SCG Launches ASEAN's First PP Melt-Blown Resin Meeting International Standard to Support Local Production of Face Mask Filter Against Infection and PM2.5

SCG Launches ASEAN's First PP Melt-Blown Resin Meeting International Standard to Support Local Production of Face Mask Filter Against Infection and PM2.5
SCG Launches ASEAN's First PP Melt-Blown Resin Meeting International Standard to Support Local Production of Face Mask Filter Against Infection and PM2.5
SCG Launches ASEAN's First PP Melt-Blown Resin Meeting International Standard to Support Local Production of Face Mask Filter Against Infection and PM2.5

Date: 30 Mar 2021

Bangkok — 29 March 2021, Chemicals Business, SCG, sets forth to fortify innovation in health and wellness space, recently launching the first in ASEAN “SCG PP Melt-Blown Resin” that meets international standard for melt-blown fabric production. The quality of fiber can achieve 1-5 microns in diameter when producing fabric. It can filter out fine particles such as PM2.5 and germs with a Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) rating of ≥95% and Bacteria Filtration Efficiency (BFE) rating of ≥95%. SCG PP melt-blown resin is tested by a leading institute and excellent for producing the filter layer of the mask. It is ready to be developed into face mask filter to reduce import dependence and solve the domestic shortage supply. The product will strengthen the public health capability and enhance the competitiveness of Thai industry. SCG PP melt-blown resin is now commercially available. 

Mr. Tanawong Areeratchakul, President of Chemicals Business, SCG, revealed, "Chemicals Business, SCG, strives to develop innovation in the health and wellness space to improve people's quality of life and meet the SDG 3 which to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being. In our view, plastic materials are the essential substitute and highly necessary for the manufacture of products within the health and wellness industry. It can reduce the dependence on importing such plastic resins and melt-blown fabric to a considerable extent. Our move will increase the country's competitiveness in health and wellness industry.

As the world is grappled with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks or gloves, has mounted up to 100 times higher than normal. As a result, many countries have to ramp up their production, launch some measures and limit export to ensure that there are sufficient supplies for domestic use. According to the Department of Internal Trade, the domestic demand for face masks in Thailand is 30-40 million pieces in normal circumstances. After the outbreak, the demand has surged five times to about 200 million pieces per month.

"According to a recent study, Thailand has a current demand for melt-blown fabric and spundbond fabric to produce disposable related products  up to 10,000 tons per year for health and wellness industry. And yet, there has been no production of polypropylene resins to feed the domestic melt-blown fabric industry, resulting in dependence on material imports from other countries such as China or Korea. To cater to the current need, Chemical Business, SCG, has developed the first's ASEAN high value-added product, "SCG PP Melt-Blown Resin," with the international standard. The newly launched product is excellent for producing melt-blown fabric such as the mask's filter layer. The resin is capable of producing fibers that reaches 1-5 microns in diameter, which can filter out the fine particles such as PM2.5 and germs with Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE) rating of ≥95% and Bacteria Filtration Efficiency (BFE) rating of ≥95%.  SCG PP melt-blown resin is now commercially available and is ready to be developed into other products such as personal protective equipment (PPE) or high-quality air filters," said Tanawong.

SCG PP melt-blown resin is tested by a leading institute and is currently under development into melt-blown fabric and under collaboration with local manufacturers in health and wellness industry. The product is to fulfill consumers' need where new normal lifestyles, such as being health-conscious, regularly wearing face masks to protect themselves from germ and dust, have become part of life.