WHA Group Adheres to APEC Policy with ESG Management Strategy to Expand its Business in ASEAN

WHA Group booth at the APEC Summit demonstrates the company’s alignment with BCG goals through green and sustainable projects and investments

Bangkok, November 16, 2022 – As Thailand's leader in fully integrated Logistics, Industrial Estates, Utilities and Power, Digital Platform, and one of the APEC 2022 Communication Partners, WHA Group today reaffirmed its commitment to help promote sustainable growth through responsible business practices and create value for business, society and the environment through the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model.

Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairman and Group CEO of WHA Corporation PCL., welcomed the media to the company’s booth during the APEC 2022 Summit at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). She emphasized her support for BCG policies and ESG principles that are at the core of WHA Group’s strategy, based on sustainable development and growth. As a dedicated supporter of these principles and an active promoter of these policies, WHA Group features at its booth a variety of initiatives, projects and achievements that focus on Sustainability, Innovation and Transformation across its four business hubs: Logistics, Industrial Development, Utilities & Power, and Digital Platform.

Promoting Green Logistics Projects

As part of WHA Group’s environmental policy, WHA Logistics is actively implementing green technologies in its smart warehouses and distribution centers. By developing solar power and insulation solutions, as well as installing smart lighting and temperature control systems, WHA Logistics helps its customers lower their maintenance and operational costs and improve energy efficiency while reducing harmful effects on the environment. The development of green transportation, such as the transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs), also aims to generate a long-term positive impact on tomorrow’s logistics industry.

Going towards Zero Waste Goal

WHA Group is committed to sustainable business development by emphasizing the promotion of environmental preservation through its operational process under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model. To align with this, the Group has set the zero-waste goal for all WHA industrial estates, which is one of the main missions under its WHA Smart ECO Industrial Estates Project.

Protecting Natural Water Resources

Initiated in 2016, the “Clean Water for Planet” project facilitates wastewater treatment and management, as well as knowledge transfer to communities to create a better understanding and instill public awareness on the importance of natural resource conservation. The Group has carried out the construction and delivered wastewater treatment systems to various communities to improve water quality in canals by using an environment-friendly constructed wetland, inspired by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (King Rama 9). To date, WHA Group has delivered a wastewater treatment system to Pluak Daeng Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Rayong and has participated in a constructed wetland project for Nong Khla Subdistrict in Chanthaburi.

Reusing Water for a Sustainable Industrial Sector

WHA Group embraces innovations for its industrial water production to deliver high-quality water to WHA industrial estate customers. With the goal to double the production capacity from 30,200 m3 to 60,400 m3 per day, the Reclamation Water Projects aim to save 6.9 million m3 of water from natural resources and lessen water discharge into public waterways to ensure long-term water security. This also helps secure resources for raw water that can be converted into demineralized water or high-quality water for WHA Group’s industrial estate customers.

Developing Clean and Renewable Energy

Clean energy, including solar energy, is another priority of WHA Group with the development of solar rooftops and waste-to-energy projects such as the Chonburi Clean Energy power plant. This year, WHA Group expects to reach 150 MW for signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) from solar rooftops and is targeting 300 MW by the end of 2023. After it achieved carbon neutrality in 2021, WHA Group has committed to reaching Net Zero CO2 emissions by the year 2050. Co-developed with PTT and Sertis, the Renewable Energy Exchange ("RENEX") platform, a Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading system using Blockchain technology, will help reduce CO2 emissions by over 4.3 million tons during the project’s life cycle.

Throughout the years, WHA Group has also been a leader in community projects involving social welfare, education, youth and sports, health, talent development and community empowerment.

These initiatives underline the SET Awards 2022 jury’s decision to grant WHA Group and two of its subsidiaries with three coveted awards, as follows:

• WHA Corporation Public Company Limited: Commended Sustainability Awards in the Sustainability Excellence category, for utilizing smart technologies and innovations to enable economic and financial growth while protecting the environment and reducing the effects of climate change.
• WHA Utilities and Power Public Company Limited (WHAUP): Best Innovative Company Awards in the Business Excellence category for its Peer-to-Peer energy trading system using blockchain technology in industrial estates. Co-developed with PTT and Sertis, the Renewable Energy Exchange ("RENEX") platform will help reduce CO2 emissions by over 4.3 million tons during the project’s life cycle.
• WHA Industrial Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust (WHAIR): Outstanding REIT Performance Awards in the Business Excellence category for its remarkable performance and sustainable growth despite the economic and industrial conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with good corporate governance.

WHA Group was also ranked by the Stock Exchange of Thailand, for the 3rd consecutive year, as a 2022 sustainable stock or THSI (Thailand Sustainability Investment) in the real estate and construction sector.

“It is a high priority for WHA Group to be present at the APEC 2022 Summit. By highlighting our contributions, we show our solid support for the government’s commitment to sustainable growth through the BCG economic model and ESG principles,” said Ms. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairman and Group CEO of WHA Corporation PCL. “In fact, we have already been applying these policies and aligning our goals to be more sustainable and environment-centric across our four business hubs, using innovations and smart technologies to preserve natural resources, develop clean renewable energies and reach Net Zero CO2 emissions by the year 2050. In addition, we will continue to enhance the well-being of our employees and surrounding communities while adhering to strict ethical behavior for the benefit of all,” she declared.

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