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Kao Thailand, SCGP, SCGC and Dow Unveil Magiclean Refill Packaging Breakthrough, Driving Mono-Material Innovation for Recyclability
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BANGKOK – 22 June 2026 – Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd., SCG Packaging Public Company Limited (SCGP), SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC) and Dow Thailand Group have jointly announced the successful development of a new mono-material refill bag designed for recyclability for the Magiclean Floor Cleaner Natural Essence 700ml. This innovation transforms traditional multi-layer flexible packaging made from multiple materials into a single-material design, enabling 100% of the packaging to be recyclable¹ and compatible with polyethylene mechanical recycling streams in Thailand where collection and recycling facilities exist.
This new design improves post-use management and is expected to increase recycling potential by approximately 18 tons per year.² It represents a significant advancement in sustainable packaging innovation and reinforces the shared commitment of all four organizations to support Thailand’s transition toward a circular economy. The product has been commercially available since June 2026.
The development reflects Kao’s strong sustainability commitment, combined with SCGP’s expertise in packaging structure design and film development, SCGC’s integrated solutions, and Dow’s expertise in high-performance materials. The collaboration successfully converts multi-material flexible packaging into mono-material structures, enabling efficient recycling through mechanical recycling processes while maintaining product performance and packaging quality.
For Kao, a leading manufacturer of consumer products in Thailand, the introduction of this packaging aligns with its long-term environmental goals, including designing all packaging for recyclability by 2027 and achieving net zero plastic packaging waste by 2040. Integrating mono-material packaging into the Magiclean brand underscores Kao’s commitment to responsible innovation across its product portfolio.
“Kao continues to develop environmentally friendly packaging in line with our ESG strategies or Kirei Lifestyle Plan and the 4Rs principles — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace. Magiclean floor cleaner is one of our successful products in the market, and we aim to build on that success by making it easier for environmentally conscious consumers to participate — without changing their daily behavior. Simply choosing Kao products can contribute to greater environmental care. This development is therefore not only about packaging improvement but also about creating a positive impact for consumers and the environment,” said Akira Nishimaki, President of Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
“SCGP leverages its expertise in packaging structure design and film development — ranging from film formulation research and development, and production process optimization, to real-use testing — while integrating advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance production efficiency. This enables us to successfully transition flexible packaging from multi-material to mono-material structures, which is a highly challenging task given the specific product requirements. Our team worked extensively to ensure that the new packaging maintains strength, durability, and compatibility with customers’ existing forming processes. This collaboration demonstrates a strong commitment among partners to elevate packaging performance and sustainability simultaneously, and it can be extended to other consumer product categories to scale packaging designed for recyclability and support the circular economy,” said Ekaraj Niroj, Chief Customer Officer of SCGP
“SCGC focuses on developing polymer innovations and sustainability solutions to deliver high-performance resins that meet customer needs comprehensively, alongside advancing recycling technologies to maximize the value of post-consumer plastics in line with circular economy principles. For this project, the key challenge was to use a single material across all packaging layers. In the printing layer, SCGC developed SCGC™ HDPE H619F, a high-density polyethylene resin that provides strength, shape retention, and excellent printability with vibrant and durable colors. This enables the packaging to be 100% recyclable¹, supporting the return of used plastics into the system and aligning with sustainability strategies, as well as Thailand’s goals toward a circular economy and carbon neutrality,” said Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud, Chief Executive Officer and President of SCGC
“INNATE™ TF80 and AFFINITY™ high-performance polyethylene resins from Dow, used in the sealant layer, help enhance packaging strength, durability, and product protection throughout its shelf life, while enabling a design that considers end-of-life management. This achievement demonstrates the role of materials science in supporting our customers to meet their sustainability goals and accelerating Thailand’s transition toward a circular economy,” said Vichan Tangkengsirisin, Dow Thailand President
This product development builds on previously signed collaboration agreements, including the MOU between Kao, SCGC, and Dow to develop circular packaging materials, as well as the collaboration between Kao and SCGP to introduce advanced product innovations and sustainable solutions for consumers. All four organizations aim to empower players across the value chain, including consumers to strengthen the circular economy and build a more sustainable future for generations to come through choosing packaging designed for recyclability, proper disposal of packaging, and appropriate waste segregation.
¹ Recyclability is subject to the availability of collection and recycling systems in each local area.
² Estimated based on the actual volume of refill pouch usage in 2025 (B.E. 2568).