When packaging is not just a container for products, but also thoughtful and environmentally friendly.

Every time we pick up a shiny snack pouch to enjoy, few of us stop to think that the ‘packaging’ in our hands is playing an essential role in the future of the world.

Did you know? Most food, beverages, and consumer product packaging are made from multi-layer, multi-material plastic (multi-material) because each layer is designed to serve different functions. For example, the outer layer must provide attractive print quality, the middle layer helps preserve food quality, such as protecting against moisture and air, and the inner layer ensures food safety. This makes the materials difficult to separate for recycling, and in the end, they often end up being buried or incinerated.

GC and its role as a leader in sustainable plastic innovation

GC is moving toward becoming an ‘innovation organization for sustainability’ by developing Mono Material plastic solutions—an innovation that shifts the mindset from ‘use and discard’ to ‘use and reuse,’ giving every piece of plastic a new lifecycle.

The term Mono Material refers to a material made entirely from a single type of plastic, such as packaging made entirely from polyethylene (PE). Examples include food and beverage packaging (tea and coffee refill pouches) and dishwashing liquid refill bags.

It may sound like a small detail, but it has a significant impact on the environment. Because the material is composed of only one type of plastic, it can be recycled easily and efficiently—no separation, no parts to discard—allowing plastic to truly re-enter the circular economy. Most importantly, it also requires less energy and reduces environmental impact.

Mono Material therefore meets the needs of both manufacturers and consumers, offering all the required industrial properties such as strength, flexibility, and heat resistance—and, importantly, being 100% recyclable. It also gives consumers peace of mind, knowing that what they hold in their hands is not future waste but a resource ready to be reborn.

Advancing further by creating packaging that is better in both performance and environmental impact

Recently, GC collaborated with partners to develop Mono Material packaging innovation using MDOPE (Machine Direction Oriented Polyethylene Film) technology. This technology enhances protective properties through a 7-layer film structure that prevents moisture, vapor, and air from passing through, helping preserve product quality better than before—while still being 100% recyclable. This marks an upgrade in the quality and performance of Mono Material.

GC is not only creating new products but also fostering a ‘new way of thinking’ that integrates innovation into people’s everyday lives in pursuit of the best solutions.

An award that reflects our commitment

GC’s polyethylene plastic resin innovation (Mono Material PE) received the National Innovation Award 2025 from the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization). The innovation enables packaging that is easier to recycle while maintaining quality comparable to multi-layer (multi-material) packaging, offering clarity, strength, and durability. This innovation is considered a ‘Total Material Solution’ ready for commercial use and serves as an important model for the circular economy in Thailand.

A Small Step. A Transformative Impact.

Mono Material is another proof of how plastic and chemical innovation can be differentiated, and it is one of the key pieces in the larger picture of driving sustainability. This is achieved through integrated collaboration across the entire value chain—from producers to end users—leading to tangible post-consumer plastic waste management.