Bangkok--10 Nov--SCG
SCG hosts a national seminar titled "Innovation for Sustainability 2015: The Power of Collaboration", calling all relevant parties to build a network of cooperation to push for R&D and value-added product innovation to address the needs of customers. The company is confident that innovation will generate revenue in the long run and boost Thailand's competitive edge in a sustainable way.
General Prayuth Chan-ocha, the prime minister of Thailand, who presided over the opening ceremony of Innovation for Sustainability 2015: The Power of Collaboration, said that the government believes that innovation is a key driving force behind the country's strength and competitiveness and thus has made it a national agenda to promote research and development by entrusting the private sector to take the lead in creating new products and services that fulfill the needs of the consumers. As an incentive to promote the commercialization of innovation and promote Thailand's sustainable economic growth, companies are now eligible for a tax deduction of 300% of their actual research and development expenses, an increase from the previous rate of 200%.
Mr. Kan Trakulhoon, President of SCG, said that for the past decade, the group has been committed to R&D and has been striving toward research and commercialization of innovation. Also, SCG strives to instill in its employees a realization of the integral role innovation plays in SCG's business, both on the corporate level and the creation of innovative products and value-added services as an attempt to fulfil true consumer needs and enhance competitiveness. In 2014, the company's revenue from sales of HVA products amounted to 169,071 million baht, accounting for 35 percent of the total revenue from sales. The company allocated a budget of 2.71 billion Baht for R&D in 2014 and continues to promote the field by continually increasing the budget allocation in the years to come.
SCG believes that through collaboration in R&D will further elevate great innovations beneficial for consumers. With a network of organizations and institutions both internally and externally, SCG has collaborated with Chulalongkorn Univerisity, Mahidol University, the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), and international research centers such as the University of California, Berkeley in the United States of America, Norner Holdings AS in Norway.
Notable example of such innovations is the "SCG Eldercare Solution", an innovation that promotes safety in the home for the elderly, preventing accidents, promoting well-being and anticipating physical deteriorations. For instance, a hall way that's wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, a gradual slope or level floor, toilets and wash basins that are of a suitable height, shock absorption floors, and stepless floors. In addition, other innovations by SCG that enhance the comfort of consumers, include a polymer cast that becomes pliable when its temperature reaches 60 degrees Celsius, allowing for the cast to be molded into a shape required for specific treatments, shortening treatment time and preventing undesirable odors thanks to an anti-bacterial property in the mixture. Microflute food packaging safe for use in the microwave, allowing the user to be able to hold the packaging and consume the food contained inside instantly. The Peel & Clear Lid Film is a non-stick and non-tear food packaging film. It prevents steam and condensation from forming, allowing for greater visibility of the food inside and preserving the freshness and flavors of the food for a longer period of time.
The Innovation for Sustainability 2015: The Power of Collaboration seminar provides a stage on which collaborations are fostered, knowledge is shared, and strong networks are built. All of these will lead to the development of innovations. The seminar boasts the participation by top executives of some of the world's leaders in innovation. These include VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. – a high technology research center in Europe successful in using technology and innovation to address consumers' needs, and Boeing International – the world's leading aerospace company that has fostered collaboration with vendors to innovate state-of-the-art commercial airplanes, including the hugely successful Dreamliner.
SCG showcases innovations derived from collaborations, highlighting innovations for elders, the "SCG Eldercare Solution" at the "SCG Innovative Exposition 2015" from November 1-30, 2015 at SCG Experience (by the Ekamai – Ramintra Express Way) from Sunday to Thursdays 10.00 a.m. – 19.00 p.m. and on Friday to Sunday 10.00 a.m. – 20.00 p.m. For more information, please contact +66-2586-2222 or http://innoexpo.scg.co.th.