History of Pyrolysis Technology Research and Application in Vietnam

Pyrolysis technology has only recently gained significant attention in Vietnam, particularly since the early 21st century, driven by the search for waste management and emission reduction solutions. According to a 2022 UNIDO report, “several members of the research community and private sector” in Vietnam have pioneered biochar projects for over 20 years. A significant milestone was reached in 2011 with the groundbreaking of the Dong Anh Plasma Waste Treatment Plant in Hanoi, an investment exceeding VND 700 billion with a capacity of 500 tons of waste per day. In 2012, DVA Renewable Energy was established, asserting itself as a “pioneer” in tire pyrolysis application in Vietnam. Since then, numerous research groups and businesses (such as the Vietnam Petroleum Institute and Da Nang University) have initiated scientific projects on bio-oil and biochar from pyrolysis.

Between 2016 and 2018, Chu Lai Float Glass Company in Quang Nam received government approval to pilot the import of used tires for recycling into FO-R oil via pyrolysis. Recent international support projects have also boosted pyrolysis. UNIDO’s “Small-Scale Pyrolysis System” project (2020–2023) tested a biochar production model from agricultural biomass in the Mekong Delta. More recently, the trend of green technology and Vietnam’s commitment to “carbon neutrality by 2050” are driving new investments. For example, in April 2025, Husk Vietnam (funded by Mekong Capital) announced the construction of the first rice husk biochar plant in the Mekong Delta, with an initial capacity of around 3,000 tons per year, producing biochar and carbon credits.

Application Areas of Pyrolysis Technology

Household and Industrial Waste Treatment: Pyrolysis is considered a potential solution for treating mixed solid waste. This technology is suitable for plants that do not require extensive sorting and can handle mixed organic and plastic waste, reducing waste volume while recovering energy. Environmental agencies assess that pyrolysis helps “treat various types of mixed plastic waste” and generates renewable energy products such as bio-oil, syngas, and biochar.

The image shows bales of plastic waste (nylon bags, packaging, etc.) about to be fed into the pyrolysis process. This technology can recycle mixed plastics, including dirty or chlorine-containing plastics (PVC), without producing dioxins, yielding pyrolysis oil and biochar. The recovered oil and gas are considered “green energy” that can be reused.

Recycling Plastic and Waste Tires: Pyrolysis of tires, inner tubes, and excess rubber is gaining significant interest from many businesses. For example, DVA Renewable Energy in Ba Ria – Vung Tau processes over 46,500 tons of used tires annually, recovering approximately 48% of the input mass as FO-R oil and producing carbon black. Similarly, Chu Lai Float Glass Company in Quang Nam uses pyrolysis of imported inner tubes to produce FO-R oil for glass furnaces, replacing about 46% of imported fuel.

Agricultural Biomass Treatment: Agricultural by-products like rice husks, coconut shells, and plant stalks are utilized through pyrolysis to produce biochar. Collaborative projects (Biocare in the Mekong Delta and B4SS in Thai Nguyen) have applied small-scale rice husk pyrolysis for experimental purposes, aiming to improve soil and reduce emissions. These research and projects aim to convert “large quantities of biomass waste” (especially rice husks) into high-quality biochar. The resulting biochar is not only a long-term carbon sequestration material but also improves soil fertility.

Energy and Fuel Production: Pyrolysis products (pyrolysis oil, syngas) can be used as alternative fuels. The generated bio-oil and gas can provide on-site heat or electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. For instance, syngas from the pyrolysis process can be used in boilers or turbines for power generation, contributing to renewable energy supply.

Featured Pyrolysis Projects in Vietnam

DVA Renewable Energy Plant (Phu My, Ba Ria – Vung Tau): DVA Renewable Energy operates an industrial-scale rotary pyrolysis kiln, processing approximately 250–300 tons of tires per day (equivalent to about 50,000 tons per year). DVA’s technology achieves an FO-R oil recovery rate of about 48% of the raw material weight, with the remainder being non-condensable gas and carbon black. The generated gas (14–15%) is used to fuel the kiln. The plant’s practical efficiency is improved through optimizing temperature and gas (according to GTS Innolab/VPI research), thereby increasing oil output and ensuring equipment safety.

Chu Lai Waste Tire Treatment Plant (Bac Chu Lai, Quang Nam): Chu Lai Float Glass Company (Ha Long Industrial Branch) uses pyrolysis of used inner tubes and tires to produce FO-R oil for glass manufacturing. In the two years from 2016 to 2018, the company imported approximately 148,200 tons of inner tubes and tires, yielding FO-R oil used for the Chu Lai float glass furnace (900 tons/day) and the Ninh Binh energy-saving glass furnace (2×600 tons/day). All FO-R oil produced replaced approximately 46% of imported FO fuel, reducing production costs by about VND 29.3 billion over two years. These results confirm the economic feasibility of tire pyrolysis in Vietnam.

Dong Anh Plasma Pyrolysis Plant (Hanoi): This project, invested by Thanh Quang Company, broke ground in 2011 with a scale of 88,514 m² and capital exceeding VND 700 billion. The designed capacity is approximately 500 tons of waste per day. However, as of 2022, the plant has not yet entered commercial operation. The project reflects the technical and financial difficulties encountered in implementing large-scale pyrolysis technology in Vietnam.

Husk Vietnam Biochar Plant (Mekong Delta): This project is being built by a subsidiary of Husk, an Italian biochar specialist, located in the Mekong Delta. Phase 1 (2024–2026) involves an investment of approximately USD 5 million, with a capacity of about 3,000 tons of biochar per year (plus around 3,000 carbon credits). The produced biochar is valued at approximately USD 300–400 per ton, with an additional USD 100 per ton from carbon credits. This is the first biochar project in Vietnam, aiming to improve soil and sell carbon credits on the international market.

Small-Scale Research Projects: In addition to the large-scale plants, Vietnam has pilot projects for converting agricultural biomass. For example, the Biocare project (in cooperation with Australia) has built a small-capacity rice husk pyrolysis kiln in the Mekong Delta to produce biochar for enhancing soil fertility. The B4SS project, implemented by Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, also tested a community-scale rice husk pyrolysis process, serving 500–1,000 local farmers. These projects are still in the pilot phase, helping to assess the environmental and economic impacts of biochar.

Key Businesses and Organizations Implementing Pyrolysis Technology in Vietnam

The main entities involved in researching or operating pyrolysis systems in Vietnam include:

• DVA Renewable Energy (Ba Ria – Vung Tau): A Vietnamese company pioneering tire pyrolysis technology, operating a large-scale plant.
• Husk Vietnam: A subsidiary of the Italian Husk group, investing in the first biochar plant in the Mekong Delta.
• Chu Lai Float Glass Joint Stock Company – Ha Long Branch: Specializes in importing and recycling used tires and inner tubes into FO-R oil for glass production.
• GTS Innolab (Vietnam): A green materials research center collaborating with the Vietnam Petroleum Institute to optimize tire pyrolysis kilns.
• Biocare/B4SS Projects (international cooperation): Initiatives for converting rice husks into biochar, implemented by the Institute of Ecology and Climate Change in collaboration with Australian partners/Thai Nguyen University.
• UNIDO and SECO: International organizations funding projects supporting the commercialization of small-scale pyrolysis in the Mekong Delta (2017-2023).
• Institutes and Universities (VPI, Da Nang University, University of Science – Vietnam National University, Thai Nguyen University): Involved in technical research on manufacturing and upgrading pyrolysis fuels.
• General Department of Customs, Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade (e.g., Department of Science and Technology): Also monitoring and proposing related policies.

Related Policies and Legal Regulations

Currently, there is no specific legal document for pyrolysis technology in Vietnam. This technique is often encouraged through general policies on waste management and circular economy development. For instance, the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and its guiding decrees contain provisions on waste treatment and energy recovery from waste, but do not specifically mention pyrolysis solutions. A recent legal development is the General Department of Customs’ announcement that “crude pyrolysis gasoline” is the trade name for pyrolysis oil products, helping to determine HS import codes.

However, according to experts, a legal framework is needed to support investment in pyrolysis, along with certification mechanisms and product standards (bio-oil, biochar) to ensure environmental safety. Some strategic plans for energy and the circular economy also mention advanced waste treatment technologies, but to date, there is a lack of specific preferential policies (such as tax credits, investment support) for pyrolysis.

Challenges and Barriers

Pyrolysis technology in Vietnam faces numerous difficulties:

• High Costs and Technology: Investing in industrial pyrolysis kilns requires modern equipment and high technical expertise. The initial cost for large plants is substantial. Stable operation requires a skilled workforce with a deep understanding of pyrolysis technology.
• Input Material Volatility: The efficiency of oil and by-product recovery depends on waste quality. Vietnamese household waste is often not thoroughly sorted, containing various organic materials, plastics, metals, etc. If not separated beforehand, this reduces pyrolysis efficiency and increases secondary emissions. Additionally, there is still a need to manage ash, slag, and emitted gases (though less than traditional incineration).
• Legal Framework and Market: As mentioned above, the lack of clear technical standards for pyrolysis products is a major barrier. The market for these products is also nascent: the value of pyro oil, biochar, and the liquidity of carbon credits depend on the scale of application. According to DVA, “the market for by-products such as biochar and synthetic fuels is still developing, requiring preferential policies to stimulate demand.”
• Awareness and Support Mechanisms: New technologies require acceptance from local authorities and the community. Completing support policies (capital, taxes, import of recycled raw materials, etc.) is essential. Currently, some proposals for importing waste tires (for recycling into FO-R fuel) are still in the process of administrative procedures.

Future Trends and Development Potential

Pyrolysis technology is expected to be an important solution for waste management and the circular economy in Vietnam. It enables “waste-to-resource conversion,” a key mechanism of the circular economy. In the context of Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, pyrolysis helps transform agricultural biomass and plastic waste into biochar (for long-term carbon sequestration), bio-oil, and syngas (renewable fuels).

According to DVA, as global demand for sustainable solutions increases, pyrolysis will become an economically beneficial part of the circular chain. Early-investing businesses can leverage the green energy and international carbon credit markets. To capitalize on this potential, it is necessary to continue promoting public-private cooperation, research, investment in technological advancements (e.g., catalytic pyrolysis to reduce operating temperatures), and the development of encouraging policies and standards. Overall, with proper support, pyrolysis in Vietnam can expand significantly, contributing to environmental protection, transforming waste treatment, and developing a sustainable circular economy.