From launching one of the first pyrolysis recycling businesses in Thailand in 2014, to completing the FEED study for an industrial chemical pyrolysis plant in the Eastern Economic Corridor and on track to reach financial close by 2027.

Tour the Process
Exterior of the former VA Energy pilot plant

Twelve years.

From the commissioned pilot in Samut Prakan to the planned industrial project in Bo Win.

  1. 2014–2015

    Business launched. First permits secured.

    VA Energy launched one of the first advanced pyrolysis recycling businesses in Thailand in 2014 and secured operational permits in 2015.

    Early VAO Energy pilot plant equipment
  2. 2019

    Pilot plant commissioned.

    VA Energy secured an exclusive offtake agreement with IRPC, a subsidiary of PTT. The pilot plant was successfully commissioned in Samut Prakan, with a capacity of 7 tonnes per day.

    VAO and IRPC representatives at the offtake signing
  3. 2020–2021

    Pilot improved. A new chapter.

    Through operational learning and investment in better technology, VAO improved the pilot plant to a maximum capacity of 20 tonnes of pyrolysis oil per day. The pilot plant was successfully sold in 2021, and the company was renamed VAO Energy.

    VAO Energy pilot plant processing equipment
  4. 2022

    USTDA feasibility support.

    The U.S. Trade and Development Agency supported a feasibility study for a larger chemical recycling facility in Thailand.

    Read more about this
    VAO Energy receiving USTDA support
  5. 2025

    Second grant secured.

    Following the successful feasibility study, IFC and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste provided a second grant to fund the front-end engineering design (FEED) study.

    VAO Energy representatives visiting IFC
  6. 2025

    FEED completed.

    Working closely with its supporting partners, VAO Energy completed the FEED study by the end of 2025.

    VAO Energy project representatives at the FEED engineering ceremony
  7. 2027

    Targeted investment decision.

    VAO targets Final Investment Decision for the Bo Win project in 2027.

    Illustrative investment agreement with engineering plansIllustrative image · Future project target
  8. 2029 Q2

    Targeted Bo Win commissioning.

    Line 1 at Bo Win Industrial Estate is planned to process 30 kta, with an expansion path to 90 kta total at the Chonburi site.

    Illustrative aerial view of the planned Bo Win industrial plant
Pilot plant

From seven to twenty tonnes per day.

The Samut Prakan pilot plant was initially commissioned at 7 tonnes per day in 2019. Through operational learning and investment in better technology, it reached a maximum capacity of 20 tonnes of pyrolysis oil per day before its sale in 2021.

Location
Sisa Chorakhe Yai, Bang Sao Thong District, Samut Prakan
Operation
Batch operation with rotary kiln reactor
Reactor volume
40 m³ · 2,800 mm × 7,000 mm length
Feedstock
Waste plastics: PP, PE, PS; waste oil
Capacity
Initially 7 tonnes per day · later up to 20 tonnes of pyrolysis oil per day