Meranti Green Steel (MGS), a Singapore-headquartered company pioneering low-carbon steel production through a new value chain that separates ironmaking and steel production, hosted a seminar at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok to explore how collaboration between government, industry, and academia can drive Thailand's green steel transition. MGS is investing in Thailand's first green steel plant in Rayong, designed from the ground up to combine modern technology, renewable energy, and international partnership to strengthen Thailand's industrial base and position the country as a regional leader in sustainable manufacturing.
Under the theme "Decarbonising Thailand's Steel Industry," the seminar brought together representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO), the Thai National Shippers' Council, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand (EECO), Danieli Group, the Consulting Engineers Association of Thailand (CEAT), and IRPC Public Company Limited, among others.
Opening the seminar, Dr Sebastian Langendorf, CEO of Meranti Green Steel, welcomed dignitaries including His Excellency Arsa Sarasin, former Foreign Minister of Thailand, Dr. Somkiat Tangkitvanich, President of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), and Mr. Abdul Rahman, CEO of Integrated Gas Company (IGC), and delegates from InvestOman, highlighting Thailand's skilled workforce, strong infrastructure, and strategic location as key reasons for Meranti's investment.
Reflecting on the event, Dr Langendorf said:
"Thailand has the talent, the infrastructure and the ambition to lead the green steel revolution. Our Rayong plant will add high-grade flat steel that is not widely made here today, working alongside existing Thai steelmakers. We will bring green iron, modern processes and access to clean power so the whole sector can move faster. If we act together, we can build a green steel ecosystem that supports good jobs, stronger communities and a more competitive economy."
Dr Somkiat Tangkitvanich, President of the Thailand Development Research Institute, delivered honorary remarks emphasizing that developing a low-carbon economy is essential to maintaining Thailand's long-term competitiveness. Followed by technical presentations from Danieli Group, TDRI, and Meranti Green Steel, the seminar showcased how collaboration can make Thailand's green transformation a reality. Danieli shared advances in next-generation electric arc furnaces and carbon-tracking systems, while TDRI highlighted the need to expand access to clean electricity through third-party access and green power purchase agreements. Meranti Green Steel presented its partnership modelproducing certified green HBI in Oman and completing steel production in Thailandto support the country's Green Steel Strategy. The approach complements, rather than competes with, local producers by enabling higher-grade steel production, easing scrap pressure, and creating shared infrastructure and skilled jobs across the value chain.
A panel discussion, "Green Steel in Thailand: Driving Economic Growth, Sustainability, and International Competitiveness," moderated by Ambassador Nongnuth Phetcharatana, Senior Advisor at Meranti Green Steel, brought together representatives from TGO, CEAT, the National Shippers' Council, and Meranti Green Steel. Panellists agreed that green steel is not only an environmental goal but a foundation for Thailand's economic resilience. They highlighted that decarbonizing heavy industry is key to achieving national emission targets, meeting international standards such as the EU's CBAM, and securing long-term competitiveness.
Speakers emphasised that collaboration between the government, industry, and international partners is vital to unlock Thailand's green transition. Growing demand for certified low-carbon steel in construction and exports presents a major opportunity to strengthen domestic production. Meranti Green Steel's investment was recognized as a partnership model that shares technology, clean inputs, and expertise to raise the capability of the entire Thai steel sector, positioning the country as a regional hub for certified green steel.
Concluding remarks were delivered by Dr Cholachit Vorawangso Virakul, Assistant Secretary General of the EECO, who praised Meranti Green Steel's clarity of purpose and called for continued cooperation to place green steel at the centre of Thailand's future economy.
Dr Cholachit said:
"Green steel sits at the heart of that promise. Why? Because steel is everywhere, hidden in the bridges we cross, the homes we build, the hospitals we trust, the wind turbines that will power our future. If we change steel, we change the story of how we grow."
The event closed with a networking session reaffirming a shared commitment to decarbonise Thailand's steel value chain and position the country at the forefront of Asia's green industrial transformation.
About Meranti Green SteelMeranti Green Steel (MGS), headquartered in Singapore, is decarbonising the steel industry through a value chain model that decouples iron making from steelmaking. By producing certified green Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) in Oman and completing green steel production in Thailand, MGS delivers high quality steel products with low carbon intensity, while maintaining cost competitiveness.
For its HBI production, MGS is initially using a natural gas-green hydrogen mix and will transition to full green hydrogen usage over time. This transition model allows MGS to deliver products that are both commercially viable and environmentally sustainable, combining cost efficiency with optimized low-carbon outcomes and full transparency. Supplying HBI from Oman not only to its Thailand steel plant but also to external offtakers, MGS is establishing itself as a strategic partner to European and global steelmakers.
Led by experienced steel industry experts, MGS combines decades of operational knowledge together with a clear vision for innovation and green steel leadership. Through partnerships with leading global players across the iron- and steel supply chain including raw materials, technology, processes, and logistics, MGS is building a robust business model focused on safe delivery and effective operations. We are not only producing HBI and green steel, we are helping to create a world where development and nature can be in balance.