SCG Outlines Strategic Navigation Amid Volatile Global Shifts and New Competitiveness Landscape in ASEAN

Brickinfo News Agency – SCG has unveiled its strategic roadmap designed to navigate an increasingly volatile global landscape characterized by soaring inflation, escalating geopolitical conflicts, and rapidly evolving production technologies. These developments are driving businesses toward new rules of competition, prompting the company to stress the urgent need for flexible adaptation. To enhance regional competitiveness, the industrial giant is focusing on establishing interconnected production systems across ASEAN, accelerating the integration of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and upgrading workforce capabilities to secure short-, medium-, and long-term growth opportunities.

Mr. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and Chief Executive Officer of SCG, stated that over the next three years, the industrial sector across ASEAN will face significant challenges from manufacturers with cost advantages from massive domestic markets, alongside supply chain vulnerabilities and climate impacts.

“Today, the industrial sector, particularly across ASEAN, stands at a crossroads. If we fail to act, we may see the decline of critical foundational industries, not only in Thailand but across ASEAN. One of the most evident risks SCG sees is intensifying competition from imported products, which are often more affordable. Amidst this changing industrial landscape, we must address how domestic and across ASEAN sectors can adapt to maintain ASEAN’s competitiveness,” said Thammasak.

Despite these hurdles, SCG views ASEAN as a rising strategic hub for global supply chains, citing an Asian Development Bank projection of an average 4.7% GDP growth for the region. The company also looks to China as a vital economic partner, aiming to build strategic partnerships that leverage ASEAN as a regional manufacturing base.

“When representatives from different countries convene, they often say that ASEAN is one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions, with growth comparable to that of India and Africa. ASEAN also maintains a neutral position, enabling it to engage with all regions. Importantly, intra-ASEAN trade continues to expand at a steady pace. This presents a vital opportunity; if SCG can foster strong collaboration within ASEAN, we have the potential to become a self-reliant region,” Thammasak noted.

“The growing presence of China in ASEAN presents both challenges and opportunities. SCG needs to strengthen itself by enhancing its competitiveness while welcoming new partners from China who can become strong business partners. If we can build strong business partnerships with China, we can create shared value. For example, ASEAN can serve as a manufacturing base for products destined for markets across the region, while some products can also be exported back to China and further expanded into other international markets,” he added.

To reinforce its resilience, SCG is executing real-time risk management for energy and raw materials while maintaining rigorous financial discipline, which saw its Adjusted Cash EBITDA reach THB 14,929 million in the first quarter of 2026. Medium-term initiatives for 2026–2027 include the ethane feedstock flexibility project at the Long Son Petrochemicals plant in Vietnam and a joint venture feasibility study in Thailand between GC and SCGC. Long-term plans focus on clean energy, the circular economy, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions under an Inclusive Green Growth framework.

“In the immediate term, SCG’s execution must be agile and responsive in real time, as market conditions are changing every day. Another important point is maintaining financial strength because many businesses do not fail because they are unprofitable, but because they run out of cash. Over the next two years, we need to enhance our competitiveness to break through the constraints that currently limit us, so that our business can create greater opportunities and build greater strength. Looking three to five years ahead, we must establish new growth platforms, including expanding into clean energy and developing new S-curves, to create more avenues for SCG’s future growth,” Thammasak explained.

The company identifies human talent as the definitive driver behind technological transformation, emphasizing that technology alone cannot deliver business results without people utilizing it effectively.

“Technology alone, including AI, does not deliver business results. SCG believes that AI technology must be driven by people. The greatest challenge, however, is helping employees recognize the opportunities it presents. This is crucial. Therefore, SCG’s positioning as an ‘Organization of Opportunities’ will serve as the most effective catalyst to accelerate this transformation,” said Thammasak.

He concluded by stressing that building competitiveness requires a collective ecosystem effort rather than isolated organizational movement.

“SCG cannot move forward alone. We must advance together with our entire supply chain, and not only within Thailand but across ASEAN. Thailand is fortunate to be part of ASEAN, a growing region that continues to attract strong interest from other nations and regions globally. However, if we do not collaborate and adapt swiftly, we risk falling into a trap of industrial decline, from which recovery would be exceedingly difficult.”