Kao Thailand Collaborates with SCGC and Dow to Pioneer Sustainable Packaging Solutions

In a significant stride towards sustainable business practices, three major companies, namely Kao, SCGC, and Dow, officially sealed their commitment through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Dow Thailand's headquarters in True Digital Park West. The ceremony, attended by key figures including Kao Thailand President Yuji Shimizu, SCGC Executive Director Pisan Uawithya, and Dow Thailand President Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, marked the commencement of a strategic partnership aimed at advancing sustainable packaging solutions.

Kao, a prominent Japanese consumer products manufacturer renowned for brands such as Attack, Biore, Haiter, Laurier, and Magiclean, is poised to integrate innovative, sustainable packaging across an extensive array of products within its Thai portfolio in the near future. The collaboration is driven by a shared commitment to the principles of the 4R framework: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace, in alignment with Kao's broader ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) strategy termed the 'Kirei Lifestyle Plan.'

Expressing enthusiasm about this collaborative venture, Kao Thailand President Yuji Shimizu emphasized the company's dedication to achieving Zero Carbon Emission by 2040. In line with this goal, Kao is intensifying efforts in energy conservation within its production facilities and implementing sustainable design and development practices throughout the entire product lifecycle to mitigate carbon emissions. Furthermore, Kao has set a target of achieving net zero waste plastic packaging by 2040. Shimizu underscored the importance of partnering with expert and like-minded entities such as Dow and SCGC to fulfill these ambitious goals and create eco-friendly packaging solutions that genuinely benefit consumers.

SCGC, with a steadfast focus on sustainability through the lens of a circular economy, brings its commitment to green solutions to the collaboration. Pisan Uawithya, SCGC Executive Director, highlighted the company's dedication to developing diverse green alternatives tailored to the sustainability concerns of brand owners and consumers. Specifically, in collaboration with Kao, SCGC aims to leverage its expertise in designing and developing bottles and packaging bags using innovative green plastics from SCGC GREEN POLYMER™. Uawithya emphasized the goal of creating sustainable packaging for Kao's products, promoting resource efficiency, and aligning with the circular economy principle within Thailand.

Dow, a key player in the chemical industry, reiterated its commitment to supporting customers in reducing carbon emissions and plastic waste in adherence to circular economy principles. Dow Thailand President Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai expressed pleasure in supporting Kao's pursuit of sustainable packaging solutions. Leveraging expertise from both Thailand and Dow Pack Studio in Singapore, Dow aims to collaborate with Kao in designing and developing flexible packaging endowed with key sustainability benefits. The incorporation of innovative plastics such as INNATE, ELITE, DOWLEX, and Dow PCR (REVOLOOP) is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving packaging solutions designed for recyclability, minimizing environmental impact, and meeting consumer needs.

The signing of the MoU heralds a new phase of collaborative efforts, intending to explore new materials and deploy cutting-edge technologies in the development of packaging for Kao brands. The objective is clear—to create packaging solutions that not only contribute to lower carbon footprints but are also easily recyclable. The scope of this initiative encompasses both rigid (bottle) and flexible (bag) packaging, ensuring that the properties crucial for product protection and consumer convenience are maintained.

For Kao, this collaboration signifies a substantial stride towards realizing its sustainability objectives, including the ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Simultaneously, it aligns seamlessly with the steadfast commitment of SCGC and Dow to curbing environmental impact and leveraging innovation to present more sustainable choices for consumers in Thailand. As these industry leaders join forces, the collective impact is poised to shape a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.