Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED)

What Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED) does

The Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED), legally Viện Nghiên cứu Phát triển Kinh tế tuần hoàn, is a research institute established in 2021 under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (ĐHQG-HCM). It is positioned as a government-affiliated entity that delivers science, technology, innovation, and policy solutions to advance circular-economy adoption in Vietnam and to bridge Vietnamese practitioners with global circular-economy networks.

ICED's core offerings are organized around four service areas: (1) Agriculture & Forestry / Bioeconomy, including closed-loop farming models such as HG FARM's integrated system; (2) Urban Areas & Industrial Zones, focused on waste management and resource efficiency; (3) Islands & Coastal Cities, addressing marine pollution and coastal sustainability; and (4) Emerging Areas covering plastic waste, renewable energy, and electronic waste. It also runs applied research projects such as the Net-Zero Circular Economy Laboratory (Component 5: smart agriculture, plastic pollution monitoring, sustainable development) and co-organizes programs like the HCMUT-Dow Design for Circularity Challenge. A flagship contribution is its role as a key partner in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Global Circularity Protocol for Business, alongside IGES, UNEP One Planet Network, and Chulalongkorn University.

ICED monetizes through commissioned research, policy consulting for government agencies, and technical advisory for businesses, in addition to multilateral program partnerships such as the USAID-funded Plastics and Health Action Partnership and the ASEAN APASTI 2026-2035 consortium led by Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy. Its go-to-market is event-driven, relying on workshops, scientific conferences, publications, and direct engagement with government, business, academic, and community stakeholders. The institute is directed by Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Hong Quan and advised by Dr. Philipp Rösler, former Vice-Chancellor of Germany and former CEO of the World Economic Forum.

Name

Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED)

Legal name

Viện Nghiên cứu Phát triển Kinh tế tuần hoàn

Website

https://iced.org.vn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED) is a Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City research institute delivering circular-economy consulting, policy advisory, and applied research on bioeconomy, urban-industrial waste, coastal cities, plastic pollution, and renewable energy to Vietnamese governments, businesses, and multilateral partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Research and Consulting

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

Keywords

• Circular economy research
• Sustainability consulting
• Policy advisory services
• Environmental research
• Waste management consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Ho Chi Minh City

HQ country

Vietnam

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research Projects and Consulting Services: ICED generates revenue through commissioned research projects, policy consulting engagements with government agencies, and technical advisory services for businesses and organizations seeking circular economy transition support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED) is a research institute under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) that provides science, technology, innovation, and policy solutions for circular economy development in Vietnam. The institute conducts applied research, delivers consulting and policy advisory services, and partners with international bodies such as WBCSD on the Global Circularity Protocol (GCP) framework. Its work targets government agencies, businesses, and academic institutions seeking evidence-based guidance on circular economy transition.

Product overview

The Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED) is a research institute under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) that provides circular economy solutions across four core service areas: (1) Agriculture & Forestry (Bioeconomy), (2) Urban Areas & Industrial Zones, (3) Islands & Coastal Cities, and (4) Emerging Areas (plastic waste, renewable energy, electronic waste). ICED also conducts specific research projects such as the Net-Zero Circular Economy Laboratory focused on smart agriculture, plastic pollution monitoring, and sustainable development. The institute offers policy development, research, training, and consulting services rather than a traditional software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Circular Economy Research

Quantifiable outcome

• Contributes to 9 of 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals through circular economy applications
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025ICED has officially become a key partner of WBCSD in developing the Global Circularity Protocol for Business (GCP), an initiative led by WBCSD. Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Hong Quan serves as a member of the GCP Policy Advisory Committee since 2024. The partnership focuses on helping companies measure, manage, and improve circularity performance across value chains.
• Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGES is collaborating with ICED and WBCSD on the GCP pilot project to bring the Global Circularity Protocol into practice in the Asia region.
• Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChulalongkorn University is collaborating with ICED on the GCP pilot project to test and implement the Global Circularity Protocol in the Asia-Pacific region.
• UNEP One Planet NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNEP One Planet Network co-leads the Global Circularity Protocol with WBCSD, positioning ICED as a key partner in this international initiative.
• IfM Engage, Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy, University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICED collaborated with Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (lead), IfM Engage, and University of Cambridge to develop the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026-2035.
• Cambridge Industrial Innovation PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambridge Industrial Innovation Policy leads the consortium selected by ASEAN Secretariat to implement the APASTI 2026-2035 development project.
• Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDRI is a consortium partner in the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026-2035 development project.
• Thammasat Business School (TBS), ThailandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBS is a consortium partner in the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026-2035 development project.
• Vipri (Vietnam Institute of Strategic Development)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVipri is a strategic partner of ICED, collaborating on strategic development initiatives.
• HIDS (Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Development Studies)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIDS is a strategic partner of ICED, supporting local development research and implementation.
• Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICED is established under VNU-HCM, providing institutional support and academic framework for circular economy research and development.
• Except Integrated Sustainability (Netherlands)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICED and Except Integrated Sustainability explored collaboration in circular economy and built environment. Except is a sustainability consultancy founded in 1999, working globally on projects raising the bar in sustainable development.
• CIEM (Central Institute of Economic Management)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICED and CIEM met to promote cooperation in circular economy. ICED contributed comments on the national Circular Economy Development Project led by MPI. Both parties agreed on future cooperation roadmap in enterprise training and macro policy development.
• HAN University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAN's Sustainable River Management research group collaborates with ICED on a plastic study project funded by Taskforce for Applied Research SIA, converting waste plastics into plastic sticks in both Netherlands and Vietnam.
• Plastic Fantastic (PF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlastic Fantastic collaborates with ICED on converting waste plastics into new products, contributing to circular economy solutions.
• Go Clean de Liemers (GCL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGo Clean de Liemers collaborates with ICED on plastic waste conversion projects, participating in the international circular economy consortium.
• Plastics and Health Action Partnership (PHA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICED is a member of PHA, established under USAID's Local Solutions for Plastic Pollution project. ICED contributes to advocacy on plastic waste and health, database building, communication activities, and pilot models to reduce plastic pollution.
• PRO Vietnam (Packaging Recycling Organization Vietnam)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPRO Vietnam is a strategic partner working on packaging recycling and circular economy solutions in Vietnam.
• World Energy Council Vietnam (WEC-VN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICED and WEC-VN jointly published the World Energy Issues Monitor 2021: Vietnam, marking Vietnam's first official document as a member of the World Energy Council.
• WBCSD (Global Circularity Protocol)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICED serves as a key partner in the Global Circularity Protocol development alongside WBCSD and international organizations, contributing scientific expertise and policy analysis for emerging economies.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• SYSTEMIQ: Global systems-change advisory firm focused on circular economy, climate, and nature-based solutions; provides research, consulting, and convening services comparable to ICED but operating from a private commercial structure.

Direct peers

• Circle Economy: Amsterdam-based impact organization that produces research, data tools (e.g., Circularity Gap Report), and policy advice on circular economy transitions. Highly comparable to ICED in operating model (knowledge/research org) and in providing circular economy measurement frameworks and policy advisory.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: UK-based charitable foundation leading global circular economy thought leadership, research publications, and business engagement. Comparable to ICED as a non-commercial circular economy research and convening organization with international reach.
• Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES): Japan-based policy research institute generating evidence-based research and policy recommendations on sustainable development and circular economy in the Asia-Pacific. Direct GCP co-pilot with ICED and a structurally similar research/policy advisory institute.

Broad incumbents

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): Global CEO-led organization of ~200+ sustainable businesses that develops corporate sustainability frameworks, including the Global Circularity Protocol in which ICED is a partner. Functions as both peer (in circular economy framework development) and strategic partner to ICED.
• UNEP One Planet Network: UNEP-hosted multi-stakeholder network coordinating the Global Circularity Protocol alongside WBCSD. Functions as a peer in shaping global circular economy policy frameworks while also being a strategic partner to ICED.
• Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership: University of Cambridge-affiliated institute that convenes business and policy leaders on sustainability and circular economy research. Comparable to ICED as an academic-anchored sustainability research institute with policy influence.

Regional players

• Chulalongkorn University Circular Economy Research Group: Thailand-based academic research group that co-pilots the GCP pilot in Asia with ICED; comparable as a national university circular economy research node in the region, operating in a different geography (Thailand vs. Vietnam).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-circular-economy-development

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED)