A quick Google search for the word “conservation” displays results about maintaining the health of the natural world, or the protection of plants, animals, and natural areas. One site mentions “the long-term preservation of property.” When thinking about conservation, everyone understands the need to avoid wasting resources. Many countries recognize its importance through annual events such as World Conservation Day, Thai Heritage Conservation Day, and Energy Conservation Day.

PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC), a leading petrochemical and chemical company, is doing our part to help conserve natural resources. We are committed to creating better chemistry for better living. Realizing the importance of effective and efficient energy applications, we have implemented precise guidelines and controls that deliver positive and sustainable benefits.

This coincides with PTTGC’s efforts to reduce energy loss at each stage of our operations, preventive checkups and regular scheduled maintenance for equipment used in the manufacturing process, and increasing environmental awareness in the workplace.

Each year, the Thai Ministry of Energy’s Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE), encourages individual businesses as well as industrial sectors to contribute to energy efficiency and alternative energy development. To recognize these efforts, the DEDE has introduced the “Thailand Energy Awards” competition.

On August 21, 2017, PTTGC won the Best Energy Efficiency Award in the category of Best-Designed Plant at the “Thailand Energy Awards 2017.” The award was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Air Chief Marshal Prachin Jantong to the PTTGC Branch 6 Refinery and Branch 12 Polyethylene Plant.

Mr. Ratchada Sawasdirak, Vice President – Refinery, said, “We submitted our refineries to the competition on four occasions. We used the first three times we participated in the competition as a case study from which we learned to improve our approach. As a result, we discovered that the gap between research, theory, and practice could be resolved, and we delivered our principles to the competition’s judging committee in line with the competition criteria. It wasn’t easy, but we eventually succeeded. Over the last three years, from 2014 through 2016, our refinery generated significant energy savings of 649,773 MMBTUs (Million BTUs (British Thermal Units)), which reflects the successful engagement across our organization.”

Mr. Teerasak Nachiangmai, Vice President – HDPE Plant 1, said, “PTTGC’s high density polyethylene (HDPE) 1 plant took part in the ‘Thailand Energy Awards’ competition in 2012, before it was granted ISO 50001 Certification. As it did not meet some of the requirements outlined in the committee’s criteria, we had to go back and more meticulously review the criteria for the competition so we could develop and improve our energy management systems to meet this criteria.

“With the plant’s ISO 50001 Certification in 2014, we continuously made real progress, so decided to participate in the competition for 2017. The ongoing implementation of energy conservation programs for the last three years, from 2014 through 2016, led to the plant eventually generating significant thermal and electric energy savings of over 48,244 GJ (Gigajoules – an energy measurement unit) and 4,348 MWh (Megawatts – a power measurement unit) respectively worth a total value of 20 million baht. As a result, the plant received a Thailand Energy Award in the category of Energy Conservation. This happened because we were committed to working thoughtfully and responsibly,” he said.

Held since 2000, the Thailand Energy Awards honors companies that are leaders in energy conservation and alternative energy development approaches. It provides a platform to showcase these companies’ successes and enable more sustainable outcomes. 

Note: Criteria for Competition - Thailand Energy Awards