The Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, demonstrated its international expertise by participating in the 12th 3R International Scientific Conference on Material Cycles and Waste Management (3RINC), held from 9–11 March 2026. Led by Professor Chettiyappan Visvanathan from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the delegation joined a key Asia-Pacific platform that brought together scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and industry leaders. The conference aimed to advance sustainable development through the 3Rs concept—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle—addressing escalating environmental challenges while promoting efficient resource utilization and reducing dependence on virgin materials.

As a globally recognized expert, Professor Chettiyappan Visvanathan was invited as a keynote speaker, delivering a presentation titled “Advancing Circular Economy Pathways for Construction Waste Management in ASEAN: Challenges, Innovation and Policy Direction.” His talk emphasized the urgent need to transform construction waste management systems across ASEAN countries in alignment with circular economy principles.

During the session, he highlighted key regional challenges, including rapid urbanization, regulatory gaps, and limitations in waste management infrastructure. He also presented innovative approaches and technologies capable of converting construction waste into high- value secondary resources. Importantly, he underscored the need for stronger policy integration across nations to establish a functional circular market for construction materials.

In addition to his keynote role, Professor Chettiyappan Visvanathan served as the Lead Technical Reviewer for Special Session VII on “Waste Utilization as Functional Materials for Environmental Application.” This session featured research supported by the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), focusing on transforming industrial and agricultural waste into high- performance materials for environmental applications. His contributions reflect Thailand’s growing potential to become a regional hub for environmental research and innovation on the global stage.