Following months of stakeholder consultations and technical analysis, UNIDO and Roland Berger in consultation with multiple Thai stakeholders developed a national industry decarbonization #actionplan.  

The plan outlines 5 strategic regulatory and institutional pathways to take the steps needed to decarbonize the country’s cement and concrete sector.  

The plan was unveiled at the National Policy Dialogue on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Thailand’s Cement & Concrete Sector Dialogue organized under the Environment and Climate Change Canada funded Thailand cement decarbonization project. 

🤝 Many thanks to DCCE, DIW, CGD, and PCD alongside private sector including TCMA for contributing to the dialogue with their expertise and insights. 

Innovative circular economy and decarbonization solutions are urgently needed to shift away from traditional models of production and consumption and unlock new economic opportunities while safeguarding the planet.

Against this backdrop, government representatives, industry leaders, international organizations, and experts gathered in Bangkok for a high-level workshop on “Scaling Circular Solutions: From Pilots to Policy in Asia,” co-organized by the Foundation for Industrial and Technical Research (SINTEF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The workshop builds on the outcomes of two flagship initiatives: the Norwegian-funded “Ocean Plastic Turned into an Opportunity in Circular Economy” (OPTOCE) project, and the Environment and Climate Change Canada-funded “Decarbonization of the Cement and Concrete Sectors in Thailand” project, implemented by UNIDO.

Participants shared key lessons learned from the OPTOCE pilot project, which demonstrated the use of cement kilns as safe and effective facilities for co-processing non-recyclable plastics, contributing to reducing both plastic pollution and fossil fuel use.

The outcomes of the Decarbonization of the Cement and Concrete Sectors in Thailand project were also presented, showcasing how innovation, policy, and finance can work together to drive sustainable industrial transformation. The project is analyzing the potential to decarbonize the cement sector through enhanced circularity, co-processing and improved waste management systems in Thailand.

The workshop stressed the pivotal next steps: scaling up effective pilot solutions into national strategies which reduce plastic waste and lower carbon emissions, including practical policy tools such as extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks and emerging technologies that can accelerate circularity and decarbonization.

Participants explored investment-ready models for scaling waste-to-resource initiatives, demonstrating how circular approaches can be both environmentally impactful and economically viable. Recognizing the cross-border nature of these challenges, the workshop emphasized the need for stronger regional collaboration and deeper public–private partnerships to scale proven solutions.

Astrid Emilie Helle, Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand: “Norway gives high priority to support practical, science-based solutions to the plastic and climate crises. The OPTOCE project has shown that with the right partnerships, waste can be turned into an opportunity in reducing pollution, cutting emissions and creating value. We look forward to seeing these results scaled across Asia.”

“Through OPTOCE, we have shown that co-processing non-recyclable plastics in cement kilns is technically feasible, environmentally safe, and delivers large-scale impact quickly. The next step is to move from pilots to policy, embedding this solution in national strategies so Asia can lead on tackling plastic pollution and decarbonizing industry,” said Dr. Kåre Helge Karstensen, Chief Scientist and Programme Manager of OPTOCE.

Bruno Fux, Chief Executive Officer of INSEE Ecocycle: “For years, we have been recovering waste from dumpsites in Thailand to produce Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF). We found that low-value plastics make up a large portion of this waste, and they often reach waterways and the ocean. By converting them into energy for cement production, we replace fossil fuels, reduce landfill use, and help protect the marine environment. We continue to actively participate in the OPTOCE project, collaborating with all stakeholders, and remain committed to sustainability.”

Ping Kitnikone, Ambassador of Canada to Thailand: “Canada remains committed to fighting climate change and building a sustainable path forward.  We know that real progress in reducing emissions, building resilience, and shaping a green future require global solutions.   We need strong partnerships—especially in the Indo-Pacific. By embracing circularity in the long-term, we can adapt our systems to minimize environmental harm and promote sustainability.”

The workshop is part of a series of regional engagements leading up to a similar event in Hanoi in October with the aim of informing national policies and international dialogue, including the ongoing global plastics treaty negotiations. It is also part of UNIDO decarbonization efforts in the region and globally to facilitate technology transfer and investment, build capacity and raise awareness on industrial decarbonization.

Rasha Abdrabu of UNIDO: “We need to accelerate our efforts. We need to work together to build alignment and momentum towards accelerated and scaled up financing for industrial decarbonization.”

Highlight from event: 

🔹 Panel Discussion with representatives from UNIDO, NIA, Thai Cement Manufacturing Association, Thai Concrete Association – valuable insights from manufacturers on industry demands and future directions. Understanding the entire value chain of cement production can help innovators identify gaps of opportunities for decarbonization. What makes innovation stand out?

🔹 Success Stories – Lessons learned from NIA alumni who have successfully completed past accelerator programmes and have scaled innovations in sustainability.

🔹 Innovation Platform & Timeline – First look at the programme’s roadmap designed to deliver impactful solutions through industry collaboration and technological innovation.

“At the core of UNIDO’s mandate lies the unwavering commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women. UNIDO acknowledges the profound impact that gender equality has on industries,” said Rasha Abdrabu, UNIDO Project Manager and Industrial Development Expert, during the workshop’s opening remarks. She continued, “As representatives from the industry, your insights are invaluable and can significantly influence future policies within your organizations. By addressing gender inequalities and harnessing women’s full potential as leaders and economic agents of change, we can transform economies and drive inclusive growth.”
The training workshop was co-delivered with the UNIDO Division of Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women. It began with an evaluation of the participants’ knowledge on gender mainstreaming and vulnerable groups, followed by a preliminary gender analysis of the cement and concrete sectors, which revealed unequal access to training as one barrier for women in the sector.

Participants learned about global best practices for integrating gender perspectives into industrial projects through successful case studies from UNIDO projects in Morocco and the Philippines, highlighting the importance of a strategic approach to integrating gender perspectives into decarbonization projects.
“For gender equality to become a reality, all involved must gain gender knowledge. To succeed, gender equality must become everybody’s business,” said Thuy Thu LE, Gender Coordinator, UNIDO.

The participants were divided into groups to identify challenges related to gender equality and vulnerable concerns within the project’s components while exploring barriers to achieving gender-responsive outcomes. They worked on proposing solutions to integrate gender considerations into the project to ensure inclusive and equitable participation. Additionally, they recommended gender-responsive actions for the project’s gender mainstreaming plan, aiming to align with gender equality commitments, address vulnerable concerns, and foster stakeholder collaboration.

“The discussions among stakeholders during the focus groups highlighted recognition of gender disparities in Thailand’s cement and concrete sectors. Ensuring gender mainstreaming and gender equality is essential to drive innovation, resilience, and long-term success in these efforts,” said Ruttiya Bhula-or, project national gender and stakeholder engagement expert from the College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University.
“This workshop marks the beginning of continuous engagement and discussions on gender mainstreaming. The main goal is to foster inclusive engagement not only within this project but also as a foundation for future initiatives,” underlined Ms Abdrabu in her closing remarks.

The fruitful discussions by the task team members: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), Pollution Control Department (PCD), The Comptroller General’s Department (CGD), Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), Thai Contractors Association under H.M. The King’s Patronage and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), identified next steps, which will include the following activities:
• Finalization of the decarbonization policy framework;
• Development of the innovation acceleration platform supporting start-ups working on low carbon cement;
• Carbon Capture technologies and feasibility studies;
• Waste circularity and co-processing activities;
• Calcined Clay (LC3) assessment;
• Development of Guidance for Green Public Procurement Mandatory Requirements and Reporting for Purchasing Low-Carbon Cement in Thailand
• Capacity building activities;
The extensive engagement of the Thai partners will ensure that this initiative will accelerate the decarbonization of the cement and concrete sector in Thailand and extend its impact to other Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia. It’s a positive step forward on our shared journey towards industrial decarbonization.

Cement and concrete production collectively contribute roughly 7-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, driven not only by energy-related emissions from the fossil fuels burned to sustain the high-temperature heat required, but also by process emissions from the chemical transformation of limestone into clinker. The decarbonization of cement and concrete industries goes beyond adopting new technologies; it requires a holistic transformation of entire production processes.

On 2 December in Bangkok, more than 100 participants representing the government, leading industrial companies, academics, and NGOs as well as international partners gathered for a UNIDO-led workshop to learn about the project’s objectives and planned activities. The workshop highlighted international best practices on policies and practices in Canada, UK, Germany and China, to promote the decarbonization of the sector and their relevance to Thailand and scope for the cooperation and exchange of knowledge with neighboring countries.

At the national launch event, H.E. Ms. Ping Kitnikone, Ambassador of Canada to Thailand said “Tackling the emissions from heavy industries like cement is critical to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. These industries are important in terms of fulfilling the demands of green economic growth but also for the role they play in delivering low-carbon, climate resilient infrastructure. This bilateral climate finance project strengthens climate governance by prioritizing initiatives that promote effective collaboration among public and private stakeholders, leading to collective and transformative decarbonization efforts. More importantly, the partnership between Canada and Thailand focuses on strengthening climate governance to build enabling conditions. This includes policy and regulatory frameworks, and standards and practices for low-carbon cement production processes, materials and products. With the enabling environment in place, Thailand can achieve the replication and scale of solutions necessary to meet its emission reduction targets”.

The workshop highlighted global best practices including Canada holistic Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050, outlining the policy recommendations required for this transition including Mandatory and minimum requirements for climate-smart codes and performance-based standards for low carbon products, carbon pricing, procurement polices and Funding programs & fiscal support. Another example given of the of international practices is the UK’s cement and concrete industry decarbonization roadmap which highlights the main requests to the government such as new domestic measures to eliminate the threat of carbon leakage, longer term visibility of funding and support, implementation of new carbon accounting measures and the use of the its procurement powers.

To ensure alignment and coordinated efforts to drive the project’s goals, UNIDO works closely with the project implementation team including representatives from key government bodies; Department of Industrial Works; Department of Climate Change and Environment; Comptroller General’s Department; Pollution Control Department; Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. Dr. Chana Poomee, Chairman of the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) said “TCMA expresses its gratitude to the Government of Canada for recognizing the ongoing efforts of Thailand’s cement industry and supporting this groundbreaking project. TCMA, in collaboration with UNIDO and with the support of the Thai government, has already commenced activities for the project, emphasizing the urgency of collaborative action from stakeholders both within Thailand and internationally”.

“The development of our societies can continue without hurting the climate. UNIDO together with its partners are leading the way in the transformation to net zero societies. UNIDO welcomes the commitment of the Government of Thailand in its net zero journey and the leading role of the Government of Canada in supporting the global green transition of the cement industry” said UNIDO’s Chief of Energy System and Industrial decarbonization Unit, Riccardo Savigliano.