Dust and smoke from a wood-pellet factory in central Vietnam are troubling nearby residents, and there are concerns that the effects could extend to major customers, including trading companies in Japan and South Korea. The factory operates almost 24 hours a day, and cases have been reported in which wood chips and dust entered nearby homes.
A factory operated by ACE, a producer of wood pellets in Vietnam, is facing a dust problem that is worsening living conditions for nearby residents. Photographs reportedly show interiors covered in wood chips, with severe air pollution attributed to the temperature difference between the outdoor and indoor air. Residents say that dust enters even when doors are closed, making daily cleaning necessary.
The factory is owned by Tinh Nhan and is said to supply products to the Japanese and South Korean markets as a subsidiary of Ayo Biomass, one of Vietnam's leading wood-pellet producers. Japanese trading companies and energy-related companies are named among its customers, suggesting a possible connection with developments in the global biomass industry.
The Japanese and South Korean markets are said to account for approximately 95% of Vietnam's wood-pellet exports, while the article also refers to the involvement of major companies such as Enviva and Drax. These companies are discussed in connection with regulations on the prevention of air pollution.
Residents living near the factory have reported sleep disturbances and concerns about respiratory health, and the possibility that medical services could also be affected has been raised.
The issue appears to be rooted in rising demand for wood pellets and the operating realities of the supply chains that support it. However, the article limits itself to the details currently known and leaves the matter awaiting further reports.