Page 171 - CW E-Magazine (8-7-2025)

Special Report Special Report

sound machines, MRI machines, in-vitro scaled up production from 75-ktpa to involved, especially in the processing from 60-ktpa to 100-ktpa tonnes by
diagnostics, as well as orthopaedic and 100-ktpa, running at nameplate capacity. of sugarcane and cassava bio-plastic 2026.
dental implants, according to Fitch resins. In addition, the region has
Solutions. Similarly, NatureWorks, a joint only a limited number of bio-plastics With Vietnam’s strategic location,
venture between Thailand’s PTT Global manufacturers, most of which operate low labour costs, and tax incentives, it
Vietnam is strengthening its posi- Chemical and Cargill, is building a on a small scale. Unlike conventional is an attractive hub for recycling ope-
tion by investing in facilities that 75-ktpa PLA facility in Nakhon Sawan plastics, which benefi t from mature rations and fresh investments. Chinese
manufacture plastic-based medical Province, to be in full production this infrastructure and economies of scale, recycler Intco Recycling Resources is
consumables, while the Philippines and year. It will be an integrated plant with bio-plastics remain structurally dis- investing $60-mn to expand its faci-
Indonesia are focusing on domestic production sites for lactic acid, lactide, advantaged. lity in the country to produce recycled
demand for personal protection equip- and polymer, to support the Asia Pacifi c plastics for decorative building materi-
ment (PPE) and medical supplies. region in sectors such as 3D printing, The price volatility of agricultural als, primarily for export to Europe and
the US. Intco has six plastics recycling
nonwovens for hygiene, compostable feedstocks such as sugarcane and corn Target Your Market More Effectively
In Singapore, the market for medi- coff ee capsules/food serviceware, tea also adds to economic uncertainty, bases, including a facility for food-
grade recycled plastics in Malaysia.
cal devices is experiencing rapid bags and fl exible packaging. as prices are strongly infl uenced by ChemImpex IndiaChemTrade
growth due to the government’s focus weather conditions and harvest yields.
In 2024, UK-based Cedo acquired
on enhancing healthcare infrastructure Furthermore, Brazilian biopoly- Meanwhile, not all bio-plastics are bio- For subscribers only Free for subscribers of Chemical Weekly
Vietnamese recycler Vinatic, boosting
and promoting innovation in the medi- mer producer Braskem and Thai- degradable, and even those that are may ChemImpex, the trade database, tracks, on a daily IndiaChemTrade provides consolidated trade statistics
its global recycling capacity to 100-ktpa.
cal technology sector. However, the land’s SCG Chemicals have set up a require specifi c conditions to decom- basis, exports and imports of chemicals and related of India. The information provided here is based on the
market faces regulatory hurdles, such as joint venture, Braskem Siam Com- pose eff ectively. For instance, some The move strengthens Cedo’s foot-
print in Asia and complements its
the recently introduced Cybersecurity pany, and are touting the production biodegradable plastics require industrial products through the major ports in India — a vital annual trade data published by the Directorate General
operations in the Netherlands.
Labelling Scheme for Medical Devices, of the “fi rst of its kind in Southeast composting facilities to break down, source of commercial intelligence. Find out on-line of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, Government
which may increase compliance costs Asia” bio-ethylene and bio-based and these are not widely available in how international markets are moving; where your of India. The database can be searched by: Chemical
Thailand has strong demand for with UK-based Plastic Energy Ltd., Code to obtain the consolidated
for manufacturers and limit market polyethylene to support regional and most Asian countries. competitors are exporting and at what price; where Name/Harmonised Elsewhere, countries like Cambodia,
imports are coming from and how
is building an advanced chemical Laos, and Myanmar face surging
access to unlabelled products. global demand. recycled plastics and a national re- their prices are trade (import or export) in that item; or by Country to
moving. Download all this data, seamlessly, for a
Boom in recycling investments in cycling infrastructure, especially in recycling plant in Pengerang, Johor. plastic consumption but lack suffi cient
obtain the trade (import or export) in all chemicals and
Hotspots for sustainable plastics Meanwhile, PTT MCC, a joint ven- Southeast Asia Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Rayong – Expected to be operational by 2026, recycling systems. In Phnom Penh
related products between India and that country
small fee — online, anytime, with no hassles.
solutions ture between PTT Global Chemical and As plastic waste increasingly pol- though it still relies on the infor- the facility will process 33-ktpa of alone, 10-mn plastic bags are used
ChemXchange
In terms of sustainable plastics, Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical Corpora- lutes Southeast Asia’s environment, mal sector for collection. In Rayong, end-of-life plastics. daily, underscoring the urgent need
Malaysia and Thailand are leading the tion, has since 2017 produced bio-poly- there is a growing emphasis on plastic Indorama and Austria’s Alpla jointly for action.
Open to all registered users — no subscription required
Southeast Asian market. butylene succinate (bio-PBS), which waste recycling. produce 30-ktpa of food-grade rPET Vietnam generates around 3.7-mt
ChemXchange — the chemical exchange with a difference — is where you can identify your buyers and sup-
consists of succinic acid derived from and 15-ktpa of rHDPE. SCG and Dow of plastic waste annually, yet only Southeast Asia at K 2025
plyers on-line, any time. This unique platform is free to all advertisers in the print version of Chemical Weekly.
Malaysia utilises empty fruit bunches sugar/cassava and 1,4-butanediol. Indonesia, where only 10% of plastic target 200-ktpa of plastic recycling 11% is recycled. However, this is Fifty exhibitors from Southeast
(EFBs) and palm oil waste to produce waste is currently recycled, is targeting by 2030 through advanced sorting changing. Duytan Recycling, in coope- Asia will be participating in K 2025
For more information contact: 022-24044477. Fax: 022-24044450
bio-plastics such as polylactic acid Challenges to the growth of bio-plastics a 70% reduction in marine plastic technologies. Email: corporate@chemicalweekly.com or log on to chemicalweekly.com
ration with Ajinomoto Vietnam under from October 8-15, 2025 in Dusseldorf,
(PLA), polysaccharides, lignin, and in Asia through a government-backed $18-bn the Extended Producer Responsibility Germany. Malaysia is the most strongly
polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) through Though the market for bio-plastics strategy (2017–2040) to expand collec- In Malaysia, the country’s national (EPR) scheme, collected and recycled represented country with 15 exhibitors,
microbial fermentation. The country in Asia is driven by growing environ- tion, boost recycling capacity, and petrochemical fi rm, Petronas Chemi- 94-tonnes of plastic in 2023 and aims followed by Thailand and Singapore
positions itself as a strong competi- mental concerns and changing con- improve disposal systems. cals Group Berhad, in partnership to increase its PET recycling capacity with 11 exhibitors each.
tor to Thailand in sustainable plastics, sumer preferences, especially in the
according to the Malaysian Palm Oil packaging sector, its growth could be Key initiatives include a 36-ktpa
Council. On the other hand, Thailand, hindered by a variety of factors. rPET facility by PT Alba Tridi Plastics
exports 90% of its bio-plastics to mar- Recycling (a joint venture with Alba
kets including Italy, the Netherlands, A key barrier is the lack of cohe- Group Asia) and a large-scale PET Missed a copy !!!
China, South Korea, and the US. rent government policies related to bio- recycling plant in East Java by Danone- For Digital Edition of this month’s issue & all other past issues
plastics production, usage, and waste Aqua and Veolia. Indorama Ventures Visit www.hpicindia.com
Major investors in Thailand include management. This regulatory uncer- is also building a site in Karawang to
French energy major Total and Dutch tainty makes it diffi cult for stakeholders recycle 2-billion PET bottles/year and PDF copies available for download
biochemical giant Corbion’s joint ven- to plan strategically or invest in has secured a $200-mn IFC loan to Register Now
ture, Total Corbion PLA, which manu- value chain improvements. Another expand facilities in Nakhon Pathom Contact: For Subscription : Mrs. Usha S. - usha@hpicindia.com
factures sugarcane-based PLA, and has major deterrent is the high costs and Rayong (Thailand). For Advertising : Mr. Vijay Raghavan - vijay@hpicindia.com

170 Chemical Weekly July 8, 2025 Chemical Weekly July 8, 2025 Mrs. Usha S. - usha@hpicindia.com 171

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