Vietnamese plastics firms eye circular economy industrial zones

The initiative aims to create a legal framework and favorable conditions for enterprises to invest in advanced recycling technologies and contribute to the sector’s sustainable development.

The proposal was announced on the sidelines of the 23rd Vietnam International Plastics and Rubber Industry Exhibition (VietnamPlas 2025), currently taking place in Ho Chi Minh City.

Huynh Thi My, vice-chairwoman and secretary-general of the association, said that the goal is to boost the recycling sector in a bid to meet domestic demand and serve exports.

Some major enterprises are pioneering advanced technologies and constructing internationally certified recycling plants, My said.

It is a positive sign of transformation within the recycling industry, she stressed.

Vietnam’s 2020 environmental protection law and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanism are encouraging plastics firms to proactively invest in recycling infrastructure, reduce dependence on imported raw materials, and align with Vietnam’s net-zero 2050 commitment.

Vietnam is steadfast in its commitment to achieving a net-zero emission target by 2050.

“Vietnam’s plastic recycling sector is shifting from small, traditional models to large-scale, hi-tech operations,” My said.

With coordinated efforts from the government, businesses, and communities, the country could raise its recycling rate to up to 50 percent within the next decade, she added.

Vietnam discharges some 1.8 million metric tons of plastic waste each year, but it recycles just 27 percent of the total volume.

The EPR mechanism, combined with a national focus on circular economic development, presents a pivotal opportunity for Vietnam’s plastics industry to build a transparent, modern, and sustainable recycling ecosystem.

VietnamPlas 2025, co-organized by VINEXAD National Trade Fair and Advertising JSC and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam Company, runs through Saturday at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

The event has brought together over 650 exhibitors, with 1,200 booths, from 20 countries and territories.

The exhibition space covers more than 22,000 square meters.

The exhibition features cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions with a view to enhancing the productivity and efficiency of the plastics and rubber sectors.

Notably, leading suppliers from China, South Korea, and the United States are showcasing high-performance systems designed to reduce cycle times and energy consumption.