Zenbird Editorial TeamJapanese recycling firm esa has been selected for NIC Scale X, a government-led acceleration programme headed by the Vietnam National Innovation Center. Participation in the NIC Scale X programme allows esa to deepen its understanding of local waste streams and connect with manufacturing hubs and industrial parks.
Vietnam is a popular manufacturing choice in Southeast Asia, while the demand for resource circulation of industrial plastic waste is rising. Vietnam is currently developing frameworks for Extended Producer Responsibility and circular economy markets. This make Vietnam a critical location to implement industrial circularity by returning manufacturing waste back into the production cycle as raw materials.
The company specialises in the material recycling of composite plastics, which are traditionally difficult to process. Through its proprietary esa method, the firm transforms factory scraps and packaging waste into high-quality recycled pellets. This technology aims to address the growing need for resource security. Global supply chain is vulnerable to instability and fluctuating energy prices, so recycled plastic now seen as a strategic material for ensuring stable resource procurement.
Chikako Kurokawa, CEO of esa, stated that recycling should be viewed as an industry that creates resources. She noted that plastic is a fundamental material supporting sectors such as electronics, automotive, and healthcare. Kurokawa emphasised that the company’s technology is a foundational for returning materials generated during manufacturing back into the industrial loop.
The NIC Scale X programme is supported by various organisations, including the United Nations Development Programme, the Japanese government, and Mitsubishi Research Institute. The firm esa intends to collaborate with local partners, including government agencies and research institutions, to verify the feasibility of its recycling models in the Vietnamese market.
[Reference] esa News (Japanese)
