Sarintorn Phansopa

Sarintorn Phansopa

GENERAL MANAGER, PERFECT PAPER CO LTD; THAI RECYCLING INDUSTRY LEADER

Industry : Business

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Sarintorn Phansopa is the General Manager of Perfect Paper Co Ltd, a Thai recycling company that has been operational for nearly five decades. The company was founded by her father, who began by collecting used paper from various sources using a small pickup truck. Under Sarintorn’s leadership, Perfect Paper has expanded significantly, processing between 20,000 to 40,000 tonnes of used paper monthly from households, banks, universities and publishing houses. The paper is then sorted, compressed and distributed to clients for use as raw materials in various products.

With over 20 years of experience in the family business, Sarintorn has overseen the company’s growth from a small-scale operation to a significant player in Thailand’s recycling industry. She has been instrumental in modernising the company’s operations by implementing digital solutions for logistics and marketing, resulting in improved efficiency and increased revenue.

Sarintorn is a strong advocate for the circular economy, focusing on reducing waste and recovering resources at the end of a product’s life cycle. She has led Perfect Paper to align with global sustainability trends, contributing to Thailand’s efforts in adopting circular economy practices. Looking ahead, Sarintorn envisions a sustainable future for Perfect Paper, aiming to balance short-term profitability with long-term environmental and social benefits. Her leadership continues to drive the company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management.

Sarintorn Phansopa

Friday Future Lister: Sarintorn Leads a 50-Year Family Business into a Greener Future

Sarintorn Phansopa evolves her family business into a modern global recycling leader shaping Thailand’s sustainable future.

In a world where waste continues to grow and resources become increasingly strained, the idea of a circular economy has gained new urgency. Instead of discarding materials after a single use, this approach extends their life cycle and turns what people often see as waste into something valuable. 

Previously, we explored how Chanut “Kong” Wudhiwigaigarn turns the circular economy into practical, everyday actions through his channel KongGreenGreen. Today, we look at another dimension of this movement. 

In Thailand, the circular economy is more than a concept. It is already happening in businesses that give waste a second life. For nearly five decades, Perfect Paper has collected, sorted and redistributed used paper, turning it into raw material for new products.

Sarintorn Phansopa, second-generation Managing Director at Perfect Paper, has spent over 20 years guiding the company through growth and modernisation. Today, her work reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management.

Courtesy of Perfect Paper

Starting from Family Business

Founded in 1998, Perfect Paper specialises in sorting and supplying high-quality recovered paper. The business forms part of the circular economy, built on the principle of using resources as efficiently as possible to support long-term environmental sustainability. 

The story began in 1972 with Sarintorn’s father, who collected, sorted and delivered discarded paper to factories before officially formalising the business in 1998. In 2005, the expansion of a new facility in Rangsit, Pathum Thani marked a turning point, as operations became larger and more complex. Recognising the need for stronger structure, he encouraged Sarintorn, a data analyst at the National Science and Technology Development Agency for six years, to leave her role and join the family business. She made the decision to return and help build the company into a more structured and scalable operation. 

Perfect Paper’s core function is to purchase recovered paper and sort it according to specific quality requirements. Each batch of recovered paper, from office and printed materials to cardboard and newspapers, is carefully selected before being sent to manufacturers for processing into new paper products. Its clients range from large to small-scale manufacturers that use recycled paper as a key raw material. 

Sarintorn carries on her father’s legacy, maintaining strong relationships with clients in Thailand and abroad. Consistent sorting standards and reliable deliveries help clients reduce inventory costs, while the quality meets international standards, with direct exports possible without third-party inspection.

Perfect Paper into a New Era

When Sarintorn took the reins of Perfect Paper, she brought a fresh perspective shaped by her years as a data analyst in the public sector, where she learned to work with complex information and systems. She applied those skills to the family business, introducing modern management systems and digital tools, including an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, to integrate operations across accounting, finance, production, procurement, sales, and distribution. Strategic planning became a core focus, with clear goals to boost productivity, streamline operations, reduce costs and ensure deliveries reached clients on time and to specification. 

Courtesy of Perfect Paper

Every quarter, the market was analysed, opportunities identified and relationships with clients and partners nurtured, all to strengthen the role of recycled paper in a wide range of industries and to drive sustainable revenue growth.

Her vision went beyond daily operations. She rebranded Perfect Paper, positioning it as a world-class organisation under the philosophy of World Waste Management, a global standard that delivers sustainable value to all stakeholders. The company aims to meet international standards in comprehensive waste management, handling all types of recyclable materials. 

Sustainability remains central, with the company integrating the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into every aspect of its operations. As a key player in the paper industry supply chain, Sarintorn focuses on balanced growth across five main stakeholder groups: suppliers, partners, investors, employees, communities and consumers.

Guiding Growth in a Rapidly Changing World 

Adapting to customer trends is key for Sarintorn. Perfect Paper stays flexible, following what people need. Fewer people read magazines or newspapers, but online shopping drives demand for boxes and packing paper. Whatever consumers use, Perfect Paper collects and supplies to factories as raw material. Keeping up with these shifts keeps the company useful and trusted by clients. 

Courtesy of Perfect Paper

Today, Perfect Paper operates its headquarters and main facility in Bang Pu, with additional plants in Rangsit and Mahachai. The company also oversees a group of affiliated businesses, including Rangsit Recycle, Muang Kradad and Plawan Logistics.

With Sarintorn at the helm, Perfect Paper entered a new chapter, embracing modern practices while honouring its family roots. From humble beginnings, the company has grown steadily, reaching THB 2,000 million in 2023. As a second-generation leader, she helps the business adapt, grow and stay relevant in a fast-changing world.

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