Globally, one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute. Since the 1970s, plastic production has surged more rapidly than any other material.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that by 2050, plastic production could reach 1,100 million tonnes.
Sadly, less than 10% of this plastic is recycled, with the remainder often ending up in the environment, particularly the oceans, which hold between 75 to 199 million tonnes of plastic waste.
This alarming situation has prompted a global call for action to manage plastic waste and reduce plastic consumption.
ThaiNamthip, a bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in Thailand for over 65 years, has committed to sustainability, inspired by The Coca-Cola Company’s global vision of creating a “World Without Waste”.
This initiative aims to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one The Coca-Cola Company sells and to use at least 50% recycled material in their packaging by the year 2030 . A significant milestone in this journey was the launch of 100% rPET (recycled PET) packaging in October 2023.
In 2023, ThaiNamthip introduced 1-litre bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar to raise consumers’ awareness and understanding of the new material.
“We specifically introduced our first 100% rPET packaging in modern trade channels to encourage consumers to understand more about sustainability and embrace sustainable packaging solutions,” said Ignace Corthouts, president of Thai-Namthip.
“Initially, we were concerned about potential negative perceptions of recycled materials in beverage packaging. However, after monitoring post-launch sentiment, we found great support from consumers, boosting our confidence to introduce more 100% rPET packaging in 2024,” he said.
Amid growing environmental concerns, eco-consciousness among industries and consumers has increased, accelerating ThaiNamthip’s sustainability roadmap. The company aims not only to achieve its targets but also to advance Thailand’s sustainability agenda.
Following its success in 2023 with its first 100% rPET packaging, ThaiNamthip introduced 300 ml bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, made from 100% recycled PET plastic (excluding caps and labels) in May 2024, with plans for further expansions.
Partnering with 7-Eleven and Mini Big C, the company targets the younger generation, who are more sustainability-minded. By introducing Coca-Cola bottles made from 100% rPET, Thai-Namthip expects to avoid using over 1,300 tonnes of new plastic in Thailand in 2024.
As part of the Coca-Cola system, ThaiNamthip plays a crucial role in spearheading plastic packaging circularity in Thailand. This success is due to partnerships with state-owned agencies, the business sector, recyclers, retailers, and importantly, consumers.
ThaiNamthip has joined forces with industry peers to establish the PRO-Thailand Network, aiming for effective post-consumer packaging collection and recycling management. It also collaborates with state agencies to push for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation in Thailand.
In 2023, through its own collection programme and PRO-Thailand Network, Thai-Namthip collected over 32,237 tonnes of PET bottles, surpassing the target of 23,856 tonnes.
Despite the success of introducing 100% rPET packaging, challenges remain. Significant investment was required to switch from virgin plastic to lesser known and lesser used recycled plastic.
“We hope more brands and manufacturers will join Thai-Namthip on the journey towards more sustainable packaging solutions. A collective industry effort will have a profound and widespread impact, from environmental perspectives to consumer awareness and cost-effectiveness,” Mr Corthouts added.
In 2009, ThaiNamthip started reducing PET resin use, balancing quality, functionality, and environmental impact under the concept of “light-weighting” to “right-weighting” for PET bottles.
This initiative has resulted in a 13.8% reduction in PET resin usage.
ThaiNamthip has implemented a well-defined ESG operating model to ensure that its manufacturing and logistics systems maximise growth for the business, community, and planet.
Water usage efficiency is a priority. Our production volume between Q1/2022 and Q1/2024 increased by more than 11%, while the volume of water used between the same period decreased by nearly 10%. We are able to deliver results like this thanks to a strong culture and best practices on water efficiency, expedited by investments in technology that enhance sustainability within our production processes. We have made strategic investments in water treatment systems to waste water recycling capabilities.
In addition to operational efficiency, ThaiNamthip aims to increase water security among local communities. The “RAKNAM” programme, launched in 2007, collaborates with The Coca-Cola Foundation Thailand and several partners to help communities access water for living and farming.
Recognising that reducing plastic waste alone won’t solve climate change, Thai-Namthip is also pursuing decarbonisation.
The company has increased energy efficiency by installing cutting-edge technology for energy-saving in the PET bottle filling and blowing process, achieving a double-digit percentage reduction in energy consumption compared to two years ago.
Currently, all five plants have installed solar energy systems.
For logistics, ThaiNamthip owns and operates a fleet of around 1,100 trucks, optimising fuel efficiency and employing telematics for performance monitoring, efficiency improvement, and safety enhancement. The company is also piloting EV trucks in its delivery fleet.
“We believe that it is possible to accelerate business growth while also doing right by our communities and planet. Our investments and efforts ensure sustainable business practices under our ‘triple bottom line’ to balance people, planet, and profit. As an industry leader, we hope more organisations will join us on our journey toward a more environmentally friendly world,” Mr Corthouts said.
ThaiNamthip, a bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in Thailand for 65 years, produces and commercialises products under some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Schweppes, Minute Maid, and Namthip. It operates in 63 provinces.
The company aims to refresh Thailand and make a difference by choosing to do the right thing for colleagues, customers, communities, and the planet. Its sustainability practices are deeply integrated into its operations, reflecting its commitment to water, climate, and environmentally friendly packaging.
