HMC Polymers collaborates with national partners to host the annual conference highlighting the concept: Endless PP Solutions for Sustainable Living reaffirming that PP plastic and sustainability can go hand-in-hand
Bangkok, November 21, 2024 – HMC Polymers Co., Ltd. hosted the HMC Polymers Conference 2024 under the theme "Endless PP Solutions for Sustainable Living" at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. This year’s conference highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability as it enters its 41st year, focusing on advancing sustainable practices across its production processes, innovations, and technologies, as well as developing polypropylene (PP) plastic resins with sustainability in mind. The company also emphasized its goal to expand partnerships with national-level stakeholders for greater success.
Mr. Corso Uzielli, President of HMC Polymers, acknowledged that the past 2-3 years have been challenging for the petrochemical industry, particularly the polypropylene (PP) plastic business, due to fluctuating economic conditions and an increasing consumer demand for sustainability. As Thailand's first and largest producer of PP resins and a leading player in Southeast Asia, HMC Polymers has adjusted its business strategy to address these challenges. The HMC Polymers Conference 2024 served as a platform for exchanging knowledge, creating understanding, and engaging with all relevant stakeholders. Key discussion points included:
- Maintaining premium PP resin standards : A special focus was placed on specialty and differentiated grades of PP resins, aimed at creating differentiation and enhancing competitiveness in the market.
- Sustainability framework: HMC Polymers outlined three key areas of its sustainability efforts, all showing tangible progress :
- Circularity: Key indicators include the success of sustainable PP products, categorized based on their raw materials :
- Conventional virgin PP: HMC Polymers has developed innovations to improve the sustainability of fossil-based PP, creating products that reduce plastic content without compromising strength, as well as PP products designed for easier recycling, such as mono-material PP which able to replace multi-material packaging like foil.
- PP from sustainable feedstock: which includes 3 types of sustainable PP
- Bio-circular PP : Made from used materials such as used cooking oil, this type reduces carbon emissions during production while maintaining the identical properties as virgin PP.
- Advanced recycling PP : Made from various types of used plastics, this PP is processed through pyrolysis to create new PP resins with the same quality as virgin PP.
- Mechanical recycling PP : Made from post-consumer recycled PP (PCR) or post-industrial recycled PP (PIR)
- Circularity: Key indicators include the success of sustainable PP products, categorized based on their raw materials :
These sustainable PP products have received certifications such as ISCC PLUS from International Sustainability and Carbon Certification for bio-circular and advanced recycling PP, and GRS (Global Recycled Standard) for mechanical recycling PP.
- Carbon Reduction : Initiatives aimed at reducing or offsetting carbon emissions include establishing a Carbon Emission Baseline, implementing Flare Minimization Projects, and engaging in Carbon Trading. HMC Polymers is also collaborating with the Department of Royal Forest, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to expand green spaces in Nakhon Ratchasima to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
- Connectivity : Using the company's knowledge and products to enhance community quality of life across various sectors, such as education, the environment, public health, and local culture, continues the company’s long-standing commitment to social contributions.
- Strengthening Partnerships : Over the past 2-3 years, HMC Polymers has expanded its partnerships with business partners, particularly in developing various grades of PP resins to meet diverse customer needs. Socially, HMC Polymers launched PP Reborn, Thailand’s first platform for managing used PP plastics and reintegrating them into the production system according to circular economy principles. This platform has received strong support from the government, private and social sectors, with plans for further expansion in 2025.
The HMC Polymers Conference 2024 generated significant attention, with participation exceeding initial targets, marking a new milestone for PP resin producers and distributors in Thailand.