These green initiatives are expected to lead the way for regional discussion and cooperation on the green economy by overcoming the increasing global challenges of the energy crisis, economic recession, and climate change.

APEC is a regional economic forum with 21 member economies across the Asia-Pacific region, including Vietnam. Established in 1989, APEC's core value is promoting regional economic integration in a non-legally binding manner and friendly environment.

As a regional sustainable business leader, this year, SCG has worked closely with the organiser of APEC 2022 Thailand to embed a sustainability concept that promotes regional cooperation towards a sustainable future.

Nithi Patarachoke, president of the Cement Building Materials Business at SCG said, "Aside from being an APEC Communication Partner for the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, SCG is proud to collaborate with all regional stakeholders to share our initiatives and innovations to tackle global challenges, especially the economic recovery, leading to common well-being for the regional communities."

From November 14 to 19, under SCG’s booth concept Together to Sustainable Future, SCG is presenting its diverse innovations and collaborations aimed at joining forces to recover the economy.

Among them, the Energy Transition Solutions by SCG aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Agricultural waste biomass is used to replace fossil energy in the production process and Green Biocoal provides an increased heating value through an innovative processing method.

Such initiatives significantly reduce open burning and PM2.5 while the integrated clean energy solution SCG Cleanergy comes in the form of a smart grid to manage the easy trading of power generated by clean energy.

Meanwhile, the world’s first and only Chalom – the logo of APEC 2022 Thailand – was created using the CPAC 3D Printing Solution. This printing technology offers design freedom and aesthetics. It includes the introduction of a large-scale 3D printing solution mated with SCG’s low-carbon hybrid cement for structural work that is marine-friendly.

It has excellent construction speed and can reduce material waste by at least 70 per cent. It can be utilised in several ways, including construction and decoration, furniture and landscape decoration work, as well as printing as a base material for juvenile corals.

In collaboration with APEC 2022 Thailand, the Chalom will be placed in the ocean to revive damaged natural coral reefs, foster greater biodiversity in marine ecosystems, and promote tourism and sustainable incomes for communities.

SCG Chemicals also joined forces with Braskem, the world’s largest biopolymer manufacturer from Brazil, to construct a bio-ethanol dehydration plant to produce bio-ethylene and bio-polyethylene to satisfy the growing demand for bio-plastic products and drive a greener plastic industry.

In another effort, SCG has utilised recycled paper for the green meeting's decorations at the APEC 2022 summit since November 2021. The materials were designed with aesthetics, durability, reusability, portability, and after-use recycling in mind.

Moreover, Eco-friendly bookshelves under the programme Recycling for Kids are also included within the framework of the Green Meeting initiative. After the meeting, paper waste and decorative materials will be repurposed into bookshelves for children's books that are both aesthetic and sturdy.

SCG Vietnam has consistently pursued ESG principles in all of its operations. The company works closely with the government of Vietnam on promoting the Circular Economy, including collaborating with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to organise the kick-off conference to develop the Vietnam National Action Plan toward a Circular Economy on June 28, which received a lot of attention and support from the local community.