The Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) has reached a significant milestone in its ambitious "Saraburi Sandbox Low Carbon City" initiative, marking one year of progress in transforming Saraburi into Thailand’s first low-carbon city. The project, a Public-Private-People Partnership (PPP) led by the Governor of Saraburi, has seen tangible advancements in reducing carbon emissions, developing sustainable cement production, and promoting clean energy adoption.
A Year of Innovation and Action
Dr. Chana Poomee, Chairman of TCMA, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to Saraburi’s low-carbon transition. Since its inception on 15 August 2023, TCMA has played a key role in leveraging global expertise, advanced technologies, and green financing to drive sustainability in the cement industry. Over the past year, five major areas of progress have been achieved:
- Low-Carbon Cement Development
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Research and production of hydraulic cement—a low-carbon alternative—by clinker substitution to reduce emissions.
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Nanotechnology-enhanced cement for improved performance.
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Adoption of hydraulic cement has already cut over 1 million tons of CO₂ emissions from 2023 to early 2024.
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Smart & Green Mining
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Efficient resource management and sustainable land rehabilitation to ensure long-term environmental benefits.
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Clean Energy Transition
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Increased use of solar energy and shift to biomass and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) to replace coal.
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Potential reduction of 9-12 million tons of CO₂ annually while tackling PM 2.5 pollution from agricultural burning.
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Carbon Utilization Research
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Exploring innovative methods such as carbon-to-methanol conversion to create value from captured CO₂.
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Low-Carbon Agriculture & Green Space Expansion
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Supporting sustainable farming and reforestation efforts to enhance Saraburi’s green landscape.
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Next Phase: Scaling Up Global Collaborations
Looking ahead, TCMA is committed to strengthening domestic and international partnerships with key global organizations, including the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). These collaborations will accelerate progress in energy transition and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)—pioneering efforts for Thailand’s cement industry.
“Cross-sectoral cooperation and international expertise will be vital in achieving real, lasting impact,” said Dr. Chana Poomee, emphasizing the importance of collective action in Thailand’s journey toward decarbonization.
Saraburi Sandbox Event: A Platform for Progress
To mark the one-year milestone, TCMA hosted the “Saraburi Sandbox: Joining Forces for Thailand’s First Low-Carbon City” event on January 22, 2025, at Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy, Muak Lek, Saraburi. The gathering brought together over 700 participants from government, industry, academia, and civil society to reflect on lessons learned and shape the next phase of the project.
With its strong commitment to sustainability, technological innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, TCMA is positioning Thailand’s cement industry as a leader in the region’s low-carbon transition—one step closer to a net-zero future.
#TCMA #ThaiCementActionToNetZero #HydraulicCement #LowCarbonCement #TCMAEnergyTransition #TCMAGreenIndustry #SaraburiSandbox #TeamSaraburiSandbox
