Full Story: The Journey of Buyo – Pioneering Bioplastics from Vietnam
Buyo, founded in 2022, is a next-generation Vietnamese startup that’s making waves globally by turning organic waste into high-performance, fully biodegradable materials. From humble beginnings to becoming a key innovator in sustainable manufacturing, Buyo is redefining the future of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.
A Sustainable Vision Born in Vietnam
Buyo was established with a clear mission: to combat plastic pollution by offering a scalable, sustainable solution derived from agricultural and food waste. At the core of Buyo’s technology is brewers’ spent grain—a byproduct from the beer industry—which is transformed into biodegradable products such as packaging materials, films, cutlery, pallets, and bottle caps.
Unlike traditional bioplastics that often rely on starches or corn, Buyo utilizes waste streams that would otherwise be discarded, making their process significantly more sustainable and resource-efficient.
Innovation through Biotechnology
What sets Buyo Bioplastics apart is its use of proprietary fermentation technology. By leveraging the residual nutrients in food industry byproducts, Buyo cultivates bacteria capable of producing biopolymers—entirely biodegradable without blending. This cutting-edge method opens the door to high-tech applications, including medical-grade bioplastics, marking a major step forward in circular bioeconomy innovation.
Recognition and Global Expansion
Buyo quickly rose to prominence after winning the National Innovation Technopreneur Contest at TECHFEST Vietnam 2023. This achievement propelled the company onto the international stage, where it represented Vietnam at prestigious startup competitions in:
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South Korea
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The United States
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Australia
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Singapore
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Europe
These global appearances not only elevated Buyo’s brand visibility but also validated its innovative solution as a key contributor to the global green transition.
Scaling Up for the Future
In response to rising demand for biodegradable materials amid increasing global restrictions on single-use plastics, Buyo is set to expand its production capacity tenfold in 2024. A new manufacturing facility in Ho Chi Minh City will enable mass production while maintaining environmental integrity.
In parallel, Buyo is actively developing distribution networks in the U.S. and Europe, targeting industries such as sustainable packaging, food services, and healthcare.
Funding and Strategic Growth
Despite being a young enterprise, Buyo has successfully raised $750,000 in early investment to develop its core technology and scale operations. The startup is currently preparing for its Series A fundraising round, which will further boost global outreach and R&D capabilities.
Buyo’s story exemplifies Vietnam’s growing role in the global green economy. With a firm focus on innovation, sustainability, and scalability, Buyo is not just creating products—it’s leading a materials revolution.
