Engineering a Greener Frontier:
Chawalit Tippawanich on the Future of Sustainable Utilities

Chawalit Tippawanich –
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
AMATA U Co., Ltd.

Executive Insights

Chawalit Tippawanich
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMATA U Co., Ltd.

With decades of experience navigating the complexities of energy and petrochemicals, Chawalit Tippawanich is now steering AMATA U Co toward a circular economy.
Discover how he is integrating direct PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) wheeling, solar generation, and smart resource management to ensure that Thailand’s industrial ecosystem doesn't just grow—it thrives responsibly.

Diverse Leadership:

  • Q:

    You have served as CEO and President for major organisations like IRPC PCL, GPSC (Global Power Synergy PCL, and HMC Polymers PCL. How has transitioning between these industrial giants shaped your current leadership philosophy at AMATA U?

  • A:

    Learning has no frontier. Change is inevitable, and since we cannot fully control the external environment, we must embrace it.

    Each experience has been a journey of growth, offering opportunities to groom and empower teams.

I believe in allowing a reasonable margin of deviation from targets to give teams freedom, while ensuring everyone is aligned with the same mission. True power comes from integration, not segregation.

The “Diversified” Executive

  • Q:

    Your career spans Engineering, HR (Human Resources) and beyond. Which of these diverse roles do you find yourself wearing most often in your current position?

  • A:

    My roles have consistently focused on driving organisational growth—through major project investments, mergers, and acquisitions.

    At the same time, I enjoy leading organisational redesigns, transforming operating processes, and introducing new technologies to build multi-skilled teams and strengthen overall capability.

Boardroom Insights

  • Q:

    Having served on over 25 Boards of Directors since 2010, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned about corporate governance that you now apply to AMATA U?

  • A:

    Corporate governance is a non-negotiable mission. Transparency, compliance with laws and internal processes, and building stakeholder trust are essential for success.

    Boards of Directors play a critical role in shaping governance direction and ensuring organisations uphold these principles

Energy Transition

  • Q:

    With your background in GPSC and the Thailand Energy Academy, how are you integrating sustainable energy solutions into AMATA’s industrial ecosystem?

  • A:

    Tenant demand for clean and sustainable energy is rising.

I see opportunities to lead collaborations among AMATA Group, our tenants, and strategic partners to develop and execute comprehensive sustainable energy plans.

International Collaboration

  • Q:

    How does your international exposure with joint ventures like Cargill, LyondellBasell, and Mitsubishi Chemical help you attract and manage global investors for AMATA?

  • A:

    Every AMATA employee is an ambassador of AMATA Group.

    My accumulated global network and experience, combined with the reach of our colleagues, allow us to connect with international investors seeking the right environment for growth.

    AMATA Cities across various countries provide tailored solutions for their business expansion.

Community Impact

  • Q:

    How does your commitment to social and community contributions translate into AMATA’s Smart City and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?

  • A:

    Guided by AMATA Group’s “All Win Philosophy,” we embed every stakeholder into our equation.

    Our initiatives—such as water resource management to mitigate droughts and floods, ensuring safety in surrounding areas, and developing green energy projects through solar generation and direct PPA wheeling—are designed to benefit communities, societies, tenants, and all stakeholders.

The AMATA U Mission

  • Q:

    As CEO of AMATA U, what is your primary “North Star” goal for the company over the next three to five years?

  • A:

    Our mission is to empower industries with sustainable utilities and services.

    We aim to serve both AMATA Cities and new frontiers with strategic partners, delivering reliable, sustainable, and environmentally conscious solutions.

    By implementing innovative technologies, we optimise resource management, foster the circular economy, and uphold a deep sense of responsibility toward all stakeholders.

Operational Excellence

  • Q:

    Given your background in organisational effectiveness at Thaioil, what internal transformations are you leading to make AMATA U more agile and efficient?

  • A:

    In today’s global VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) environment, agility is not optional—it is essential.

    At AMATA U, we are strengthening our workforce through multi-skill development, expanding teams to support growth, and leveraging innovative tools such as AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) to enhance efficiency and resilience, ensuring we can navigate even the toughest scenarios.

Navigating Industry Shifts

  • Q:

    With experience across Olefins, Refinery, and Bio-Plastics, what do you see as the biggest challenge and opportunity for Thailand’s industrial sector in the era of decarbonisation?

  • A:

    Petrochemicals and refineries remain the backbone of global energy and smart materials, supporting Thailand’s economic growth.

    Transitioning to sustainable fuels and compostable materials presents both challenges and opportunities.

    Thailand’s strong agricultural base, established industrial infrastructure, and supportive government policies make it an attractive investment destination for sustainable energy and businesses.

The key challenges lie in ensuring clear, long-term incentive policies, effective resource management, and sustainable energy development.

The Next Generation

  • Q:

    What advice would you give to young Thai engineers aspiring to follow your path into executive leadership?

  • A:

    Learning has no frontier. As humans, we must adapt to a symbiotic relationship with technology and AI.

    While technology offers ready-made solutions, we must not neglect developing our own skills.

    Multi-skilling is essential for everyone. Embrace change, continue learning, and cultivate diverse capabilities to thrive in the future.

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