USTDA to assist in Thailand's plastic recycling drive

By Linda Khoo Hui Li

BANGKOK,  Aug 17 (Bernama) -- The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has  awarded Thailand’s VAO Energy Co., Ltd. (VAO) a US$695,820 (RM3.10 million) grant for a feasibility study to develop a large plastic recycling facility.

The recycling facility will strengthen Thailand’s waste management efforts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Director of USTDA, Enoh T. Ebong, said the agency fully supports Thailand’s ambitious goals to combat the economic and environmental consequences of plastic pollution.

“Our assistance will catalyse private sector investment in highly innovative plastic recycling technologies that US companies are well positioned to supply,” he said in a statement.

The study will help VAO develop a facility to process plastic waste using a high-temperature process called pyrolysis.

The resulting value-added product, pyrolysis oil, is an alternative to traditional fossil fuels that can be used for industrial purposes.

The facility will help reduce emissions by diverting plastic waste from existing waste management methods, such as incineration, and have great applicability to Southeast Asia’s plastic recycling needs.

This project will also advance Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model for inclusive and sustainable growth. 

Meanwhile, Managing Director and Founder of VAO, Ashwin Chugani, said VAO is working with USTDA to deliver cutting-edge solution to reduce plastic pollution at scale. 

“The USTDA teams in Bangkok and Washington have already been hugely helpful in the development of our platform, and their ongoing support will help us to recycle large volumes of plastic in Thailand and across Southeast Asia,” he added. 

Chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Bangkok, Gwen Cardno, said  plastic pollution, in particular ocean plastic waste, is a transboundary issue and addressing it requires international cooperation. 

“Through USTDA, the US government is proud to work together with Thailand on innovative solutions in keeping plastic waste out of our oceans and to support Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green economic model,” she said. 

-- BERNAMA