GHG Reduction Initiatives
GC has introduced numerous projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1 and 2) in order to lessen climate change impact. These efforts align with the energy management and climate change strategy by enhancing and applying technology to conserve energy, improving energy efficiency, and investing in High Value Business (HVB) products. Additionally, GC has invested in the Bio & Circularity businesses and utilizes carbon capture technology.
GC also has invested in the development of energy storage technology using high-performance battery. This initiative will play an important role in enhancing the capacity of clean energy technology. Accordingly, GC has invested in ESS inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol GWH.
Installation of Gas Turbine Generator and Heat Recovery Steam Generator at Utilities Plant
GC has carried out a project to enhance the overall efficiency of the utilities plant (U-P1). The project uses new machinery with enhanced efficiency to reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions rate from the use of fuel in power generation.
| Investment (million baht) | 2,990 |
| Reduction of Energy Consumption (GJ per year) | 752,066 |
| Reduction of GHG Emissions (tons CO2 equivalent per year) | 42,202 |
| Reduction of Costs (million baht per year) | 167.5 |
Maptaphut Integration (MTPi)
GC has conducted the Maptaphut Integration (MTPi) Project to maximize the efficiency of energy and utilities management. Furthermore, it features integrated waste management that helps to reduce loss during transportation, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and manage waste utilization with effectiveness.
One of the project’s goals is encouraging the use of alternative energy, which is in line with the principles of circular economy and GC’s sustainability guidelines in dealing with the changing global context and climate. As a result, various projects were conceived, including Floating Solar Panels and Solar Rooftops. An installation plan for each area is clearly determined based on the conditions and timeframe agreed upon with the contract parties. At present, GC has installed solar rooftops in 14 plants and 3 offices, yielding a cumulative production capacity of 19 megawatts. The Solar Rooftop Project began in 2020 and will be completed in 2027. Meanwhile, the Floating Solar Panels Project will be finalized in 2022.
Development of Model to Control the Reactor in the Production Process
GC has upgraded the efficiency of technology in its production process and cut down CO2 emissions by studying, developing and applying advance analysis technology to build a model that controls the reactor in the production process in a suitable condition. This has resulted in higher production output while requiring less reactants and energy. Moreover, it contributes to lowering CO2 emissions. GC plans to conduct further studies and extend this project to other production processes.
| Investment (million baht) | 0* |
| Reduction of Energy Consumption (GJ per year) | 20,000 |
| Reduction of GHG Emissions (tons CO2 equivalent per yea) | 1,700 |
| Reduction of Costs (million baht per year) | 26.2 |
* Internal Development
Study and Development of Using Membrane Technology for Organic Solvent Separation
GC has studied and developed membrane technology to replace the use of organic solvent distillation in the Aromatics production process. This will help to reduce energy consumption in the production process and decrease CO2 emissions. GC plans to further apply such technology to other production units.
| Investment (million baht) | 100* |
| Reduction of Energy Consumption (GJ per year) | 60,000* |
| Reduction of GHG Emissions (tons CO2 equivalent per year) | 4,500* |
| Reduction of Costs (million baht per year) | 22.0* |
* Data from preliminary assessment
โครงการ PDH Optimization Model
GC has introduced this project to develop a model for improving the production process, enhancing efficiency, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. By studying, developing and analysing Advance Analysis technology, the project aims to create models for controlling production process reactors under optimal conditions. This leads to increased product yield, reduced use of reactants, and lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The company also plans to extend the reactor development model to other production process.
| Reduction of Energy Consumption (GJ per year) | 48,004 |
| Reduction of GHG Emissions (tons CO2 equivalent per year) | 2,115 |
| Reduction of Costs (million baht per year) | 26.2 |
By-Product / Waste Upgrading
GC has studied and developed the use of appropriate technology to dispose of contaminants in waste and by-products from Olefins production process while maximizing their value. This has contributed to reducing CO2 emissions as a result of the lower amount of waste destined for disposal and the transformation of by-products into high-value chemicals. GC has further plans to apply this technology to other production units.
| Investment (million baht) | 43 (Internal development) |
| Reduction of GHG Emissions (tons CO2 equivalent per year) | 10,000* * Data from preliminary assessment (scope 3) |
| Reduction of Costs (million baht per year) | 30.0* * Data from preliminary assessment |
CO2 Utilization
GC has studied CO2 utilization in the production of various product groups, such as Chemical Polymer and Ingredient, etc.
| Estimated Investment (million baht) | 10,000 |
| Reduction of GHG Emissions (tons CO2 equivalent per year) | 200,000 tons CO2 per year |
Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)
GC has established cooperation with its partner network to study methods of adopting the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology. This high-performance technology holds an annual storage capacity of up to millions of tons of CO2 from the production process and relies on permanent geological storage. At the same time, GC also studies the feasibility of CO2 utilization as another means of creating business opportunity.
GC plans to invest in CCUS startups through Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) to explore new technology with higher efficiency and less costs in order to achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. Accordingly, GC aims to use CCUS technology to capture 6.30 million tons of CO2 by 2050.
Petrochemical Complex
GC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (MHI-AP) to jointly study the technologies required to develop a large-scale petrochemical complex that aims to support Thailand’s Carbon Neutrality by 2050. This collaboration between GC and MHI-AP will involve the study of solutions that use low carbon fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, as well as Carbon Capture and Storage technologies. This supports GC's sustainability goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030 and aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions (Net Zero) by 2050.
GC-VISTEC Collaborations on Carbon Dioxide Utilizations
Since 2016, GC and the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) have collaborated in research and development (R&D) to utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the manufacturing process. In 2019, the GC-VISTEC collaboration has accomplished the catalyst development to value-added products from carbon dioxide and olefins, such as lactones, unsaturated arboxylic acid, self-healing polyurethane, and cyclic carbonate. Five patents have been filed as a result of this achievement. In the past year, GC has also expanded cooperation in specialty polymer synthesis, such as Aliphatic Polycarbonate for coating, in accordance with its new business plan for the High Value Business (HVB) group.
Future Hydrogen Society
GC has partnered with Siemens Energy to sign a collaboration agreement to study and develop a project for generating electricity from hydrogen energy (Future Hydrogen Society) as part of the efforts to mitigate and slow down global warming issue. GC has a clear plan and continuously evaluates its projects. One of the plans includes using clean and low-carbon energy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As a result of diverse greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects, GC’s cumulative greenhouse gas emissions reduction is as follows:
Cumulative greenhouse gas emissions reduction between 2020-2023
tons CO2 equivalent