As part of the ‘Eco-industrial Park Initiative for Sustainable Industrial Zones in Viet Nam’ project jointly developed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park in Da Nang has been converted into eco-industrial park (EIP) on a trial basis since 2016.   

The implementation of the ‘Eco-industrial Park Initiative for Sustainable Industrial Zones in Viet Nam’ project has helped businesses operating at the Hoa Khanh IP reduce their environmental impact and costs.

According to the Authority of the Da Nang High-Tech Park and Industrial Parks, the Hoa Khanh IP has undergone conversion over the past 4 years, and it has to date met most of the basic criteria of EIPs.

The deployment of the pilot project has helped the city use its resources efficiently, and promote cleaner production (RECP) in 29 companies operating in the Hoa Khanh IP.

Over the 4-year period, the project’s experts have provided over 300 cleaner production solutions for companies operating in this park. They have helped businesses reduce their carbon, energy and waste footprints, hereby saving a total of 15 billion VND in operating costs every year.

In addition, the project has helped to raise awareness amongst the businesses about the use of clean and new technologies in an attempt to reduce environmental impacts and cut production costs to increase profits.

Businesses are using clean and low-carbon technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and water pollution.

The Hifill JSC, one of participating companies in the project, has used new technologies to help it implement the innovation and grow its businesses.

In particular, the company has spent more than 450 million VND on a twisted ribbed mesh production line. Thanks to the operation of the new production line, the company saves annually about 800 million VND on the costs of such raw materials as steel and paper, and reduce power costs by 60 million VND. Most notably, the labour productivity of workers in this company has been increased by 300%.

Mr Nguyen Anh Vu, General Director of the Hifll JSC, highlighted the vital role of the pilot project in bringing more benefits to his company over the past years.

Mr Vu also said that his company has enjoyed many benefits from the pilot project, including learning valuable experience in implementing green and clean production models from both domestic and foreign experts.

However, participating businesses have fought it very difficult to access loans from sources of funds for the project.

Mr Pham Truong Son, the Head of the Authority of Da Nang’s Hi-Tech Park and Industrial Parks, said the project has helped businesses operating in the Hoa Khanh Industrial Park reduce their environmental impact and costs.

Mr Son also remarked that, in the coming time, the city will focus on building a network of experts to give more active support to businesses operating in IPs, hereby helping them promote their cleaner production activities, and increase their competitiveness and profits.

By KHANH HOA - Translated by MAI DUNG