SCGC partners with Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, to embark on a proactive research collaboration to develop special green polymers
SCGC partners with Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, to embark on a proactive research collaboration to develop special green polymers, expand the scope of health and sustainability innovation research, and develop materials of the future in anticipation of megatrends
The Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, and SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC), a chemical business for sustainability, have joined forces to organize SCGC-Mahidol Science Symposium: “Healthcare, Well-being & Sustainability” to advance collaborative commercial research and push forward innovations in the areas of healthcare and well-being and sustainability at both national and international levels in response to global megatrends. At the event, a memorandum of understanding for “Research and Innovation for the Future Materials” was signed by Assoc.Prof.Dr.Palangpon Kongsaeree, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, and Dr. Suracha Udomsak, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Vice President – New Business, SCGC, at Stang Mongkolsuk Meeting Room at Mahidol University – Phayathai Campus. The signing ceremony was also attended by executives of the Faculty of Science, namely Deputy Dean Assoc.Prof.Dr.Weerachai Siripunvaraporn, Deputy Dean for Research and International Relations Prof. Dr.Rutaiwan Tohtong, and Assistant Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr.Nuttawee Niamsiri, as well as SCGC executives, including Mr.Niwat Athiwattananont, Technology Director, and Dr.Sumate Charoenchaidet, Head of Central Research and Development.
The Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, and SCGC began an academic partnership in 2007 and established SCG-MUSC Innovation Research Center in 2019 at the Chemistry Building, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, to develop special polymers using the in-depth chemical knowledge of Mahidol University in combination with SCGC’s cutting-edge scale-up industrial technology in order to advance the development of materials and products of the future.
This collaboration will expand the scope of partnership to healthcare and well-being and sustainability innovations on the basis of the circular economy principles in order to address the crisis of resource scarcity, which will in turn enhance the quality of life and foster sustainability in the chemical industry. This collaborative endeavor will also promote open innovation through a public-private partnership that combines the strengths of the partner organizations for the research and development of scientific and technological innovations in anticipation of global megatrends. In addition, this collaboration will incubate and develop a new generation of experts and innovators equipped with scientific expertise to create innovations that enhance the quality of life for people effectively and sustainably in the future.
Dr.Suracha Udomsak, Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Vice President – New Business, SCGC, said, “SCGC strives to develop innovative chemicals that improve the quality of life for people while also upholding its social and environmental stewardship in a sustainable manner in order to truly meet customer needs. To this end, SCGC bases its product and innovation development on the principles of circular economy and megatrends. In addition, SCGC has continued to drive innovations by fostering research and development networks with leading organizations and institutes in Thailand and globally in order to research and develop high value-added (HVA) products and services. The signing of the memorandum of understanding for ‘Research and Innovation for the Future Materials’ between SCGC and the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, will elevate and expand the scope of the research and innovation development in three areas: 1) Development of special green polymers, such as compounds that enhance the efficiency of catalysts for the development of green polymers, focusing on four primary groups of solutions: Reduce, Recyclable, Recycle, and Renewable; 2) Innovative health product research and development, with an emphasis on developing products that enhance comfort and the quality of life for the elderly and patients of chronic diseases and prevent or minimize illnesses and emerging diseases; and 3) Integrated decarbonization research and development, encompassing the reduction of waste and carbon dioxide emissions in petrochemical plants, the direct conversion of carbon dioxide into materials for petrochemical plants, and the use of low-carbon footprint feedstock in production.”
Assoc.Prof.Dr.Palangpon Kongsaeree, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, stated, “This symposium, as well as the renewal of the memorandum of understanding, will further strengthen the relationship between SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC) and the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University as well as the innovation research and development collaboration, which will lead to innovative research that answers economic challenges as well as promote commercial research in Thailand and enhance its competitiveness on the international level. At the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, we have experienced faculty members and researchers with diverse areas of specialization, particularly in the fields of fundamental science and medical science, which align with the needs of the private sector. This event, thus, marks the starting point for further collaborative efforts in other areas, such as in the areas of healthcare and well-being and sustainability, and presents an excellent opportunity for the personnel and students of the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University to showcase their research projects and innovations that promote circularity and respond to megatrends as well as to exchange perspectives on research and innovation with SCGC’s research team to discuss possible future research collaboration. Scholarships were also granted to prospective graduate students. In addition, the symposium gave the personnel and students of the Faculty of Science an opportunity to develop and flesh out their startup ideas.”
Furthermore, at SCGC-Mahidol Science Symposium: “Healthcare, Well-being & Sustainability,” further research and development collaborations between SCGC’s research team and the faculty members specializing in diverse fields, including chemistry, biotechnology, physics, biochemistry, material science and innovation, rubber and polymer, pharmacology, physiology, and anatomy, was discussed. The event also featured presentations of research studies on various topics, such as biomarker detection, drug delivery, enzymes, materials, and sensors, as well as discussions of future partnerships and knowledge exchange opportunities with SCGC’s research team. Scholarships were also awarded to graduate students.
Source: SCG
