25 Fun Facts for National Innovation Day: Shaping Global, Social, and Business Growth with 17 SDGs and Sustainability Trends

SCGC, a leader in innovative chemical products and pioneering innovations in plastic recycling, embraces the 17 SDGs and sustainability trends. Discover 25 fun facts about "National Innovation Day" here.

Advancements in science and technology, creativity, and relentless efforts to invent new things have all contributed to 'innovation.' These might manifest as groundbreaking ideas or inventions that can benefit our daily lives, promote business growth, and be environmentally sustainable. SCGC has compiled fascinating facts about National Innovation Day and other intriguing tidbits about innovations for your enjoyment.

• The English word "Innovation" derives from the Latin noun "innovationem," which means a new idea, device, or method.
• In Thai, the familiar term is นวัตกรรม (innovation). Its origin comes from the Pali language, combining the words "นว" (new), "อตต" (self), and "กรรม" (action). When fused together, they retain the essence of the original root meaning.
• Max McKeown, a globally renowned motivational speaker and author of 'The Truth About Innovation,' explained that innovation is about doing things in new ways. It could also refer to changes in thinking, production, processes, or organizations, be it arising from revolution, radical changes, or merely improvements.
• The father of innovation economics, Joseph Schumpeter (or full name, Joseph Alois Schumpeter), identified six waves of innovation evolution, starting from the year 1760 with the dawn of the Mechanization era and projected to cover until 2060, where innovations would address the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability trends to fuel growth in the global ecosystem, society, and businesses.
• In 2010, the United Nations (UN) introduced a concept for generating income and employment, termed the 'Creative Economy'. This concept revolves around driving the economy based on knowledge application, education, creative works, and the utilization of intellectual properties connected with cultural heritage, societal knowledge, and new technologies or innovations.
• From this perspective, the significance of innovations has been highlighted, leading to the establishment of World Creativity and Innovation Day, commemorated every April 21st. It is a significant global event emphasizing the importance of creative thinking to invent innovations, striving to make our world a better place.

• The National Innovation Agency (NIA) defines 'innovation' as producing, learning, and utilizing new ideas to yield positive economic and societal outcomes. This includes creating products, services, new production processes, technological improvements, sharing technology, and leveraging technology to benefit both the economy and society.
• In 2006, the Cabinet designated October 5th of every year as the "National Innovation Day." This was established in remembrance and appreciation of the innovative capabilities and prowess showcased through the "Klaeng Din Project" or the "Royal Soil Improvement Project" initiated by the late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, revered as the Father of Thai Innovation.
• Beyond commemorating the day with ceremonies honoring the late His Majesty, the NIA also presents the National Innovation Awards in five categories to motivate and honor those who develop innovative works that significantly benefit the nation.

• SCGC, or SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited, is a leader in integrated chemical innovation in the region and is committed to developing innovations and state-of-the-art technologies that address sustainability trends and global megatrends.
• Throughout our journey of over 40 years, every aspect of our operations has been guided by ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approach and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are progressing towards becoming the "Chemicals Business for Sustainability."
• With our expertise in polymer innovation, which spans from upstream to downstream, combined with complexes located in the three key strategic locations of ASEAN: Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, SCGC possesses the capability to invent and develop High Value Added Products & Services (HVA).
• In 2021, SCGC's proportion of HVAs accounted for approximately 36% of total revenue. We have set a future target to expand green polymer products to 1 million tons per year by
• To enhance our production capabilities and elevate chemical innovations in line with global megatrends and the 17 SDGs, we have partnered with the University of Oxford and established the Center of Excellence. You can follow our global collaboration stories

• Under our brand SCGC GREEN POLYMER^TM, we offer green innovations or green plastic innovations that align with sustainability trends and the 17 These chemical innovations apply the principles of the Circular Economy to maximize benefits and value through four solutions: Reduce, Recyclable, Recycle, and Renewable.
• Our unique SMX^TM Technology from SCGC enhances the properties of plastic resins to maintain high quality. This results in fewer plastic resins, thinner products, lighter weight, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. In collaboration with SCGC X LION, we have pioneered changes in the packaging for products like "PAO" and "Shokubutsu."
• Global brands have placed their trust in SCGC's GREEN POLYMER^TM. Some notable examples include Unilever's dishwashing liquid bottles, Shell's lubricant gallons, PAO's liquid detergent products, and packaging for powder products under the Colgate-Palmolive brands 'Care' and 'Protex.'
• We also work with SACMI IMOLA S.C., a manufacturer of machinery, molds, and designer of plastic bottle caps for leading global beverage brands. We have developed eco-friendly carbonated water bottle caps. When consumers open the bottle, the ring section remains attached to the bottleneck (Tethered Caps). This helps prevent them from being released into the environment, making recycling easier and more efficient.
• SCGC has invested in Sirplaste, a leader in Portugal's recycled plastic manufacturing industry, holding a 70% This investment aims to propel the circular economy strategy, promote optimal resource utilization, combat global warming, and cater to the expanding recycled plastic market in Europe and diverse customer needs.

• SCGC has joined the Plastics2Olefins project, an initiative to develop technology to recycle plastics into olefins, which are basic components for plastic production. This solution aims to reduce waste, decrease carbon dioxide emissions, and promote eco-friendly products. The project is expected to be completed by
• Braskem, a leading global bioplastics company from Brazil, and SCGC have signed a joint venture agreement to produce green-ethylene from ethanol derived from agricultural products as an alternative to ethylene from fossil sources. The production capacity is set at 200,000 tons per year.
• SCGC is using carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce carbon-negative plastic (Polylactic-co-glycolic acid or PLGA) and is preparing to develop a pilot plant to feed the global market. They are collaborating on developing new technologies and innovations in this area with Avantium N.V., a specialist in renewable chemistry from the Netherlands.
• In terms of developing and testing the Carbon Dioxide Capture and Utilization (CCU) technology to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the SCGC production process is expected to be completed in 2024, and testing will continue until 2026.
• Regarding expanding collaborations with leading organizations in the country, SCGC has launched the "Nets Up" project, a circular economy model that aims for sustainable growth by converting discarded fishing nets into marine materials, a new innovative recycled material. This effort is in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, local fisher groups in Rayong, business partners, and marine environmental protection networks.
• Another significant highlight that reflects SCGC's commitment to the 17 SDGs and sustainability trends is the 2022 PROGRESS REPORT: CATALYSING IMPACT. The report is conducted in collaboration with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), a founding company of the organization, to present innovations, green plastic solutions, and sustainable post-consumer plastic management.

The "25 Trivia Tidbits About National Innovation Day," with the ongoing emphasis on innovations, underscores SCGC's leadership in integrated chemical innovation in the region. This leadership highlights the significant development and economic growth of the country. As a driving force in the industry, SCGC is dedicated to fostering creativity, developing innovative chemical products, recycling plastics, and offering new solutions that align with the 17 SDGs and sustainability trends.