SCG Launches Open Innovation Center to Collaborate on R&D for Business Growth Worldwide
SCG reinforces its vision of being a sustainable innovation leader in the ASEAN region by launching the "Open Innovation Center," a hub for collaboration in research and development of innovations with government, private sectors, and educational institutions worldwide. The aim is to create a network that fosters faster and better innovation through resource readiness and dedication to translating research into tangible commercial applications to meet consumer needs and enhance the competitiveness of Thai industries in ASEAN.
The launch of SCG's "Open Innovation Center" represents a significant opportunity for researchers, whether they have previously collaborated with SCG or have new ideas for creating innovations for the future, as well as those seeking innovations to develop or solve business problems. SCG offers resources, operational tools, and systematic working methods that are efficient and collaborative with experts, enabling faster R&D compared to traditional methods. The center is open to all sectors to join as Solution Partners in developing technology, production processes, and products. The event was honored by the presence of Dr. Suwit Maesincee, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, and Dr. Arachika Siboonyuang, Minister of Science and Technology, along with Mr. Rungroj Rangsiyopas, President and CEO of SCG, and Mr. Cholanat Yanaranop, Executive Vice President of SCG and Chair of the SCG Innovation Committee.
Dr. Suwit Maesincee stated at the opening ceremony of SCG's Open Innovation Center, "To enhance the country's competitive capabilities and promote collaboration among all sectors amid the rapid changes in the world, we have developed the 'Thailand 4.0' model to help the Thai economy transition from a middle-income to a high-income country, shifting from an efficiency-driven economy to an innovation-driven economy, and from a knowledge-based society to a society focused on improving quality of life. The Open Innovation Center of SCG can be a significant driving force from the private sector to help achieve these national goals."
Dr. Arachika Siboonyuang remarked, "Research and development in science and technology is a crucial process for pushing Thailand into an innovation-driven economic structure as per the Thailand 4.0 policy. Therefore, the launch of SCG's Open Innovation Center is highly commendable as it will benefit all sectors in collaboratively advancing scientific and technological knowledge to create innovations and elevate the Thai industrial sector to be competitive in the ASEAN region."
Mr. Cholanat Yanaranop, Executive Vice President of SCG and Chair of the SCG Innovation Committee, stated that with over 1,800 leading R&D personnel at SCG and an annual budget of over 6 billion baht dedicated to R&D, combined with extensive experience and understanding of customer needs from long-term operations in both the Thai and ASEAN markets, SCG's Open Innovation Center has the potential to strengthen innovation development for all three business groups of SCG and interested partners, enabling faster creation of high-value-added (HVA) products and services that meet the diverse needs of consumers today.
"R&D is a crucial component in enhancing SCG's competitive capabilities. In 2016, SCG's sales from the HVA segment reached 160 billion baht, accounting for 38% of total sales revenue. Today, we continue to move forward relentlessly by leveraging our innovation expertise to develop the Open Innovation Center, aiming to serve as a central hub for open collaboration in R&D between SCG and government, private, and educational sectors from Thailand and abroad, to exchange the potential of each sector in creating innovations that enhance the quality of life for consumers," Mr. Cholanat added.
Additionally, SCG's Open Innovation Center provides a systematic R&D support space for startups worldwide that own intellectual property in the fields of science and technology to collaboratively develop high-potential innovations with SCG in the areas of Materials, Clean Tech, and Sensor & IoT, paving the way for future business collaborations.
"SCG aims for the Open Innovation Center to benefit all sectors by pushing research towards tangible commercial applications and creating sustainability for businesses through efficient resource utilization, providing educational sectors with opportunities to experiment with various innovations directly with consumers at lower costs, and strengthening the Thai economy to elevate Thai industries to the ASEAN level, aligning with the government's Thailand 4.0 policy," Mr. Cholanat concluded.
Source: SCG
