Japanese investors eye biomass feedstock, wastewater treatment projects in southern Vietnam

Long An province, a manufacturing center in southern Vietnam, has recently signed cooperation documents with major Japanese groups in biomass material supply and wastewater treatment.

The documents, inked during an investment and trade promotion conference in Japan in late March, include an MoU with Sumitomo Forestry Group on investment in melaleuca areas in Long An for biomass feedstock supply, the provincial People’s Committee said on Monday.

The Japanese forestry giant has been investing in the $110 million Vina Ecoboard project - a particle board factory - in Long An province, a manufacturing hub that borders Ho Chi Minh City.

Besides, Chitose Group, which is running bio-related companies both in Japan and overseas, signed an agreement with the Prodezi Eco-Industrial Park in Ben Luc district to utilize cutting-edge biotechnology in wastewater treatment, organic fertilizer production, and organic hydroponic farming at the park.

On this occasion, the Vietnam-Japan Economic Cooperation Promotion Association handed over a letter of intent on cooperation to Long An, covering the spheres of high-quality workforce training, high-tech agri-tourism, and transfer of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare technologies

A leading Japanese corporation specializing in waste treatment and renewable energy production also said it plans to send a delegation to Long An’s Thu Thua district to survey a waste-to-energy plant project within this month.

Apart from the conference, the Long An delegation led by provincial Chairman Nguyen Van Ut visited two high-tech agricultural models and advanced transportation systems in Japan.

They also held working sessions with leading organizations, associations, and companies, including IHI, Feager, Sapporo, and the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro).

IHI Corporation, a comprehensive heavy-industry manufacturer, expressed interest in investing in transport infrastructure projects in Long An, specifically in the upgrade of National Highway 1 and several key provincial arterial routes.

The company had participated in several major projects in Vietnam, including Nhat Tan Bridge in Hanoi, Binh Bridge in the northern port city of Hai Phong, and the Vung Ang and Van Phong 1 thermal power plants in central Vietnam.

Japan is running 161 investment projects in Long An, with total capital exceeding $1.2 billion, ranking fourth among foreign investors in terms of both project count and capital.

Highlighting Japan as a leading economic partner, Ut said Long An is working hard to improve its investment environment. The province seeks to learn from Japan’s advanced development models and apply modern technologies in industry, agriculture, urban planning, and public administration, he stressed.

Long An province is attracting strong investment thanks to its vast industrial land resources. Strategically located between HCMC and the Mekong Delta, the province boasts significant advantages in transportation, logistics, and supply chains, serving as HCMC’s gateway to the southwestern region.

Once key infrastructure projects such as the Long Thanh-Ben Luc Expressway, Ring Road 3, and Ring Road 4 are completed, this area will become a major hub for goods transshipment from the Mekong Delta to other provinces and surrounding regions.