Geo firms eyeing Vietnam market

Intrigued by Vietnam’s planned emphasis on infrastructure development, foreign geotechnical firms are seeking support roles in the many potential projects on Vietnam’s horizon.

Geonia, a South Korea woven geotextiles manufacturing firm, is expecting a surge in demand for this product.

“Vietnam’s government is boosting the construction of infrastructure nationwide, which is generating high demand for our products,” said Lim Nam Chul, chief representative for Geonia in Vietnam. For example, the company’s geotextiles are instrumental in strengthening infrastructure development such as roadway projects, she said.

Reports cited about 50 foreign firms attended “Geotechnics for sustainable infrastructure development” meeting in Hanoi in November. At the event, organized by Fecon Corp., a local leader in foundation engineering and underground construction, these companies sought to form partnerships, establish joint ventures, and sell products.

Nana Chen, sales manager at Taiwan-based Ace Geosynthetics, said her firm may establish partnerships with an additional five parties in Vietnam by the end of the year. Currently, Ace has 13 partners. Chen noted that Ace is also looking into building a geogrids/geotextiles factory in Vietnam.

Sources: Fecon & VIR