Sustainable Products
GC develops products for sustainability purpose and supporting the portfolio-driven by focusing on Low Carbon Product, Toxic Material Reduction, Waste Reduction, and Improved Protection of Worker Safety
Example of Low Carbon Products
GC has been consistently developing low-carbon products to offer environmentally friendly solutions. These products has benefits of low greenhouse gas emissions, aiding both customers and users in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, as well as environmental footprint. GC classifies the low-carbon products as follows:
| Type | Group of Products / services | % of Total Revenues from Products | Estimated total avoided emissions per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Carbon Products |
|
91 | 2,715,008 |
| Avoided emissions products |
|
1 | 151,522 |
GC has developed and designed low-carbon products with lighter weight that require less materials. These products must be manufactured from recycled/bio content, have low carbon footprint, and utilize low process energy, yet still deliver higher process throughput while catering to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Examples of such products include:
Lightweight 3DP Composites
GC develops composite materials using 3D printing technology, which requires low production energy and operating costs and can timely yield products with unique or complex properties, e.g. autoparts, aviation parts, sports equipment, etc. These composite materials are five times stronger than Titanium, but three times lighter than ordinary composite materials.
Epoxy for Composite Rebar
GC has developed an Epoxy Formulation which can be used in the construction industry for manufacturing composite rebar for horizontal structures. The composite rebar has features in good tensile properties, strong adhesion ability, light weight, non-conductive characteristics, rust-proof properties, chemical corrosion resistance and spark-free cutting. GC has estimated the revenue generating from the Composite Rebar for approx. 0.5 million baht per year.
Epoxy Filament For Underground Conduit
GC has developed Epoxy Hardener Formulation to serve underground conduit. This epoxy formulation has been developed by using filament winding technique that offer outstanding properties benefits e.g., endurance on high moisture content, tolerance on wide range of high temperaure, and corrsion resistance. This formulation is light weight and higher durability comparing with steel. It is recognized as environmental-friendly product. GC has estimated the revenue generating from the Epoxy Formulation for approx. 6.7 million baht per year.
PCR Shrink Film
GC produces high-quality recycled plastic resin under the brand InnoEco: D021NF-50. The plastic resin, which is made from up to 50% post-consumer resin (PCR), is intended for shrink film production. The shrink film is utilized across a range of industries, including consumer goods, or even in factories. It mostly serves to wrap products for the purpose of cleanliness and safety. This shrink film also contributes to reducing the use of new plastics. It features similar properties as new plastic resin and can be used to produce quality, safe, recyclable packaging that meets international standards, helping to lessen environmental problems and respond to sustainability needs.
Examples of Waste Reduction Products
Strong, more durable, biodegradable products that can be recycled / upcycled. The products must be easy to recyle after end of life. For example:
Bio-Vegetable Seedling Bag
This product is able to degrade under normal condition, which can reduce plastic waste generation. The bags can be decomposed to carbon, which helps to increase plant nutrients and increase agricultural productivity.
Downgauging Film
Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) has been used to produce a thin film, which is easily formable and strong. It reduces resource consumption, cost and GHG emissions in the production process.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) Tray
GC has developed a tray that made from PLA, which is biodegradable plastic. It has a strong characteristic and can easily be moulded, resulting in reduction of GHG emissions from production processes and final disposal.
Degradable Packaging
GC has designed packaging for natural cane sugar. The packaging is made from BioPBS coated paper obtained from corn and has excellent heat-seal performance. It also has a short life cycle and biodegrades completely within six months, leaving no toxic residues in the environment.
Recycling & Upcycling Products
GC has collaborated with external parties under the trademark of “UPCYCLING BY GC”, which has been in operation since 2020 to enhance upcycled products with creativity and diversity. These upcycled products can be further developed into ECO-DESIGN, which is a convergence of design and sustainability. In 2023, GC collaborated with leading Thai fashion brands and designers who have expertise in design and creativity to craft 15 prototype collections from 992 used PET bottles. Consequently, 17.4 kg CO2e of greenhouse gas were successfully reduced through the revival and upcycling of plastic using eco-design to create 15 prototype collections. Some examples of partners participating in this project include 1. CAFÉ AMAZON X VICKTEERUT, 2. PATAYA FOOD GROUP X VICKTEERUT, 3. KBANK X DISAYA, 4. THAI RED CROSS SOCIETY X DISAYA, etc.
For more details:
Examples of Toxic Material Reduction Products
With consideration for the safety of consumers and the environment, GC has developed waterborne products with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), for example:
Non-VOC and Green Solvent
GC produces non-VOC and green solvent for water-based paint that performs well with latex paints, such as acrylic, styrene-acrylic, etc. It offers durability in a variety of weather conditions. It can also be used on different porous surfaces and moisture in all conditions. It features freeze thaw stability and anti-skinning properties. It presents no significant interference effect on paint properties, viscosity, pH and color development, including film properties, such as dirt pick-up, gloss, scrub resistance, washability, water resistance and mud cracking resistance, etc.
This solvent can be used in paint for buildings for aesthetic purposes and provides durability from various conditions with elastic surface properties. It can prevent water leakage, offers resistance to both internal and external mold, and is easy to clean.
Examples of Products with Improved Protection of Worker Safety
Remote Piping Inspection Robot (RPR)
GC has applied the principles of Design Thinking in combination with Agile Methodology in the development of the “Scylla” robot. This remote robot will be used in inspection tasks on behalf of staff upon inspecting non-insulated piping at height in order to reduce accident risks and increase safety. It will also contribute to reducing the high cost of scaffolding installation. The “Scylla” robot can perform inspections and offers rapid measurement data transmission. It can also quickly upload the measurement data to the company’s server system, enabling the authorization of the pipe density data in real time in order to acquire an accurate estimation of the pipe’s remaining lifetime.
GC Compostable Label
In addition, GC has developed an eco-friendly label called “GC Compostable Label”, which is made from bioplastic resin from plants, such as sugarcane, corn, and cassva, thus making them biodegradable without leaving residue in the environment, unlike single-use plastics. Bioplastic products, such as straws, coffee cups, beverage cups, food containers, plastic bags, are widely used in various leading cafes, restaurants, and hotels. The packaging are certified with a label that confirms their compostable raw materials as well as international standard certification labeling, namely ASTM D6400 and ISO17088.