VNCPC promotes sustainable agriculture and digital transformation

On April 6–7, 2026, in Bac Ninh Province, the Vietnam Institute for Research and Development of Rural Occupations (VIRI), in collaboration with the Bac Ninh Farmers’ Union Executive Committee – Farmers’ Support Fund Management Board; Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre Co., Ltd. (VNCPC), together with its partners, the Institute of International Economics and Law (IIEL) and the Institute for Research and Application of Technology (IRAT), organized a training workshop to strengthen the capacity of enterprises, cooperatives, and representatives of the Farmers’ Union in Bac Ninh Province on ESG, emission reduction, and digital transformation in agriculture.

The workshop was organized within the framework of the project “Eco-Fair Women-led Businesses in Green and Circular Agriculture in Vietnam” (Eco-Fair WBs), funded by the European Union. This activity is particularly relevant in the context of the agricultural sector facing an urgent need to transition toward greener, more sustainable development and adapt to the digital transformation trend.

Mr. La Van DoanVice Chairman of the Bac Ninh Farmers’ Union, delivering the opening remarks

The workshop aimed to support agricultural production entities in accessing modern development trends while enhancing their management capacity and market competitiveness. The program focused on promoting digital transformation in management and production, as well as disseminating sustainability standards that are increasingly becoming a “passport” for agricultural products to integrate more deeply into domestic and international value chains.

Dr. Le Hai Hung – Director of IRAT, providing guidance on greenhouse gas inventory development

Through a series of thematic sessions, participants were guided on applying green management practices to reduce emissions and use resources more efficiently, contributing to the achievement of Net Zero goals. They were also introduced to cleaner production solutions focusing on energy, water, and material savings in production processes, while receiving updates on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in the context of circular agriculture development.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hien – President of IIEL, presenting an overview of ESG and Net Zero

Ms. Do Thi Diu, M.Sc. – VNCPC Expert, presenting on resource efficiency and cleaner production

In addition, the workshop emphasized the role of digital technology as a key tool for improving management efficiency and enhancing value chain transparency, particularly in product traceability, an aspect increasingly valued by both markets and consumers. The application of technology not only helps enterprises and cooperatives optimize their operations but also contributes to increasing product value and expanding market access opportunities.

Dr. Nguyen Xuan Khoat – VIRI Expert, sharing insights on sustainability criteria in circular agriculture

Beyond knowledge sharing, the event also created opportunities for participating organizations to access free consultancy and technical support activities under the Eco-Fair WBs project, enabling them to gradually improve their production models toward greater efficiency and sustainability.

Participants receiving certificates upon completion of the training course

With its comprehensive approach combining awareness raising, capacity building, and technical support, the workshop is expected to contribute to accelerating the transition toward green and circular agriculture models at the local level, while strengthening collaboration among stakeholders within the agricultural ecosystem. This is considered an important step toward realizing the sustainable development goals of Vietnam’s agricultural sector in the new era.

VNCPC

VNCPC Surveys Agricultural By-Product Value Chains in Three Key Regions

Within the framework of the contract “Consultancy to conduct research on agricultural by-product value chains for transforming agricultural by-products into eco-products in the Northwest, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta regions”, Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre Co., Ltd. (VNCPC) carried out field survey activities in three key regions of Vietnam.

The survey activities were conducted to collect practical information on the current status of generation, collection, preliminary processing, use and commercialization of agricultural by-products such as rice straw, rice husk, cassava by-products, coffee husks and grounds, coconut fiber and many other biomass sources. This is an important basis for assessing the potential to develop value chains that transform agricultural by-products into eco-products in a circular, low-emission and environmentally friendly manner.

During the survey process, VNCPC’s team of experts worked directly with enterprises engaged in utilizing agricultural by-products to create value-added products. The survey focused on raw material procurement and supply capacity, operating scale, processing and preliminary processing technologies, storage conditions, the ability to meet raw material quality requirements, as well as investment needs and challenges related to markets, finance, certification and scaling up production.

VNCPC worked directly with enterprises engaged in utilizing agricultural by-products to create value-added products.

Initial survey results show that Vietnam has great potential to develop agricultural by-product value chains into eco-products and circular materials. Many enterprises have begun applying technologies and innovative production models to effectively utilize agricultural by-product sources, contributing to waste reduction and the creation of new economic value.

Vietnam has great potential to develop agricultural by-product value chains into eco-products and circular materials.

However, effectively harnessing this potential still requires close coordination among raw material suppliers, manufacturing enterprises, innovation entities and stakeholders across the value chain. Some key challenges identified include the seasonal nature of raw material sources, fragmented supply chains, limited market linkages and difficulties in accessing financial resources for investment in production expansion.

Some key challenges identified include the seasonal nature of raw material sources, fragmented supply chains and difficulties in accessing financial resources for investment in production expansion

Through the field survey activities, VNCPC will continue to synthesize and analyze data to develop an overview of agricultural by-product supply sources, actors in the value chain, capacity gaps and the support needs of enterprises. The research results will serve as a basis for finalizing the project design, identifying appropriate objectives and proposing solutions to promote the development of eco-product value chains from agricultural by-products in Vietnam.

Eco-products made from agricultural by-products are highly diverse and abundant.

This activity also contributes to promoting circular economy models in agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, limiting environmental pollution from agricultural by-products and creating additional livelihood opportunities, while enhancing economic value for enterprises, cooperatives and local communities.

VNCPC

Training Workshop on “Eco-Innovation in the Vietnam Textile sector”

To support textile enterprises in strengthening chemical management capacity and promoting eco-innovation throughout the value chain, the Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre Co.Ltd. (VNCPC) and the Environmental Technology Centre (ENTEC), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will organize a training workshop entitled “Eco-Innovation in the Vietnam Textile sector” in Hanoi on March 20, 2026.

The workshop is implemented under the project “Piloting Eco-Innovation in Viet Nam”, which aims to reduce the use and release of Chemicals of Concern (CoCs), including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), in the textile sector. This initiative serves as a practical effort to assist enterprises in adapting to increasingly stringent environmental and chemical management requirements in both domestic and international markets.

The training workshop will be held in Hanoi on March 20, 2026.

The program will focus on updating participants on current regulations related to chemical management; enhancing transparency and chemical data traceability across the entire value chain; and introducing eco-innovation approaches along with support mechanisms to help enterprises transition toward more sustainable business models. Through this workshop, participating companies are expected to strengthen regulatory compliance, meet export market requirements, and improve their competitiveness in the context of an accelerating green transition.

The workshop also aims to raise awareness of the opportunities associated with eco-innovation, support the development and refinement of pilot implementation plans, and foster commitments from relevant stakeholders involved in the project.

Workshop Information

Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Friday, March 20, 2026
Venue: Andonis Hotel, No. 55 Quang Trung Street, Nguyen Du Ward, Hanoi
Language: Vietnamese

Interested enterprises and organizations are kindly invited to register at:
https://vncpc.org/dang-ky-hoi-thao-doi-moi-sinh-thai/
(Registration deadline: March 17, 2026)

QR Code for Workshop Registration

Contact Information

Ms. Tran Thi Ngoc Mai
Tel: +84 97 275 2271
Email: [email protected]

VNCPC

Christmas Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year

As the Christmas season arrives, VNCPC would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your trust and collaboration throughout the year. Wishing you, your family, and your team a joyful holiday, good health, and continued success. May the coming year bring new opportunities and prosperous achievements.

Warm regards,
Mr. Le Xuan Thinh
Director of VNCPC

Shin-Etsu Vietnam saves over VND 5 billion per year through RECP implementation

By implementing Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) solutions – from simple technical adjustments to larger-scale investments Shin-Etsu Magnetic Materials Vietnam Co., Ltd. (100% Japanese-owned, located in Deep C Industrial Park, Hai Phong) has saved more than VND 5 billion per year and reduced over 2,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, becoming one of the exemplary enterprises applying the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) model in Vietnam.

A large-scale enterprise in rare-earth magnet manufacturing

Established in 2011 with a total investment of nearly USD 450 million, Shin-Etsu Vietnam currently operates three factories on an area of more than 200,000 m² and employs 2,159 workers.
The company specializes in producing rare-earth magnets – an essential material used in various industries such as motors, automobiles, electronics, wind energy, and healthcare.

Products of Shin-Etsu Vietnam and their applications in daily life.

From initial skepticism to breakthrough transformation

In 2022, when the project “Implementing EIPs in Vietnam through the approach of the global EIP programme”, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by UNIDO in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, invited Shin-Etsu to participate, the Japanese leadership believed the factory had already been optimized according to Kaizen principles for many years and that few further improvements were possible.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien, in charge of Environment – Health – Safety (EHS, HOS), it took more than two months of persuasion before the company agreed to allow the expert team to conduct a highly restricted assessment.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Liên shared at the Sustainable Production Expert Training Course organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Quang Ninh, November 2025.

However, after only three days of on-site assessment, the working team led by expert Đinh Mạnh Thắng (VNCPC) identified 21 feasible saving opportunities related to electricity, water use, and internal management.

Savings surpassing all expectations

  • In 2022 alone, Shin-Etsu implemented 19 out of 21 solutions with a total investment of USD 200,520.
    The results were remarkable:
  • USD 257,000 saved annually (equivalent to over VND 5 billion)
  • 2,031 tons of CO₂ emissions reduced

Improved working conditions and operational performance

  • Many solutions were simple yet highly effective, such as:
  • Setting air conditioners to 26°C
  • Strengthening industrial maintenance: repairing steam trap leaks, cleaning air compressor filters, air-conditioning filters, etc.
  • Ventilating the compressor room
  • Adjusting water flow in hand-washing areas

According to Ms. Liên, “Small improvements brought results far beyond expectations. They also helped the company meet the strict environmental standards required by EU and U.S. customers.”

Continued strong investment driven by confidence in improvement results

From 2023 to 2025, Shin-Etsu Vietnam continued investing more than USD 2 million in RECP solutions.
In 2023 alone, nearly USD 1.4 million was spent on new machinery and equipment, including four air compressors. These investments are considered to have high returns on investment (ROI) and significantly enhance production efficiency.

Investment and cost savings at Shin-Etsu over the years through RECP implementation.

During this period, Shin-Etsu Vietnam also implemented 35 additional RECP solutions, further optimizing the entire production line.

The company’s success demonstrates clearly that RECP not only protects the environment but also delivers tangible economic value to businesses.

The EIP Project – A launchpad for sustainable production in Vietnam

The project “Implementing Eco-Industrial Parks in Vietnam Through the Approach of the Global EIP Programme” (2020–2024), funded by SECO and implemented by UNIDO and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, aims to:

Enhance productivity and resource efficiency

Improve economic – social – environmental performance of enterprises

Contribute to promoting sustainable production in Vietnam

Deep C Industrial Park, Amata Industrial Park, and more than 100 participating enterprises have reported many positive outcomes.

VNCPC

VNCPC Participates in Training Session on Updated Environmental Regulations for Enterprises in Tay Ninh

On the morning of December 5, the Tay Ninh Economic Zone Authority, in collaboration with the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Environment, organized a conference to disseminate and update legal regulations and national technical standards on environmental protection for industrial parks (IPs) and economic zones in 2025.

More than 150 enterprises and IP infrastructure units attended the event to gain insight into new regulations, address challenges, and work together toward eco-industrial parks, a green economy, and sustainable development.

Dr. Le Xuan Thinh, Director of the Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre Co., Ltd. (VNCPC), is presenting at the training session.

During the event, experts shared key topics including:

  • Environmental protection regulations and standards for 2025

  • Criteria framework and certification procedures for Eco-IPs under Decree No. 35/2022/NĐ-CP and Circular No. 05/2025/TT-BKHĐT

  • Best-practice models, research findings, and implementation results of Eco-IPs in Vietnam

  • Assessment of opportunities for water circularity and industrial symbiosis in Phuoc Dong IP

Dr. Le Xuan Thinh is participating in a Q&A session with enterprises.

The conference also provided time to address questions and support enterprises in effectively applying new regulations in practice.

VNCPC