Dow Thailand steps up sustainability drive
DOW Thailand Group has launched the fourth phase of its sustainable industry programme in partnership with a number of state agencies.
The company said the highlight of the fourth phase is its partnership with the Ministry of Industry’s Big Brothers initiative, which aims to increase competitive advantage and improve industrial standards in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The company is also working with the Department of Industrial Promotion, the Department of Industrial Works, as well as the Thai Industrial Standards Institute and its associate the Thailand Environment Institute.
Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, president of Dow Thailand Group, said: “Dow constantly strives to deliver long-term value in business operations with sustainable solutions. Protecting people and the environment is the first priority in everything we do and every decision we make across the globe.
“We are prompt to implement global know-how and expertise to support Thai entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, in improving their environmental and safety standards to compete sustainably and advance towards Industry 4.0.”
Since 2011, the Dow Chemical for Sustainable Industry programme has been organised by Dow Thailand Group and partners, including public, private, non-profit, and international organisations, to upgrade Thai industrial standards by providing knowledge and consultation to small and medium-sized enterprises on “lean management” for the environment.
Dow Thailand, in collaboration with the Thailand Environment Institute Foundation, developed the concept of “Lean & Green” or “Lean Management for Environment”. This tool was designed to increase the capacity of industrial sectors, enhance managerial and operational efficiency, improve environmental standards, and elevate Thai industries to the level of green industry.
So far the programme has generated 5,844 professionals and advisers on Lean Management for Environment and elevated the industrial entrepreneurs’ productivity and superior safety and environmental standards. Forty of them have become role-model enterprises.
In addition, the programme has contributed to significant positive impacts, such as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 1.5 million kgCO2e per annum (equivalent to planting 150,000 trees), production and energy cost savings of Bt144 million a year, and community well-being improvement for 922,000 people.
