In an era where sustainability is more than just a buzzword but a necessity, Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited and Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CPF) have stepped up to the plate in a major way. These two powerhouses have signed a business sustainability cooperation agreement to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from a rather unlikely source—used cooking oil. The commemoration of this groundbreaking partnership took place on October 28, 2024, with key figures like Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach, Group Chief Executive Officer and President of Bangchak, and Mr. Prasit Boondoungprasert, Chief Executive Officer of CPF, at the helm. Also present were Mrs. Gloyta Nathalang, Senior Executive Vice President of Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications at Bangchak, and Ms. Kobboon Srichai, Head of Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations at CPF, adding their signatures and voices of support. The event was set against the backdrop of CP Tower on Silom Road, with other executives from Bangchak, CPF, and BSGF Company Limited in attendance.
Under this sustainable pact, Bangchak and CPF will collaboratively manage used cooking oil along with various fats derived from CPF’s food production processes. This includes fats from CPF’s wastewater treatment plants and affiliated companies, all of which will be transformed into SAF through BSGF, a subsidiary of Bangchak.
Mr. Chaiwat Kovavisarach expressed his gratitude and excitement for this initiative, stating, “Partnering with CPF, a titan in the food service industry of Thailand, to contribute to the ‘Fry to Fly’ project is about paving the path to the future with SAF. This effort not only catalyzes an economy leaning on the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) model but also exemplifies our commitment to ESG principles, the pillars of sustainability today. It’s a synergy of business acumen and environmental consciousness, setting a powerful precedent for positive change and laying bricks for a sustainable future.”
This partnership reaps rewards beyond just the business realm; it’s an endeavor replete with benefits touching numerous aspects across the board. It goes beyond merely giving waste from food production new value within a circular economy model, extending into realms of environmental and health sustainability. CPF’s famous restaurant chains, including Chester’s, Five Star, Iron Pan, and Hainanese Chicken Rice, are core participants in the spirited “No Repeat Frying” and “No Fry Left Behind” movements. These initiatives have been in motion since 2022, executed by BSGF in collaboration with the Department of Health under the Ministry of Public Health. They aim to mobilize socially responsible entrepreneurs in caring for the environment while enhancing the quality of life and health of the Thai populace. At present, over 800 public and private locations nationwide are contributing to this green cause by providing used cooking oil for SAF production. This transformation of oil into SAF champions a more sustainable aviation sector by slashing CO₂ emissions by up to a staggering 80% compared to traditional jet fuel—a monumental stride towards confronting the climate crisis.
CPF’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Prasit Boondoungprasert, voiced the company’s commitment, saying CPF is deeply invested in channeling innovation to develop food products that nourish both physically and mentally. Meanwhile, Bangchak is poised to convert used cooking oil from CPF’s processes into SAF, amplifying resource efficiency while curtailing environmental impacts. This aligns seamlessly with CPF’s Sustainovation vision, leveraging innovation to secure food supplies and promote sustainable consumption. The collaboration spotlights the handling of used cooking oil (UCO) and fats from CPF’s inner workings, potentially scaling up to encompass CPF’s international operations in times ahead.
“This partnership is a pivotal chapter in driving the sustainable business agendas for both corporations, a meaningful part of our more extensive climate action endeavors. Through meticulous waste management in production, we aim to significantly mitigate environmental and social impacts and craft meaningful value reflecting the holistic Circular Economy approach.”
The BSGF’s SAF production unit, currently under vigorous construction at Bangchak’s Phra Khanong Refinery, is progressing smoothly, showing over 70% completion at present. The facility is poised for operation by early Q2 of 2025, kicking off with an initial production capacity of a million liters per day, ushering in a new dawn for sustainable fuel production.
Isn’t this just amazing? Two major companies turning frying grease into jet fuel. It feels like sci-fi becoming reality. This could seriously dent the aviation industry’s carbon footprint!
Keep dreaming. Might work on paper but real-world impacts often get exaggerated. Plus, handling such waste at scale is a logistical nightmare. Remember, it’s still burning fuel at the end of the day.
You can’t deny the reduction in CO2 emissions though. Better than doing nothing or sticking with traditional jet fuels. We have to start somewhere!
Love the idea! Finally, something being done with all that used cooking oil from giant food chains like Chester’s.
True, it’s like getting double use out of oils. First you cook with them, then you fly with them. Efficient!
Exactly! It promotes a circular economy, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
From a technical standpoint, transforming used oils into aviation fuel isn’t as straightforward as they make it sound. Trust me, there are loads of technological hurdles.
True, but technological hurdles are meant to be overcome. It’s progress, not perfection they’re after.
Fair point, but every innovation starts with skepticism. Give it time and we’ll see if it flies, literally!
If every major airline and food chain adopted this, can you imagine the impact? This could be revolutionary not just for Thailand but globally.
Optimistic! But scaling it globally requires international cooperation, regulations, and alignment – not an easy task.
Turning fryer oil into something that’s not clogging drains sounds pretty genius. Hope this method spreads in the US.
Agreed, but the US aviation industry has different dynamics. Might take awhile before such initiatives catch on stateside.
There’s already interest, and the EU is ahead of the curve with renewable fuels. It’s only a matter of time before the US follows.
What about the environmental cost of collecting and processing this oil? Often these behind-the-scenes aspects get swept under the rug.
Good point. Sustainability should be holistic. Hope they’re accounting for emissions from trucks doing the pickups.
Part of the circular economy model is accounting for such things. We need to trust they’ll handle it responsibly.
This agreement might focus on SAF, but it reflects a larger trend towards renewable energy sectors working cross-industry to tackle sustainability concerns.
Bang on! Inter-industry synergy is what’s going to drive large-scale sustainable change.
Feels like every time we innovate, there’s a backlash from those stuck in the past. Renewable energies like SAF need all the support they can get!
I’m cautiously optimistic. Big companies touting sustainability often disappoint with half-measures. Let’s see the full picture before singing praises.
Gotta admit, the idea of flying on green fuel made from yesterday’s fries sounds pretty cool. Aviation might be fun again!
It’s fashionable now. Wonder how long this trend will last. Boy, it better stick!
Wow, just imagine the smell of French fries when the plane flies over you. Just kidding, but seriously this could open up a lot of possibilities.
Think about the chemistry and refining processes involved here; it’s not a straightforward conversion. This isn’t just frying oil to fuel, there’s a lot of refining involved.
I’d say initiatives like this one should be highlighted more by media. Often we only see negative news about climate change, nice to hear solutions being worked on.
Exactly what we need! Hopefully more people notice and we keep adding little positives to outweigh the negatives.
It’s telling that it even took till 2024 for a project like this to gain traction. We’ve been ignoring potential renewable sources for too long.