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2566-06-28
: IRPC’s ‘From Wastes to Walk’ Initiative Transforms Lives with Recycled Plastic Orthosis
IRPC Public Company Limited, led by Arisara Suthasut, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary, presented 96 PP Sheets of Polypropylene to Dr. Pairoj Surattanawanich, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public Health, for delivery to the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute.
These PP Sheets of Polypropylene are currently undergoing the production process to create 960 pieces of Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) for patients with disabilities who suffer from foot deformities, lower limb muscle weakness, strokes, and cerebral palsy, which may cause mobility issues. This initiative ensures that they have access to supportive devices and a better quality of life.
Since 2020, IRPC’s mission, “From Wastes to Walk,” has aimed to provide renewable plastics to the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute. This collaboration involves studying and experimenting with unused Polypropylene from device production, recycling procedures, and the production of Polyethylene Terephthalate and recyclable PP Sheets.
IRPC is responsible for collecting identical plastic pieces from alliance networks, including the Prostheses Foundation In Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra Boromarajonani, 95 prostheses production plants across Thailand, the Prosthetic Equipment Unit of the Department of Medicine-Rehabilitation at Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Thai Red Cross, and the Veterans General Hospital. These pieces are then delivered to the IRPC innovation centre.
The IRPC polymer development and integrated products research team conducts research and development to mix recycled plastic with virgin plastic, resulting in premium quality recycled PP plastic. This plastic is then distributed to Eastern Polymer Group Public Company Limited to produce a 3 mm thick, 1.4 x 2 meter plastic sheet, which is provided to the Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute for testing and the production of Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) for patients with disabilities.
PP Sheets of Polypropylene are recognised as a key material for the production of artificial equipment such as prosthetics and various body accessories for patients with disabilities. After production, the surplus plastic is collected as part of the “From Wastes to Walk” program, helping to reduce environmental impacts while providing innovative products with social benefits.
With the extensive knowledge of IRPC staff, this program is committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and underprivileged patients by providing access to body support devices within a closed-loop plastic management system based on the Circular Eco framework.
