Ho Chi Minh city, 1 November 2024 - Vietnam’s bright environmental entrepreneurs gathered in Ho Chi Minh City to showcase innovations focused on plastic waste reduction as part of their involvement in Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO’s Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network (IPPIN).
This pioneering Australian science and technology program is a key initiative under Australia’s Mekong Plastics Innovation Alliance, culminating in a Demonstration Day where sustainable innovations were unveiled that could transform how we produce, use, and recycle plastic materials.
Innovations on show at the IPPIN Demo Day include systems for greener gift exchanges and new ways to transform coffee grounds into carbon negative plastic products.
The Demo Day marks 13 weeks of intensive coaching as part of the IPPIN Accelerator+ program, where entrepreneurs have focussed on developing businesses and innovations aimed at reducing plastic waste.
Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh Sarah Hooper said: “Through the Mekong-Australia Partnerships and initiatives such as IPPIN, we are supporting Vietnam’s entrepreneurs to discover lasting solutions to plastic challenges, ensuring cleaner environments and a more secure economic future for all. This Demo Day demonstrates how Australia and Vietnam are working together to enhance sustainable economic collaboration between Australia and Vietnam.”
CSIRO Counsellor to Vietnam, Kim Wimbush, said: “Sustainable initiatives in Vietnam have been rapidly growing since the pandemic and to support this, CSIRO ensures IPPIN projects are grounded in innovation, science and technology. To further accelerate the future success of innovative ideas, we connect top entrepreneurs with educators and industry. I am looking forward to witnessing the future growth and impact of the teams in their ongoing efforts to build sustainable, profitable solutions to reduce waste across the Mekong.”
The IPPIN Demo Day showcases the potential of Vietnamese entrepreneurs to drive positive change and contribute to a cleaner, greener Vietnam. It highlights CSIRO’s ongoing commitment to ending plastic waste and changing the way we reduce, reuse and recycle plastic.
For further information, please contact:
Lê Hà Phương
Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network, Vietnam Chapter Manager
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +84 90 427 79 90