Dow Chemical Thailand continues collaboration to elevate sustainability of Thai industrial sector, gearing up Thai businesses to emerge victorious in AEC age
Dow Chemical Thailand Limited and the Thailand Environment Institute Foundation together with the Ministry of Industry’s Department of Industrial Promotion and with support from the Thai-U.S. Creative Partnership held a press conference for the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the organizing of the Dow Chemical for Sustainable Industry Project. The MOU has its objective in showing mutual commitment and intent to support Thai businesses in improving their environmental standards and elevating Thailand’s industrial sector into Green Industries that focus on sustainability. The goal is to establish Thailand in a leading position for the advent of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.
Now in the second year of Phase II, which runs between 2013 and 2014, the Dow Chemical for Sustainable Industry Project aims to offer in-depth counsel on the adoption of Lean Management for the Environment, which helps organizations streamline their operations and effectively cut production costs as well as enables them to apply appropriate and efficient environmental, energy and safety measures. Moreover, the project promotes actual applications with support from experts and entails monitoring and site evaluation by seasoned specialists. This is to ensure that participating organizations can concretely apply the knowledge of Lean Management for the Environment to their operations.
In addition, the project includes a competition for best applications of Lean Management for the Environment. Awards will be given to organizations with the most efficient total management with judging criteria including product development, manufacturing processes, environmental management, energy use and occupational health and safety measures. All these aspects can contribute to competitiveness and elevate organizations into ‘Green Industry’. This year, a total of 20 organizations—large corporations as well as SMEs—participate in the project. They include manufacturers of food, agricultural produce, plastics and cosmetics as well as a foundation.
Dr. Witoon Simachokedee, Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Industry, said, “Thailand will be fully integrated into the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Assistance to help the industrial sector adopt sustainable development is therefore a pressing matter as it can increase the competence of Thai industries and offer competitiveness over other ASEAN member states. The Dow Chemical for Sustainable Industry Project is also in line with the Ministry of Industry’s policy that encourages Thai businesses to become Green Industry, which will result in the country’s more competitiveness and a better life quality for consumers thanks to quality products and high environmental standards.”
Dr. Qwanruedee Chotichanathawewong, President of Thailand Environment Institute, said, “The Dow Chemical for Sustainable Industry, Year II focuses on the application of Lean Management for the Environment to encourage good practices. If an organization can fully and effectively integrate energy, environmental and safety measures into its management, not only does this help to reduce production losses and costs, it will also create trust for communities, customers, investors and all others who matter to the organization. Ultimately, it will lead to smooth operations and sustainable profitability, which is the goal of any business.”
Jirasak Singmaneechai, Managing Director of Dow Chemical Thailand, said, “Dow puts importance on green business and optimization and efficiency of resource use following its mission on sustainability. We would like to share this concept and the knowledge we have with our friends in the industry. Together, we can build a good image for the industrial sector. The Dow Chemical for Sustainable Industry Project reaffirms our position as a partner for business and social sustainability while promoting the sustainable development and growth of Thai industries.”
For more details of the project, please contact the training unit of the Thailand Environment Institute Foundation at 02-503-3333, ext. 203 or visit
http://www.tei.or.th/trainingdow or
https://www.facebook.com/dowtei Information about handbook of Lean Management for Environment of Dow Chemical for Sustainable Industry project can also be downloaded at
http://www.tei.or.th/trainingdow/2014-leanbook.html