SOLVAY SELLING VINYTHAI TO AGC ASAHI GLASS

The transaction is expected to be completed no later than the first half of next year.
In a press release, the Japanese firm said it had agreed with Belgium’s Solvay Group to acquire the Vinythai stake following a resolution passed by its board yesterday.
 Under its “AGC plus” management policy, the AGC Group puts a strategic focus on the enhancement of its chlor-alkali business in Southeast Asia. 
The caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) markets in Southeast Asia are projected to grow at around 5 per cent per year, and 70 per cent of the demand comes from Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, where the group has production bases, the group said. 
The acquisition of Vinythai will add a PVC production base in Thailand to its PVC facilities in Indonesia and Vietnam. 
 
BMW AIDS KMUTT’S EV, CAR-SHARING STUDY

BMW Group Thailand has signed a memorandum of understanding with King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thon Buri (KMUTT) to study the prospects of electric vehicles (EVs) and car-sharing programmes in Thailand under the “Electric Vehicle Charging and Car Sharing Zones”, or “Charge & Share” initiative. 
 Through the MoU, the firm is providing KMUTT with access to the BMW i3, a fully emission-free EV, as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles: the BMW 330e and BMW X5 xDrive40e.
Charge & Share is a two-year initiative under Lo-Ve – the Centre for Low Carbon Vehicles – led by KMUTT’s Automotive Research Cluster Working Group, said Dr Yossapong Laoonual, chairman of the group. 
The goal is to support EV deployment in the university, encourage commuting via car sharing, and conduct research on public transit behaviour. 
“This is a part of our study and analysis of future EV car utilisation in Thailand. Additionally, Haupcar has partnered with us to assist on a car-sharing management system,” Vasin Kiattikomol, leader of the project, said.
 
FLAT 2017 EXPECTED FOR GREEN-TEA MARKET

The Thai green-tea market is not expected to expand next year, as a result of less competition among key players, according to Oishi Group, the market leader. 
Jesdakorn Ghosh, senior vice president for marketing, said yesterday that the market this year is expected to decline 2 per cent to Bt16 billion, while next year would follow suit if major rivals still remained silent in terms of promotion and product launches. 
However, to retain its leading position, Oishi has decided to stimulate consumers, particularly those aged 15-29 years, by introducing a new sakura-strawberry flavoured green tea. 
The company is also spending Bt70 million on a marketing campaign and advertisements throughout the next three months, the executive said. 
The goal is for the new product to generate annual revenue of Bt600 million. 
 
‘BIG SALE’ EVENT TO BOOST YEAR-END SPENDING 

To stimulate spending, the Commerce Ministry has joined hands with modern traders, convenience stores and supermarkets – more than 13,500 outlets in total – to organise a “Big Sale” event with up to 80 per cent off, which runs from today until January 4.
Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said the 21-day event should help spur the economy by at least Bt80 billion, while enabling consumers to reduce their spending costs by Bt24 billion.
The event will also help promote more spending during the government’s tax break for year-end shopping, she added.