Bangkok – September 11, 2024: Principal Capital Public Company Limited (PRINC), a private hospital management and healthcare business operator under Principal Healthcare, and SCG Chemicals (SCGC), a leader in comprehensive polymer solutions for sustainability, along with Baxter Healthcare, a global pharmaceutical and medical supply company focused on kidney health for Thai people, and Dynoflex, a manufacturer, distributor, and installer of vinyl flooring materials both domestically and internationally, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Economy Collaboration: Dialysis Solution Bags to Recycled PVC Tiles. This marks the first time in Thailand that used dialysis solution bags have been properly recycled, adding value by transforming them into high-quality recycled PVC tiles. The project will initially be implemented at Prince Suvarnabhumi Hospital’s patient dormitory and will expand to three other hospitals in the group, reflecting the maximization of resource utilization according to circular economy principles and driving Thailand towards a low-carbon society in a concrete manner.
Dr. Krittawit Lersutthisagul, Managing Director of Principal Capital Public Company Limited (PRINC), revealed, “PRINC aims to be a model for sustainable hospital management, thus prioritizing ‘medical waste’ management. Used dialysis solution bags are one of the most abundant medical wastes and are a type of plastic waste that does not come into contact with patients. With proper waste management, such waste does not become infectious waste. Currently, 8 million Thai people suffer from chronic kidney disease, with an increasing trend every year. More than 25,000 patients require peritoneal dialysis treatment, with each patient using approximately 1,460 bags of dialysis solution per year, equivalent to 145 tons of medical waste per month or 1,740 tons per year. As PRINC is a private hospital management and healthcare business operator with a policy to promote sustainable operations, supporting eco-friendly PVC tiles in collaboration with SCGC, an expert in environmentally friendly polymers, has resulted in the successful development of recycled PVC tiles that can be used in practice, aligning with PRINC’s circular economy policy.”
Mr. Chatri Eamsinvana, Chief Commercial Officer of SCG Chemicals (SCGC), said, “Used dialysis solution bags are PVC plastic, which is medical waste that is increasing every year. However, if managed in a Closed-Loop system by properly recovering it and using advanced recycling processes, it can be transformed into new products that create many benefits in line with the circular economy principle. SCGC has applied its expertise in recycling technology along with Green Polymer solutions** to transform used dialysis solution bags into high-quality recycled PVC pellets using SCGC’s recycling technology. The process maintains efficiency and properties, is safe to use, and can be produced into recycled PVC tiles, which is a first in Thailand. **It can replace up to 80% of PVC, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions towards a concrete low-carbon society, following the Low Waste, Low Carbon approach for a sustainable world. Initially, we have piloted the recycling of 5,320 used dialysis solution bags, equivalent to 800 kilograms of PVC plastic waste, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,110 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent, or comparable to planting 120 trees.”
Mr. Paul Uthaichalanom, Country Manager for Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam of Baxter Healthcare (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a global pharmaceutical and medical supply company focused on kidney health for Thai people, spoke about this collaboration: “At Baxter, we are committed to conducting business for the sustainable life of patients, society, and communities. We are well aware of the environmental problems from dialysis solution bag waste, which is increasing every year. Baxter, as a leader in this business, is ready to cooperate with various sectors to reduce waste from dialysis solution bags. For this project, we focus on educating patients about the correct method of cleaning dialysis solution bags before disposal, following guidelines from the Department of Health, to allow the waste from dialysis solution bags to be reprocessed into new products. We believe that cooperation from all sectors will be a key force in reducing the amount of dialysis solution bag waste and creating a sustainable society.”
Mr. Kanit Sarasin, Managing Director of Construction Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Dynoflex), said, “Dynoflex is committed to developing products and production processes to increase environmental friendliness continuously. For example, participating in the carbon reduction label project, green label project of the Thailand Environment Institute, green industry project of the Ministry of Industry, and sourcing alternative energy for use in the production process. The recycled PVC tile project from dialysis solution bags is another opportunity for the company to use technology, knowledge, and experience in developing products that can recycle medical waste for beneficial use. It can reduce resource usage while maintaining quality characteristics according to international standards such as ISO (International Standardization Organization), JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Material) as before.”
The recycled PVC tile project from dialysis solution bags plans to install in newly renovated areas of four PRINC network hospitals, including Prince Suvarnabhumi Hospital, Ruamphaet Phitsanulok Hospital, Prince Sisaket Hospital, and Prince Mukdahan Hospital, covering an installation area of over 9,000 square meters.
About Principal Capital
Principal Capital Public Company Limited (PRINC) is a private hospital management company and healthcare business under Principal Healthcare, which has a rapidly growing network of hospitals and clinics. It has developed IT systems and standardized medical services and focuses on expanding its business to secondary cities. It was established in 2016 with the organization’s mission to develop people with a giving spirit to take care of people, communities and society. Therefore, its business focuses on improving the quality of life along with taking care of people’s health. PRINC is committed to expanding its network and developing the healthcare and health tech ecosystem in Thailand and the ASEAN region to jointly create opportunities for equal access to quality healthcare services.
More information www.principalcapital.co.th
About SCGC
SCG Chemicals or SCGC is a regional leader in integrated chemical products, focusing on business growth along with sustainability. Its main production bases are in Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, covering upstream products (olefins) to downstream products, including the three main types of plastic pellets: polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride.
SCGC drives the economy in the ASEAN region and improves people’s quality of life, aiming to become the “Leading Integrated Chemical Business for Sustainability” in line with the SDGs and ESG goals, emphasizing the efficient use of resources in line with the circular economy principle, with an emphasis on developing Green Innovation & Solutions, such as environmentally friendly polymer innovations or Green Polymer under the SCGC GREEN POLYMERTM brand, as well as technologies that meet low carbon requirements, in order to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.
In addition, it develops high value-added (HVA) products and services to respond to global megatrends, such as joint investment in the production of conductive components for the production of lithium-ion battery terminals for electric vehicles (EVs), the transition to clean energy, and changes in infrastructure from urban expansion, etc.
For more information, visit www.scgchemicals.com
About Baxter Healthcare
Baxter Healthcare is a leader in critical care and renal care products used in the home, hospital, clinic and other settings. Millions of patients, caregivers and health care providers rely on our products every day. For more than 90 years, we have been working at critical patient times. Our products and innovations, including digital health solutions and therapies available in more than 100 countries, have helped save lives and sustainably improve the lives of patients. In keeping with the mission of healthcare providers, Baxter employees around the world continue to build on our long-standing tradition of innovation and medical advancements to transform healthcare.
For more information, visit www.baxter.com
About Dynoflex
The construction equipment manufacturing company has been operating in the business of manufacturing, distributing and providing installation services for vinyl flooring materials both domestically and internationally for 56 years. It has received the license and technology from Ryber & Son Co., Ltd., Norway under the Dynoflex brand. The company has been committed to developing products and production processes to increase environmental friendliness, such as participating in the Carbon Reduction Label and Green Label projects of the Thai Environment Institute, and the Green Industry project of the Ministry of Industry. Currently, Dynoflex products are trusted by buildings in various government and private sectors. There are also more than 200 domestic distributors and exports to foreign countries.
More information www.dynoflextiles.com
Published on: Sep 12, 2024
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