The pioneer enterprise in clean production

​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - In recent years, the world economy has faced many challenges, so Net Zero (net zero emissions) is a big issue for businesses. However, according to experts, this process also brings opportunities for strong cooperation and development. 

Production of shoes from natural rubber for international market by Tuan Viet Shoe Company Limited (Nhon Trach district) 

Although it is insignificant, many businesses in Dong Nai province and the country are reducing fuel, converting technology, and reusing packaging to achieve the goal of more sustainable development.

Prioritize technology and energy 

Since 1995, Cargill Group (USA) has invested in an animal feed factory in Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Zone. After that, the group has expanded its investment in many domestic factories and ones in neighboring countries. Recently, Cargill Group inaugurated its second factory in Dong Nai that meets green production criteria.

Mr. Pham Duc Thang, General Director of Cargill Vietnam and Thailand in animal nutrition, said that this was Cargill's most modern factory in Asia. The project is built according to a green model with prefabricated steel buildings and roofs that make the most of natural light. Inside, the main production stages are performed by robots with an automation rate of more than 95%, ensuring quality control, reducing labor and the rate of defective goods. Therefore, the product meets international standards for quality and safety such as: ISO 22000 and FAMI QS.

Green production moving towards Net Zero is the common interest of every country. This process can be shortened if the business community, investors, and domestic and foreign organizations all work together. Ajinomoto Vietnam Company in Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Zone has also implemented a policy of reducing net emissions to zero for many years. Waste generated from the production of MSG (mainly molasses and tapioca starch) is reused as fertilizer and animal feed. In addition, the company adheres to the 3R principle: reduce - reuse - recycle to minimize the amount of waste that must be processed, as well as using rice husks as fuel for boilers instead of gas, reusing wastewater for watering plants.

Deputy General Director of Creativity, Innovation and Business Development of NS BlueScope Vietnam Co., Ltd. (with its branch in Bien Hoa 1 Industrial Zone) Ms. Lam To Trinh said that Net Zero is a long journey, the enterprise needs to come up with a roadmap for each stage in the current situation. At BlueScope, the enterprise has started by attaching solar batteries to the roof to reduce electricity consumption in the office and cafeteria areas. Going forward, the business plans to continue installing solar panels in production areas and switching to new technologies to achieve the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

Another distinguished enterprise in implementing a circular economy model towards effective zero emissions is Nestlé Vietnam Company Limited. The group's roadmap is for factories to reduce emissions by 20% by 2025, 50% by 2030 and achieve the Net Zero goal by 2050. In Dong Nai province, Nestlé Vietnam Co., Ltd. has invested in the construction of 3 manufacturing factories. To realize the Net Zero goal, Nestlé Group focuses on promoting regenerative agriculture, conserving and regenerating forests. In addition, they are implementing a program to reduce emissions in production. As for packaging, the group aims to have over 95% of plastic packaging designed for recycling by 2025.

Provimi Premix Pet Nutrition Factory (Giang Dien Industrial Park, Trang Bom District) follows the green construction criteria of Cargill Group.  

Consistent and stable mechanism is the key

Although there have been commitments, projects, plans, and action strategies, in reality, Vietnam still does not have specific policies, standards, or Net Zero norms for the economy and individual sector.

Dr. Ha Dang Son, Deputy Technical Director of the Vietnam Low Emission Energy Program II of USAID (United States Agency for International Development), said that energy was the most important field in green growth. In Power Plan VIII issued in May 2023, Vietnam set a target of developing 80-85% of renewable energy in the total energy structure by 2050, but at the moment policies for this field are still lacking.

From a business perspective, General Director of Thanh Tung 2 Company Limited (Vinh Cuu District) Bui Xuan Hung said that laws, decrees, and circulars all have content to encourage recycling and reuse of waste, but enterprises have not received any incentives. For many years now, businesses have spent money investing, researching and developing recycled products from industrial waste, but most of it is given to charity. Therefore, there should be preferential policies on capital for the production and consumption of recycled products.

Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Hoang said that many businesses in Dong Nai wanted to develop renewable energy and reuse waste for production to save costs and achieve green certificates for export, but it was difficult to do so. The reason is that the law is not clear and the instructions from departments are not consistent. For example, in the past 2 years, Dong Nai province has repeatedly proposed procedures for implementing self-produced and self-consumed rooftop solar power projects, but the written response was very slow and too general. Similarly, up to now there are still no specific regulations for reusing wastewater for watering plants while businesses desperately need it. ​