SET-listed PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) is teaming up with Alpla Packaging to build a recycling plant for plastic waste in Rayong with an initial budget of 1 billion baht.
The recycling plant is at Rayong's Asia Industrial Estate. Construction has begun and is to be completed in the next 18 months.
President and chief executive Supattanapong Punmeechaow said PTTGC is negotiating investment details with Alpla and the agreement will be announced soon.
Alpla is an Austrian recycling company that runs a local unit for plastic packaging solutions in Prachin Buri.
"The recycling plant will process single-use plastic waste, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE), which are materials used for plastic packaging for bottles, straws and bags," Mr Supattanapong said.
The plant will have a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes a year in the first phase. Some 35,000 tonnes will be from recycling PET products and 15,000 tonnes from PE.
Mr Supattanapong said the plant will be the first recycling plant that meets European standards.
He said PTTGC is positioning the recycling plant for waste management of plastic waste in food packaging and consumer products, following global trends and international policy geared towards reducing plastic to preserve the environment.
"We will export our recycled products overseas, to countries where recycled products for food, drink and consumer goods are allowed," Mr Supattanapong said. "In Thailand, regulations prevent the use of recycled packages for edible goods. The government should promote this use of recycled products in the near future."
He said Thailand has a great deal of single-use plastic waste in both landfills and offshore areas that are unmanaged and PTTGC wants to deal with the problem.
The company aims to reduce single-use plastic to zero in the next five years and focus on bioplastics to reproduce packaging products.
Bernd Wachter, Alpla's managing director, said Thailand is a high-potential country for a new recycling plant because the population is large.
"Alpla expects to expand new cooperation with Thai companies and state authorities in the near future," Mr Wachter said.
Alpla will support PTTGC's integrated plastic recycling plant, which will have the capability to produce quality recycled plastic resin.
The recycling plant is a part of the circular economy principle, which has become a priority for state authorities and companies aiming to preserve natural resources and the environment.