SCG has positioned ASEAN as a central pillar for future industrial competitiveness amid ongoing global economic transformation, the company said in a statement released on its news channel. President and Chief Executive Officer Thammasak Sethaudom highlighted how structural changes, supply chain pressures and technological advances are rewriting competition rules across the region. The announcement underscores SCG’s commitment to fostering collaboration that leverages complementary strengths among ASEAN members while addressing risks from imported goods and market volatility. Thammasak noted that failure to adapt could lead to decline in foundational industries not only in Thailand but throughout ASEAN.
According to the company’s announcement, ASEAN is emerging as a strategic growth hub alongside China, supported by its large population, expanding trade and foreign investment inflows. Asian Development Bank figures project the region’s GDP to grow by an average of 4.7 percent, a rate comparable to other dynamic economies such as India. Thammasak pointed to intra-ASEAN trade expansion and the bloc’s neutral stance as factors enabling self-reliance if collaboration deepens. SCG also views China as a long-term strategic partner capable of creating shared value through joint manufacturing and export initiatives.
In the short term, SCG is focusing on operational resilience through real-time risk management for energy and raw materials as well as accelerated adoption of clean energy and efficiency measures. The company maintained strict financial discipline, which contributed to Adjusted Cash EBITDA of THB 14,929 million in the first quarter of 2026, a 17 percent increase from the same period a year earlier. These steps aim to secure energy stability and preserve cash flow amid daily market fluctuations. Thammasak stressed that many businesses fail not from lack of profit but from depleted cash reserves.
SCG plans to expand its regional footprint in the medium term from 2026 to 2027 by integrating robotics, artificial intelligence and digital technologies across its operations. Initiatives include advancing ethane feedstock flexibility at Long Son Petrochemicals in Vietnam and studying a potential joint venture in olefins and polyolefins between GC and SCGC in Thailand. The conglomerate is also developing green products, smart value items and high-value-added offerings to meet evolving consumer demands. Such moves build on SCG’s existing businesses in cement and building materials, chemicals through SCGC, packaging via SCGP, and clean energy.
For the long term beginning in 2026, SCG will pursue sustainable growth under the Inclusive Green Growth framework that prioritizes clean energy investments, circular economy practices and greenhouse gas reductions across its value chain. The strategy creates shared value for stakeholders while positioning the company for emerging opportunities in future-oriented sectors. Thammasak described these platforms as essential for establishing new growth curves over the next three to five years. The approach integrates environmental, social and governance principles that have guided SCG throughout its more than 113-year history.
Technology such as robotics and AI will serve as key enablers for transformation in production, supply chains and research, yet SCG maintains that people remain the decisive factor in delivering results. The company has positioned itself as an Organization of Opportunities to upskill employees and help them embrace these tools effectively. Thammasak observed that without human capability development, even advanced technology will not translate into competitive advantage. This focus on talent complements SCG’s broader push to strengthen the entire business ecosystem.
Collaboration across supply chains and among ASEAN stakeholders is essential for the region to avoid industrial decline, according to the company’s statement. Thammasak called for joint efforts that enhance national and regional capabilities while building resilience against geopolitical tensions and climate impacts. In the announcement, which aligns with themes of strengthened industrial collaboration amid global transformation, he concluded that ASEAN’s collective strengths can support mutual prosperity when partners advance together.
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