TIẾNG VIỆT Insee and Saca Strengthen International Cooperation through Switzerland’s 30 years of construction waste recycling experience
Representatives of INSEE Vietnam, SACA, and the Swiss Association for Circular Construction Materials at the signing ceremony of the three-party Framework Cooperation Agreement.
From October 26-31, 2026, INSEE Vietnam, in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Construction and Building Materials (SACA), organized a series of site visits and working sessions in Switzerland to gain practical insights into construction waste recycling. A key highlight of the trip was the signing ceremony of a three-party Framework Cooperation Agreement between the Swiss Association for Circular Construction Materials, SACA, and INSEE Vietnam, marking a new milestone in strengthening professional collaboration and promoting international cooperation in advancing the circular economy within the construction industry.
The business trip marked an important next step following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between INSEE Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Construction and Building Materials (SACA) in September 2026. Building on this partnership, the parties continued to expand their international network while gaining access to Switzerland’s practical experience as a country with more than 30 years of expertise in construction waste recycling. The visit provided an opportunity to explore and assess the potential application of recycling solutions and operational models suited to Vietnam’s local conditions, particularly in the management and recycling of construction and demolition waste in Ho Chi Minh City.
One of the most significant milestones of the trip was the signing ceremony of the Framework Cooperation Agreement between the Swiss Association for Circular Construction Materials, the Ho Chi Minh City Association of Construction and Building Materials (SACA), and INSEE Vietnam. Representing INSEE Vietnam, Mr. Eamon John Ginley, General Director, signed the agreement alongside Mr. Lionel Lathion, President of the Swiss Association for Circular Construction Materials, and Mr. Phan Huu Duy Quoc, Vice Chairman of SACA. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Paul Heinz Hugentobler, Chairman of INSEE Group; Prof. Dr. Dang Mau Chien, Member of SACA’s Executive Committee; Dr. Trinh Bao Son, Specialist at the Urban Management Research Division, Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies; Mr. Derek Williamson, Concrete & Aggregates Solution Development Manager at INSEE Vietnam; and Mr. Dao Nguyen Khanh, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Communications at INSEE Vietnam.
The agreement aims to promote the research, production, and application of construction materials recycled from waste generated during construction and demolition activities. Through these efforts, the parties seek to conserve natural resources, reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills, and enhance the value of recovered materials. To achieve these objectives, the parties will focus on sharing technical knowledge and expertise; researching, developing, and implementing recycling solutions; and exchanging experience in operational models, management mechanisms, and supporting policies.
In particular, the three parties will jointly explore and propose appropriate mechanisms for recognizing materials recovered from construction and demolition activities as secondary raw materials or reusable construction materials, if they meet the relevant technical and environmental requirements. The agreement will remain effective for three years from the date of signature by all three parties, establishing a framework for future cooperation and technical exchanges. Building on the existing partnership between INSEE Vietnam and SACA, the involvement of the Swiss Association for Circular Construction Materials is expected to broaden access to international expertise, support research, and facilitate the gradual application of recycling solutions tailored to the practical conditions of Ho Chi Minh City.
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| INSEE Vietnam and SACA delegation visits construction waste recycling facilities in Switzerland, gaining practical insights to explore potential applications in Vietnam |
In addition, as part of the trip, the delegation visited 06 construction waste recycling facilities across Switzerland to gain first-hand insights into waste reception, sorting and treatment processes, recycling technologies, and methods for recovering materials and reintegrating them into the production cycle. Through working sessions and discussions with facility operators, the delegation gained a deeper understanding of management models, technical requirements, quality control mechanisms, and the challenges involved in implementation. The visits also provided an opportunity for the parties to exchange professional perspectives and learn from three decades of experience in developing Switzerland’s construction waste recycling sector, laying the groundwork for researching and proposing solutions suited to Vietnam’s infrastructure, technical capabilities, and management conditions.
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| The delegation conducts an on-site assessment to gain insights into operational conditions and technical solutions at a construction waste recycling facility in Switzerland. |
Key Lessons from the Technical Visit to Switzerland
| Sorting waste at demolition sites is a key factor in determining the effectiveness of recycling operations. Construction and demolition waste treatment facilities in Switzerland are mostly located near urban areas and operate separately from municipal solid waste treatment systems, ensuring dedicated management and recycling processes that facilitate material recovery and reuse. Treatment costs for construction and demolition waste vary significantly depending on the level of waste segregation. Mixed waste, including concrete, bricks, wood, rubber, and other materials, can cost up to ten times more than separately sorted concrete waste. The most challenging waste streams to treat are fine particles and mineral-based materials such as dust and asbestos. Their treatment requires partnerships with, or access to, incineration facilities at power plants or cement plants. Construction waste recycling facilities in Switzerland are often integrated on-site with one or more ready-mixed concrete batching plants to utilize recycled material outputs. This arrangement helps reduce transportation costs and improve overall economic efficiency. Daily laboratory testing is essential for rigorous quality control of recycled materials, ensuring that the final output meets the required standards. Waste collection and transportation are handled by dedicated vehicle fleets equipped with CCTV surveillance and GPS tracking systems to monitor and manage transportation routes. The Swiss Association for Circular Construction Materials is willing to share Switzerland’s technical guidelines, enabling SACA to study and consider proposing their application through the cooperation framework established under the MOU signed with INSEE. |
This business trip has laid a solid foundation for deeper professional collaboration and international cooperation among INSEE Vietnam, SACA, and the Swiss Association for Circular Construction Materials. These efforts are expected to contribute to the research and application of recycling solutions suited to Vietnam’s practical conditions, transforming waste into valuable resources and moving the construction industry towards a more circular and sustainable future.
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