BUYO – ASSIST

Investing in Impact

P4G has awarded the partnership about US $330,700 in grant funding. 

Vietnam faces significant food waste and environmental pollution due to improper waste management. In 2018, plastic use in Vietnam reached 54 kg per person, with 72% of waste being single-use plastics. 

BUYO addresses this challenge by transforming food waste into valuable, biodegradable materials, filling a gap in the market for more sustainable bioplastics. For every ton of product, 0.5 tons of biowaste is upcycled, leading to a 70% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional plastics. BUYO’s bioplastics are fully biodegradable within a year, unlike many alternatives that require industrial composting or pose risks to food security. The startup utilizes innovative technologies like renewable energy and IoT for energy optimization, ensuring sustainability in its production process. 

BUYO upcycles discarded bio-waste, such as brewery spent grains, into biodegradable, 100% nature-based bioplastics using proprietary technology. This process conserves resources, prevents food loss, and has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics. With a factory in Ho Chi Minh City and plans to scale production, BUYO aims to address Vietnam's rising plastic consumption and food waste challenges. 

During the P4G funding period, BUYO will enhance its proprietary technology to convert bio-waste into bioplastics with improved quality and performance. The partnership will support product development to meet the needs of high-demand industries like food packaging, medical applications and industrial use. 

Additionally, the partnership will promote BUYO’s products through mass awareness campaigns, industry collaborations, and participation in sustainability-focused initiatives. The partnership will help BUYO strengthen its presence in key markets, including North America, Europe and Asia. This includes securing new buyers, testing certification and forming strategic partnerships with major brands and distributors. 

BUYO aims to increase its manufacturing capacity from 10 tons per month to 100 tons per month by the end of 2025. By the end of the funding period, the BUYO – ASSIST partnership aims to validate the commercial viability of bioplastics and raise US $1.5 million in commercial investment. 

The partnership comprises the following partners: BUYO (lead business partner); ASSIST (lead administrative partner).