WHA Group Transforms Green Industrial Cities Towards Sustainability with Technology and Caring for the Environment

5 June 2024, WHA Group celebrated on World Environment Day 2024 by unveiling a model  green industrial city encompassing warehouse and distribution center management with cutting-edge technology, Thailand’s first Green Logistics service provider to offer full commercial electric vehicle fleet across its entire ecosystem, the development of Smart Eco Industrial Estates, the management of fully integrated public utility systems and facilities along with preserving the environment as well as energy and resource optimization according to the principles of circular economy, all of which contributing to the quality of life for everyone and sustainability in the community, the society, and the country at large. Highlights included innovations, technologies, and infrastructure systems that are at the core of all WHA industrial estates as well as WHA Mega Logistics Center Building B, WHA Group’s first warehouse in Thailand to receive LEED Gold v4.1 BD+C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers certification.

Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Group CEO of WHA Corporation PCL. said that “Throughout the recent years, WHA Group has employed our best effort to prove that industrial estate can create a connection between industries and local communities as a network in which different components support each other across social, economic and environmental aspects, fostering sustainability. We set out guidelines for continuous development towards becoming a green industry, starting from clear policies, goals, plans, and systematic environmental management practices, with monitoring and evaluation processes in place. Inside our organization, we create a shared awareness of environmental concern as part of our culture, as well as scaling it up to cover the entire industrial supply chain by encouraging our business partners and customers to improve and enhance their operational processes to be in line with green industry principles. Today, we have achieved significant progress in building eco-industrial estate across various aspects, especially in the areas of renewable energy, and sustainable and efficient water management, which significantly contribute to optimal resource utilization in WHA Group’s ecosystem in line with the principles of circular economy.”

WHA Mega Logistics Center Building B, WHA Group’s first warehouse in Thailand to receive LEED Gold v4.1 BD+C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers certification.

WHA Mega Logistics Center Building B is a warehouse and distribution center located on Theparak Road Km.21 in Samut Prakarn province.  Designed and developed based on green-building principles focus on strictly controlling  energy and water consumption, carbon emissions reduction ,and implementing effective waste management practices.  , the warehouse has been proven to achieve the requirements of LEED Gold rating with improved environmental impacts and carbon footprint as well as maximized indoor environmental quality for optimal occupants well-being. LEED is a green building rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council. The achievement also helps lead the shift to sustainability in the warehouse sector of Thailand.

Principles of sustainable utility management in WHA industrial estates and surrounding communities

WHA industrial estates place great importance to efficient and responsible water use, with proper water management, provision of reserve water sources and treatment of wastewater before releasing it outside the industrial areas.  As a comprehensive raw water and industrial water supplier and wastewater treatment service provider, WHA sets out water management guidelines to meet the needs of industrial manufacturers in the industrial estates as well as to promote water resource management for neighboring communities. These include managing water resources appropriately and efficiently in water source procurement, industrial water production, wastewater treatment and reuse, water loss reduction in water production and distribution systems, as well as implementation of various water management innovations and technology, including ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis, activated sludge wastewater treatment system using sedimentation tank, constructed wetland and aeration pond. The company also initiated the Clean Water for Planet project to promote and develop wastewater treatment systems for surrounding communities and people living outside its industrial estates.

Since the Industrial Wastewater Reuse Project initiated in 2017 in WHA Eastern Industrial Estate in Map Ta Phut, WHA's water management system has a combined wastewater treatment capacity of more than 36,200 cubic meters per day, with a target to reach 83,000 cubic meters per day in 2028. The company also sets a goal to reduce water use from natural water sources by approximately 21 million cubic meters per year in 2027.

In addition, WHA has developed Demineralized Reclaimed Water Project to serve as an alternative industrial water supplier for customers. The project improves the quality of water from wastewater treatment system using environmentally friendly processes, and turn it into mineral-free industrial water to supply to industrial manufacturers in many sectors.

For electricity, WHA Group focuses on the development of renewable energy sources to avoid greenhouse gas emissions which cause global warming, reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and cater to different customer needs, WHA Group focuses on developing renewable energy sources such as floating solar on raw water storage ponds inside the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate in Rayong with a total power capacity of 8 megawatts; solar car park, which is the largest one in Thailand at Ford Motor Company (Thailand)’s manufacturing plant, with a total power capacity of 7.7 megawatts; and solar rooftop at Prinx Chengshan Tire (Thailand), with a total power capacity of 24.24 megawatts. In addition, the company planned to develop more and more renewable energy projects in the future, both inside and outside its industrial estates.

WHA Group is committed to creating the betterment of the society, the community and the country at large. The Pan Gan project, for instance, was initiated to support local communities surrounding WHA industrial estates to earn additional income from selling locally made products through WHA’s online store platform. This helps preserve local community's capacities and skills in handicrafts, home economics, local foods while bringing these local goods to reach a wider audience.

“At WHA, we believe that doing a good business is to strike the right balance between the economy, the society and the environment. As we strive towards achieving our goal of being “The Ultimate Solution for Sustainable Growth” through the mission of “WHA: We Shape the Future”, we are keen to join force with all stakeholders in cross-sector partnerships to bring a better future for all. Along the way, we have seen that one success after another comes as a result of collaborative efforts from everyone who are ready to take part in driving the sustainability agenda to reach its goals,” said Jareeporn.

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