DPIM partners with MTEC for the second year of 'CE Design in Action,' promoting and developing entrepreneurs in Thai industries through circular economy principles.
24 November 2023
Venue: Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani
A recent seminar by the Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM), Ministry of Industry and the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) equipped Thai industries and entrepreneurs with Circular Economy knowledge and practical tools to implement it in their businesses. During the project’s second-year showcase, participants witnessed the successful implementation of CE principles (CE Design in Action).
Dr. Teerawut Tannukij, Director of Innovation in Raw Materials and Primary Industrial Division, DPIM, warned that our ongoing economic growth has come at a heavy cost – rampant depletion of resources and mountains of waste, fueled by the outdated Linear Economy or ‘take-make-dispose’ model. The vast majority of products and production processes are designed in a linear fashion without considering reuse, recycling, or proper disposal when they become obsolete. This has significant environmental and societal consequences throughout the product’s life cycle. However, the emphasis has been on other factors, such as pricing, and products have been designed in a way that makes their lifespan shorter than necessary. This encourages consumers to switch to new products, continuously increasing global waste and waste products. This exacerbates a decline in the limited global reserves of natural resources and an increasing trend of resource scarcity.
Transitioning from a linear to a circular economy hinge on one crucial move: designing for the circular economy. It emphasizes minimizing natural resource use, maximizing benefits, increasing recycling, preserving resource value, using them as long as possible, and minimizing waste. Its goal is to create sustainable production and consumption patterns.
DPIM is the principal agency responsible for sourcing and managing raw materials. These raw materials include primary materials obtained from natural sources and secondary raw materials obtained from recycling or waste. The department aims to ensure resource stability for the industrial sector, which supports the development of the country’s target industries. This, in turn, enhances the sustainable competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs. The Ministry of Industry has assigned the department as the “Focal Point” responsible for promoting the circular economy. As part of the government’s policy towards a low-carbon society, the department has launched the ‘Promotion of Design for Circular Economy for Sustainable Resource Utilization’ project. The ‘Circular in Action’ project, now in its second year, leverages MTEC’s consulting expertise to empower Thai industries with sustainable practices. Its continuation is attributed to the success in the past year, 2022, and a positive response from entrepreneurs.
In 2023, there are notable success stories from participating businesses that received in-depth consultations, totaling six companies. In the seminar, these businesses, along with those who participated in the project in the previous year, are sharing their experiences and achievements in circular economy-oriented design to empower Thai industries and foster the growth of innovative startups. There is also considerable interest from many other aspiring business leaders and small business owners. Therefore, DPIM is expanding the scope of the project in the fiscal year 2023, entering its third year. Interested individuals and entrepreneurial minds can apply for participation through the department’s website.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Toemsak Srikhirin, Director, National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), NSTDA, remarked: ‘The seminar, “Empowering Thai Industries and Elevating Businesses through Circular Economy Design in Action,” taking place today, is a part of the “Design for Circular Economy” project, which focuses on sustainable resource utilization. In its second consecutive year, this project has received support from the Innovation in Raw Materials and Primary Industries Division, Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM), Ministry of Industry. The project plays a pivotal role in propelling the nation toward a Circular Economy characterized by the responsible and maximized utilization of resources, aligning with government policies and the country’s development direction. This initiative serves as a platform for conveying the experiences of applying the principles of “Design for Circular Economy” within the Thai industry, facilitating its development and enhancing the application of Circular Economy concepts in design. MTEC, utilizing its expertise in materials science research and leveraging its academic collaboration network, both nationally and internationally, serves as a mentor to entrepreneurs. Through hands-on training and practical consultation, they disseminate accurate information and guidance, promoting the improvement and development of products, packaging, production processes, materials selection, and management when products reach the end of their lifecycle or are no longer in use, all align with the Circular Economy framework.’
As an example of success achieved within the “Promoting Sustainable Resource Utilization through Circular Economy Principles in Design Project,” a vital initiative in advancing the Circular Economy in accordance with government policies, there was the case of Kenzai Ceramics, a leading manufacturer and exporter of floor tiles in Thailand. The company prioritizes resource efficiency. In this project, their production processes are improved, waste generation is minimized, and the value of resources is maximized. Kenzai Ceramics faced a significant challenge in optimizing the utilization of leftover tiles within their factory to achieve a “Zero Waste” approach. Additionally, efforts were made to leverage waste materials from other ceramic factories to create added value.
The research team at MTEC, NSTDA, performed an in-depth data analysis of ‘pervious concrete paving/ porous, permeable block’ production using ceramic wastes. However, small-sized ceramic powder residues and glazed ceramic waste from other factories rendered them unsuitable for this purpose. Therefore, the team embarked on a mission to find a solution that could efficiently utilize both types of waste up to its full potential. To this end, the team conducted a comprehensive study of resource utilization and recycling within the system, culminating in developing a pioneering process that minimizes resource and energy consumption. This has resulted in a production process for air-permeable bricks that significantly reduces reliance on primary raw materials or natural resources by employing ceramic wastes as the initial raw material and utilizing a non-firing production process. It has the added benefit of significantly reducing energy consumption and production costs while enabling the complete recycling of discarded tiles.
An assessment of mass balance in the production process revealed that the amount of waste generated was negligible. The research and development team at MTEC conducted a study on the formula for producing ventilation blocks” using ceramic waste as a substitute for sand, a primary raw material in making bricks. The team conducted various tests to evaluate properties such as compressive strength, water absorption, and density. The findings indicate that the prototype ventilation blocks (air-permeable bricks) made from ceramic waste have properties comparable to those of conventional bricks available in the market. The team shared this knowledge with the factory, enabling them to produce prototypes and serve as a foundation for future sales. This project has produced several successful examples of participating companies, including Union Polymer Limited (Public Company), Fortune Part Industry Limited (Public Company), and others.
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