Bangkok: TCMA joins in announcing a significant national milestone, leading the cement industry towards the Net Zero 2050 goal. The Thai Cement Industry Association (TCMA) has announced a significant national breakthrough in driving the cement and concrete industry towards the Net Zero 2050 goal through collaboration between the government, industry, and international partners under the 'Decarbonization of the Cement and Concrete Sectors in Thailand' project. This initiative also aims to accelerate the adoption of green technologies, innovations, and investments to enhance competitiveness and foster long-term economic growth.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Chana Phoomi, Honorary President of the TCMA and Chairman of the ASEAN Cement Manufacturers Council (AFCM), stated that today's "National Milestone" reflects the power of collaboration both domestically and internationally, with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as the central coordinating body, in partnership with TCMA and Thai government agencies, including the Department of Climate Change and Environment and the Department of Industrial Works. This initiative is supported by the Canadian government through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC) with a CAD$8 million grant to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector.
TCMA serves as a central hub for collaboration throughout the industry value chain, driving the implementation of the 'Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap' while supporting the country's NDC 3.0 target. This plays a crucial role in enhancing competitiveness, attracting green investment, and fostering long-term economic growth. 'Carbon reduction is not just a challenge, but a strategic opportunity to elevate the country's competitiveness. The progress made from this project encompasses policy, innovation, technology, standards, and human resource development, which will accelerate the cement industry's transition to Net Zero, in line with the target.'
Another significant technological advancement is the preparation to pilot the Mobile Carbon Capture Unit (MCCU) technology from CETRI, Canada. This advanced innovation is designed to be flexible and adaptable for use in real-world production environments. Scheduled to begin in June, the MCCU will be rotated among cement plants of TCMA member companies in the 'Saraburi Sandbox' area to test its effectiveness in various operational contexts and pave the way for concrete industrial-scale application. 'The pilot testing of MCCU technology in Thailand reflects the power of international collaboration in driving innovation into practical application. It accelerates learning through hands-on experience, confirms the technology's effectiveness, strengthens domestic technical capabilities, reduces investment risk, and will be a crucial foundation for future industrial-scale expansion.'
In the investment dimension, developing projects with advanced technology and standards enhances investor confidence, increases the potential to attract green investment, and expands access to sustainability funding-a key mechanism for accelerating the transition to Net Zero. TCMA also drives the industry under the concept of "the power of collaboration," systematically accelerating the adoption of low-carbon technologies in the manufacturing sector. This includes innovations in low-carbon cement such as Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) and carbon capture and storage technology (CCUS) to increase efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and enhance the competitiveness of Thai industries.
At the regional level, TCMA has expanded its role through its chairmanship of the ASEAN Cement Manufacturers Council (AFCM), fostering cooperation and promoting the AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap. This roadmap serves as a shared framework for reducing carbon emissions in the ASEAN cement industry, while simultaneously upgrading technology, standards, and competitiveness across the region. 'TCMA, as the AFCM chair, is committed to propelling ASEAN towards becoming a low-carbon region, using cooperation as a key mechanism for technology transfer and industry growth, while creating regional economic opportunities,' TCMA affirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration and welcoming international support in both technology and funding to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon industry and enhance Thailand's competitiveness on the global stage.