SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC) and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) have signed a memorandum of understanding on academic collaboration to build upon technologies and intellectual properties initially developed by KMITL towards commercial research in order to promote scientific and technological advancement and drive innovations that respond to global megatrends. As a regional leader of the petrochemical business for sustainability, SCGC is ready to push forward research and create new business opportunities that will lead to tangible and eco-friendly innovations in order to enhance the quality of life and mitigate the impacts of global warming. To this end, SCGC will be leveraging the capabilities of its expert team at i2P Center (Ideas to Products) in combination with KMITL's academic rigor and tech research prowess, which will contribute to significant innovation shifts in the future.
Mr. Niwat Athiwattananont, Technology & Product Development Director of SCGC, stated, "As a regional leader of the chemicals business for sustainability, SCGC seeks to innovate chemical products to drive the economy and enhance the quality of life in accordance with the ESG approach, placing particular significance on the development of high valued-added (HVA) products and solutions to address global megatrends across five main industries: infrastructure, packaging, health and well-being, energy solutions, and automotive. SCGC has the preparedness to drive research towards commercialization thanks to its research and development centers both in Thailand and overseas as well as collaboration with world-class partners and an open-innovation network of premier institutes worldwide. In addition, SCGC operates i2P Center (Ideas to Products) in Rayong, where customer needs are transformed into practical innovative products and solutions that not only meet such needs but also contribute to environmental conservation, energy saving, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In conjunction with KMITL's academic rigor and tech research, I believe we will be able to accelerate innovations for the future, create business opportunities, and elevate the quality of life for the general public."
Assoc. Prof.Komsan Maleesee, Ph.D., Acting President of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), said, "Throughout over 60 years of its establishment, KMITL has always strived to develop Thailand through science and technology and produced research and innovation to the global society. At KMITL, we have quality personnel as well as state-of-the-art laboratories and tools for hands-on experience. KMITL has also been ranked Thailand's No. 1 university by Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 (Asia-Pacific in research and industry income. With an aim to become the world master of innovation, KMITL has prepared its personnel as good researchers and thinkers and sought to produce global citizens through collaboration with all sectors, including businesses that consistently develop innovation. With preparedness in terms of scholarly practice, research, personnel, and students, KMITL is pleased to support and push forward academic collaboration with SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC) to fruition in order to drive KMITL towards its goals and develop the country in cooperation with its network partners."
In addition, the event exhibited KMITL's innovations developed in response to megatrends in such fields as health and well-being, alternative energy, as well as innovation prototypes ready to be further developed for practical applications that will help improve the quality of life for people in the future.