Bangchak and Inthanin Executives Share Experiences on Building a Net Zero Ecosystem at the 15th Bioplastics Market

Gloyta Nathalang, Executive Vice President, Corporate Branding, Communication and Sustainability Activation, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited and Visnu Vongsumitr, Managing Director, Bangchak Retail Company Limited were invited to address “Building a Net Zero Ecosystem” at the 15th Bioplastics Market organized by the Center for Management Technology at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Bangkok.

Gloyta remarked that Bangchak Group, committed to conducting business in harmony with society and the environment, has adapted its businesses to foster balance through green innovation to address the emerging energy transition. This is achieved alongside the balancing of the Energy Trilemma, which involves venturing into clean energy business, and creating an ecosystem that supports the Net Zero target in 2050. For example, it pioneered the E-bike rental platform with automated swapping station network, Winnonie, and established Carbon Markets Club to promote carbon credit trading and raise awareness of global warming. It actively engaged in promoting the circular economy. Bangchak has allocated space within its service stations for various initiatives, such as “Orphan Waste” collection points, “Green Shelter,” beverage cartons recycling program, purchasing used cooking oil for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Visnu Vongsumitr remarked on how Inthanin, the “Green Coffee Shop,” is environmentally friendly. Since 2011, Inthanin has encouraged customers to bring their own cups, promoted the refusal of single-use straws since 2018, and introduced the use of biodegradable plastics since 2015. Other eco-initiatives include “Cups for Saplings” initiated in 2019 in collaboration with Plant Seeding Center, Royal Forest Department. This initiative involves using collected Inthanin Bio Cups to replace plastic nursery bags for plants and has continued to the present. Over the last nine years, Inthanin has utilized more than 163 million Bio Cups, earning it the top ranking in ASEAN for using the most bioplastic, equivalent to a reduction of 6,620 tons of carbon dioxide emissions reduction, or 77.3%, compared to PET plastic cups.

Moreover, the production of Bio Cups from PLA plastic beads reduces the volume of fossil fuels by up to 94.5 GJ (gigajoules), equivalent to planting 170,000 10-year-old trees. Inthanin is committed to using environmentally friendly packaging, recycled materials, and coffee grounds for shop design and decoration. Additionally, Inthanin aims to reduce energy consumption by installing solar panels and LED lighting in 2,500 locations by 2030. Furthermore, Inthanin has joined Carbon Markets Club and its partners as an Eco Destination to participate in conservation activities to promote environmental consciousness and create a low-carbon society together.