THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Apollo Thailand marks 50th year by joining effort to save seas

Apollo Thailand marks 50th year by joining effort to save seas

Apollo (Thailand) Co Ltd, a manufacturer and distributor of Idemitsu- and Daphne-brand lubricant oils, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, recently signed an agreement on a Sustainable Ocean Ambassador (SOA) partnership to save reefs and marine life.

“Throughout our 50 years in Thailand as a representative of Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd, we’ve produced over 70 million litres of lubricant oil per year at our world-class factory complex of 48,000 square metres in Chonburi,” said president Yuichi Matsuyama.
“The company has grown continuously and succeeded in becoming a leader in the industry. The key strategy to reinforce our strength and competitive advantage is cutting-edge technology. We pay great attention to research and development in order to deliver excellent products which cater to all needs of the customers.
“Today, we look forward to the future and plan for the next 50 years,” he said. “The world is changing rapidly and is affected by environmental issues, which we see as a challenge. We aim to always be ready to provide the best services in the industry. We have a very strong industrial plan to ensure a strong and firm growth, while we focus on sustainability and care for the environment in all production stages.”
Chakris Wahawisan, also president of Apollo (Thailand), said the company wanted to be “part of a better society” and was committed to social and environmental responsibility. 
“We have made progress in many aspects in this regard, including improving air quality, ending the use of chlorine and chlorofluorocarbon to help fight the greenhouse effect, developing zinc-free lubricants and biodegradable products, and increasing product life for longer use. We have also utilized clean energy by installing solar panels and implementing heat recovery via a steam system, which provides energy for our production. 
“This year, we are implementing the ‘zero waste’ policy, specifically buying back used oil and turning it into a value-added product, which in turn creates a circular economy for the industry.”
Apollo’s is now engageed with SOA, a programme under the Agricultural and Food Marketing Association for Asia and the Pacific that is also part of the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. 
Last year more than 120 artificial reef structures were laid in efforts to rehabilitate the sea around Samae San Island in Chonburi. The objects used for the reefs were designed in shapes and sizes suitable for the target location and were intended to help create feeding and breeding spots for marine life. 
The project has seen positive results, with increasing numbers of marine creatures, including sea turtles, observed in the area.
“We focus on innovation, which is our strength, to offer high-quality products,” said senior marketing manager Pawat Kalpravidh. “This is a long-term strategy that has resulted in growth for the company. 
“This year, the lubricant oil industry is in a recovery period and is ready to see better growth, as various infrastructure mega-projects of the government are expected to stimulate the economy as well as investments in the private sector.”
The company’s main strategy for 2019-2024 focuses on sustainable growth for its two brands. 
The automotive lubricant Idemitsu is a successful business that grew continuously in the past five years and has gained the trust of consumers. 
Daphne focuses on industrial oils. The company targets becoming the No 1 industrial lubricant oil distributor by 2024.
The company looks to tap into new customer groups and aims to increase its market share in the shipping industry by 20 per cent by developing new products to cater to customers in this sector. In addition, it targets OEM producers with production in Thailand.

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