PETROMAT Chula Joins Press Conference on “Eco-Design Sparking Innovation Award”, Calling for Sustainable Packaging Design Submissions 

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Thailand, in collaboration with the Pollution Control Department and the Center of Excellence in Petrochemical and Materials Technology (PETROMAT), Chulalongkorn University, hosted a press conference for the “Eco-Design Sparking Innovation Award.” This initiative aims to support sustainable packaging design policies in Thailand and introduce the Eco-Design Sparking Innovation Award competition. The event, titled “Eco-Design for Sustainable Packaging: A Call for Innovation in Design for Recycling and Carbon Footprint Solutions,” took place on March 4, 2025, at Eden Zone 3, Central World Shopping Mall.

Promoting Sustainable Packaging Design and Marine Litter Prevention   

The project “Marine Litter Prevention through Reduction, Sustainable Design, and Recycling of Plastic Packaging: MA-RE-DESIGN” encourages SMEs, startups, students, and the general public to integrate Design for Recycling (D4R) principles and carbon footprint reduction into packaging design. It also aims to raise awareness about eco-friendly packaging concepts. Participants stand a chance to win an exclusive trip to the Green Life and Sustainable Taiwan Expo 2025 in Taiwan. 

Key Remarks from Experts   

Johannes Kerner, Economic Cooperation Advisor at the Embassy of Germany in Thailand, emphasized, “This event marks a significant step toward promoting sustainable packaging solutions through eco-design. Germany is proud to support Thailand’s transition to a circular economy. This competition will spark innovations that contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly future.” 

Taweechai Jiaranaikhajorn, Director of Waste Reduction and Utilization at the Pollution Control Department, stated: “Sustainable packaging design plays a crucial role in global environmental negotiations. It aligns with discussions at the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5) in coming up with measures that are legally binding internationally regarding plastic pollution and the marine environment in Busan, South Korea, in late November 2024. Thailand’s Phase 2 Action Plan for Plastic Waste Management (2023-2027) highlights the importance of eco-friendly product design, minimizing excessive materials, eliminating hazardous additives that hinder recycling, and ensuring packaging is reusable and recyclable.” 

Varoon Varanyanond, Industry Partnership Consultant at PETROMAT Chulalongkorn University and Advisor for the MA-RE-DESIGN Project, elaborated on the competition’s key principles: “Design for Recycling (D4R) ensures that packaging is not just theoretically recyclable but also practically collectible, sortable, and truly recyclable. Meanwhile, the Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) evaluates environmental impact throughout a product’s life cycle—from material selection and production to transportation, usage, and end-of-life disposal. Integrating D4R and CFP principles allows companies to design packaging that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and enhances recyclability.” 

Álvaro Zurita, Director of the MA-RE-DESIGN Project at GIZ, highlighted: “The MA-RE-DESIGN competition emphasizes the importance of eco-design in sustainable packaging. By focusing on waste reduction at the source, this initiative supports Thailand’s Phase 2 Plastic Waste Management Action Plan (2023-2027), aiming for 100% recycling by 2030.”

How to Participate   

The Eco-Design Sparking Innovation Award is open for submissions until April 15, 2025. Winners will be announced on June 1, 2025. 

For more details, visit: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecodesigninnovationaward2025 
Email: giz.innovationaward2025@gmail.com 

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