HANOI – Following the strategic orientation of “Focused – Substantive – Project-based” international cooperation, on January 27, 2026, NACENTECH held a working session with delegation of experts from Waseda University and Hamada Co., Ltd (Japan). The meeting focused on establishing a collaborative model for Research, Development, and Pilot Implementation of solar panel recycling systems-addressing Vietnam’s pressing environmental challenge.
NACENTECH representative introducing the institute
Meeting Urgent Environmental and Sustainable Development Demands
The Government of Vietnam currently places top priority on environmental protection integrated with green growth. Alongside the rapid expansion of renewable energy projects, the end-of-life treatment and recycling of clean energy equipment (solar panels, EV batteries) have become a cornerstone of the national Circular Economy and Sustainable Development strategy.
NACENTECH’s proactive engagement with leading Japanese partners aims not only to address the “pain points” of high-tech waste management but also to realize the goal of localizing recycling technologies, reducing import dependency, and ensuring national environmental security.
Japanese representative presenting the cooperation proposal
World-Class Expertise from Japanese Partners
Waseda University: A Pillar of Academic Excellence
Founded in 1882, Waseda is one of Japan’s oldest and most prestigious private universities. Consistently ranked among the top 3 private universities in Japan and the top 200 globally (QS World University Rankings), Waseda holds a formidable reputation in engineering.
Notably, Professor Chiharu Tokoro at Waseda is a leading authority in recycling technology. Her research group successfully developed the “Single Electrical Pulse” method, which separates anode materials from Lithium-ion batteries without damaging the chemical structure. This allows for the highly efficient extraction of precious metals like nickel and cobalt.
Hamada Co., Ltd: A Pioneer in Industrial Recycling
Based in Osaka and established in 1973, Hamada is a veteran leader in industrial waste management and metal recycling. They are recognized as a pioneer in Japan for building comprehensive collection and treatment systems for decommissioned solar panels. In 2023, Hamada partnered with Marubeni Corporation to establish Rexia, aimed at realizing a large-scale solar panel recycling network.
Hamada owns the proprietary “Hot Knife Separation Method.” This technology allows for the intact separation of glass sheets from photovoltaic cells at temperatures around 300°C. This clean separation facilitates the recovery of high-purity glass and metals, transforming waste into high-quality raw materials for manufacturing rather than merely crushing them into low-value mixtures.
NACENTECH as the Orchestrator of the Innovation Ecosystem
In alignment with the directive of Director Pham Hong Quat to shift from broad-based cooperation to deep, output-oriented projects, NACENTECH identifies its central role as a bridge for connection and co-implementation.
This bilateral cooperation follows a strategic value chain: “Partner Connection – Establishing Frameworks – Project Development – Joint Implementation”. The Japanese delegations highly value NACENTECH’s laboratory network and expert capacity, viewing it as a solid foundation for deploying pilot project before scaling up to industrial levels.
Both sides exchanging commemorative gifts at the conclusion of the meeting
Towards a Green Future
Concluding the session, the Director of NACENTECH emphasized: “Instead of starting from existing technology, we start from the practical demands of the market and the nation to seek back-end solutions.” The partnership with Waseda University and Hamada Co., Ltd in the recycling industry directly contributes to Vietnam’s Net Zero commitments and positions the country as a vital link in the global green value chain.
Photos from the meeting:
References:
Battery Recycling Research at Waseda University
Waseda University QS World Rankings
Introduction to Hamada’s Hot Knife Separation Technology
Marubeni and Hamada Strategic Partnership (Rexia)
Source: National Academy for Advanced Technology and Innovation (NACENTECH)
