Mitr Phol Group Sustainability

The Valuable “Zero”

Mitr Phol Group aims to be an inspiration, inviting everyone to join together in leading our world towards achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainability is not the mission of just one person; we all need to collaborate and take small actions towards the grand goal of

creating a “zero carbon” society for our tomorrows.

As a leader in sustainable development within Thailand’s agro-industrial sector, Mitr Phol Group is committed to contributing to Thailand’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality and net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Our vision is to create a sustainable, carbon-free society by advancing the concept of “From Waste to Value Creation.” This approach focuses on the efficient use of renewable resources, adding value to products without harming the environment, and driving the growth of Thailand’s agro-industrial sector towards stability. Mitr Phol Group aims to become a carbon-neutral organization by 2030 and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Our comprehensive sustainability development plan spans the entire supply chain, from upstream to downstream, leveraging over 66 years of accumulated business knowledge and technological innovation to achieve true sustainability.

Renewable Energy

A leading renewable energy producer in Thailand, utilizing renewable energy in production Processes

The consumption of resources to meet human needs and economic development is a significant cause of climate change. Coupled with the continuous increase in the global population, this impacts the ability of resources to regenerate quickly enough to meet demand. Mitr Phol Group places great importance on waste management and the efficient recycling of agricultural residues from the sugarcane and sugar industry. By leveraging innovation and technology, Mitr Phol enhances and repurposes various waste materials to maximize their value. Bagasse and sugarcane leaves are upgraded through production processes to become fuel for biomass power generation, which is used within Mitr Phol Group’s factories. This reduces the reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The surplus electricity is sold to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the Provincial Electricity Authority to supply local communities. Additionally, molasses is further developed into high-quality ethanol for use as an environmentally friendly automotive fuel. This initiative not only reduces crude oil imports but also enhances Thailand’s economic opportunities in the energy sector sustainably.

Advancing the Sugarcane and Sugar Business Towards the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG Model)

With a business philosophy dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all stakeholders sustainably and driving the stable growth of Thailand’s agricultural industry, Mitr Phol Group is advancing towards the New S-Curve business. This new venture, building on sugarcane and sugar products, not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions throughout the production process but also enhances Thailand’s competitive edge. This aligns with the country’s comprehensive economic development policy focusing on the Bioeconomy, Circular Economy, and Green Economy. Key initiatives include:

  • Bioenergy: Biomass power and ethanol production from agricultural products.
  • Biochemical & Biomaterials: Production of biodegradable bioplastics to replace petroleum-based plastics, used in various food packaging such as food containers, cutlery, and ice cream cups.
  • Food & Feed Additive: Yeast extract products and sugar specialty sweeteners like Xylitol.
  • Cosmetics: Natural material-based cosmetics and skincare products.
  • Functional Ingredients: Prebiotics derived from natural sugarcane, such as Fructo-Oligosaccharide (FOS), used in health foods and beverages to boost the immune system, benefiting health and the environment.
  • Biopharma: Pharmaceutical and vaccine production.

Bio-Circular-Green Products​

Sustainable Modern Farming​

Sustainable Modern Agriculture with
Mitr Phol ModernFarm Practices

Mitr Phol ModernFarm represents a model of sustainable modern sugarcane farming developed by Mitr Phol Group to promote environmentally friendly agriculture. This initiative addresses labor shortages, enhances product quality, reduces costs, and improves the quality of life for sugarcane farming communities. By leveraging innovative technologies and knowledge, Mitr Phol fosters collaboration with stakeholders, including farmers, communities, and government agencies, to increase the purchase of fresh sugarcane. Key initiatives include a program to buy sugarcane leaves from farmers for use as supplementary fuel in biomass power generation, reducing the need for burning fields and mitigating climate change. This program also generates additional income for farmers. Furthermore, Mitr Phol has implemented a firebreak project to reduce the incidence of sugarcane field fires through collaborative efforts with local communities, government, and private sectors. This initiative aims to prevent and monitor fires, minimize damage, and improve air quality, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Implementing Advanced Technology for Efficient Environmental Management

Mit Phol Group has integrated innovative technology to enhance its wastewater management system through the high-efficiency Activated Sludge Process (AS). This advanced system allows Mit Phol Group to recycle treated water, using it as a sustainable resource in their production processes. This initiative not only increases raw water storage capacity and reduces the need to extract water from natural sources but also cuts costs and mitigates the risks associated with droughts. In addition to wastewater management, Mit Phol Group has implemented comprehensive waste management strategies within its factories. Employees are guided on waste segregation practices to increase recycling rates and reduce the volume of general waste sent to landfills. Currently, over 35% of the total waste generated in the factories is being reused, promoting the efficient use of resources. Mit Phol Group also conducts activities to raise employee awareness about waste issues. These activities include reducing unnecessary materials in daily life, reusing waste or scrap materials, proper waste segregation, minimizing the use of single-use plastics and packaging, and promoting zero food waste practices. For instance, leftover food from the cafeteria is recycled and fermented with molasses to create EM (Effective Microorganisms) starter cultures.

Advanced Technology for Environmental Protection

Reforestation​

Launches a Long-Term Reforestation Project to Enhance Carbon Dioxide Absorption.

Under the “Reviving Forests for Sustainable Nature” initiative, Mitr Phol Group has embarked on a decade-long reforestation and forest restoration project. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including farmers, organizations, the Royal Forest Department, and communities surrounding the factories. The project aims to maintain and restore forests, increase green areas for continuous carbon dioxide absorption, and mitigate climate change issues. The project is divided into 4 categories:

  • Restoration of degraded forest areas in reserved forests in collaboration with the Royal Forest Department.
  • Community forest restoration in partnership with the Mae Fah Luang Foundation and surrounding communities.
  • Tree planting within Mitr Phol Group’s areas, incorporating a mix of perennial and commercial trees.
  • Tree planting with farmers by providing them with trees to plant on the edges of their fields. Currently, the project has been initiated at Mitr Phol Dan Chang Park in Suphan Buri Province and Mitr Phu Wiang Park in Khon Kaen Province. This endeavor is supported by various sectors, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Royal Forest Department, provincial government agencies, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation, Mitr Phol Group’s sugarcane farmers, Mitr Phol Group employees, and local communities.

Carbon offsetting, Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

Mitr Phol Group has been awarded certification for renewable energy production and has accumulated carbon credit through its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This achievement is part of the “Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Program” (T-VER), developed and certified by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization) or TGO. The T-VER program aims to promote voluntary greenhouse gas management across all sectors in Thailand and encourages awareness and participation in mitigating climate change. Under this program, verified reductions or absorptions of greenhouse gases, known as “carbon credit,” can be sold in the carbon market to other organizations that are unable to reduce their emissions independently. These credits can then be used to offset the purchasing organization’s greenhouse gas emissions. The projects must voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Thailand as specified by TGO. Mitr Phol Group has been participating in this program since 2015 and currently has 9 voluntary greenhouse gas reduction projects in Thailand that have been certified by TGO.

Carbon offsetting, Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)