort to recycle discarded raw materials made a reality by the collaboration of all sectors, both manufacturers and consumers, to build a closed-loop and eco-friendly recycling process based on the circular economy, ensuring the plastic industry's sustainability. Furthermore, plastic bags made from high-quality PCR have attributes similar to grade A plastic resins; thus, customers can be assured that plastic bags made from high-quality PCR are of good quality, clean, durable, and frequently reused."