ATI Magazine June-July 2015 issue

THE concept of the Circular Economy – where waste does not exist – dates back to the 1960s, but new technology, much of it still in development stage, is needed to bring it fully into the public domain.

The bottom line is that a number of companies have already shown they can improve profits by regenerating waste products.

We report on current thinking in a world driven by consumerism and an almost subconscious understanding that we need to accept “more from less”.

Resource-poor countries like Japan are among those in the vanguard of recycling waste, leading the world in many areas of research and innovation. Australia’s property and construction sector is also a world leader in sustainability credentials.

As McKinsey puts it: “The take, make and dispose model of production has long relied on cheap resources to maintain growth and stability. That world no longer exists.”

Re-inventing a global green villain – Indonesia’s Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) has won back global customers after a rethink on environmental policy.

Thailand needs a reality check Governments, elected or not, must address core problems that have been ignored for too long.

Myanmar the rising star of intra-Asia investment – in 5-10 years’ time.

World markets wary – but QE easing may not be as traumatic as feared.

MERS adds to Korean woes – tourism, spending take hits as exports decline.

Managing the RMB – Benefits for buyers and sellers.

CFOs embrace benefits of mobile banking – as emerging economies leap from cash to mobile.