Braskem Siam, a joint venture between SCG Chemicals (SCGC) and Brazil’s Braskem, has teamed up with Mitr Phol Bio Fuel, a subsidiary of Mitr Phol Group and ASEAN’s leading ethanol producer, to enhance the supply of agricultural ethanol for bio-ethylene production. This partnership is a major step toward sustainable plastic production in Asia, further solidifying Thailand’s role in the global bioplastics industry, reports Chemanalyst.news.
Under a newly signed Letter of Intent, Mitr Phol Bio Fuel will supply ethanol derived from agricultural sources to Braskem Siam. SCGC will then use this bio-ethylene as a feedstock to manufacture bio-based polyethene (bio-PE), an environmentally friendly polymer with a negative carbon footprint that is fully recyclable like conventional polyethene. The initiative is expected to meet the growing demand for sustainable plastics in Asian and European markets.
Salin Panichsam, Deputy Managing Director of Braskem Siam, provided an update on the bioethylene plant, saying, “We are evaluating the construction of the facility at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong Province. This project combines Braskem Brazil’s bioplastics expertise with SCGC’s Green Innovation to create Asia’s first bio-ethylene plant and the first outside of Brazil.”
The planned facility aims to replace fossil-based ethylene with bio-ethylene derived from agricultural ethanol. With a production capacity of 200,000 tons per year, the plant is scheduled to be operational by 2027. Braskem Siam estimates an annual ethanol demand exceeding 450 million litres, which will be sourced both locally and internationally.
Thunyawee Pongwattanasuk, Managing Director of Mitr Phol Bio Fuel’s ethanol business, highlighted the significance of the collaboration. “As a leading ethanol producer in the region, this partnership allows us to expand beyond the fuel sector and play a key role in the bioplastics industry. We are committed to supplying high-quality ethanol to support Braskem Siam in making Thailand a hub for bioplastics production,” she said.
Braskem Siam also plans to introduce a Responsible Ethanol Sourcing Program, modeled after Braskem Brazil’s sustainability framework. This program will set industry standards for evaluating ethanol producers, ensuring responsible land use, water management, pesticide application, and waste disposal. It will also uphold transparency and fair labour practices, reinforcing sustainability across the supply chain.
This partnership not only strengthens Thailand’s ethanol value chain but also supports the country’s low-carbon economic goals. By driving advancements in bioplastics, the collaboration is expected to contribute to Thailand’s sustainable development efforts and the future of eco-friendly plastics in Asia.
For detailed information and further insights, please refer to BioEnergyTimes.com, which provides the latest news about the Ethanol Industry
