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Published on March 28, 2008

It has set sustainable development as its primary mission to promote its business operations with contributions to the economy, society and environment.

President and CEO Kan Trakulhoon yesterday said the world was facing many challenges - for example, a sharp rise in population and a rapid decline in natural resources - which directly affect the business sector.

More firms around the world are paying greater attention to corporate social responsibility as well as encouraging their employees to take part in community contributions.

"We announce our intention to be a regional market leader by 2015, contributing to the sustainable growth of Asean and the local communities where we operate," he said. "We believe that if a community is pleasant to live in, the environment is in good condition and its natural resources are managed properly, a business in that community can grow well."

The company was not making such a huge investment just to expand its business domestically and internationally, but also to improve the environment and society.

The Bt15-billion budget is for energy-related projects, a part of environmental projects. Of that, SCG Cement plans to invest more than Bt5.85 billion for the installation of waste-heat power generation (WHG) facilities at all its cement plants in Thailand and Cambodia.

The facilities not only reduce the natural resources used, but also generate electricity that does not produce any greenhouse gases.

Pramote Techasupatkul, president of SCG Cement, said the WHG facilities would save the group 90 megawatts and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 300,000 tonnes a year. All the installations would be complete next year.

"We will be able to save 10 per cent of our electricity costs each year. Last year we paid about Bt10 billion," he said.

The firm has spent Bt635 million on social activities.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul

The Nation