200 scientists share biotechnology and energy trends

The 13th Green Chemistry Workshop (GCW 2026) is organized by the Vietnam Chemical Society in collaboration with the Korean Association of Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Phenikaa University. This is the largest scale conference of the GCW series to date.

In the context of many countries promoting the green transition, GCW 2026 focuses on discussing research directions in green chemistry associated with energy, environment and sustainable production. With the theme “Innovative Biotechnology and Energy Science”, the conference updates new research trends in green chemistry, and discusses the combination of chemical engineering and biotechnology.

The organizing committee and scientists submitted more than 120 reports to the conference. Among these, 12 typical scientific reports were selected to be presented at the thematic sessions. The content discussed at GCW 2026 revolves around many topics such as circular economy; energy conversion and storage solutions; materials and electrochemical technology; green energy production from agricultural by-products; New approaches in biotechnology for energy and the environment.

In which, Professor Lee Sang-Young, Yonsei University (Korea) shared about a new method, redesigning the polymer electrolyte based on polyethylene oxide (PEO) to develop more efficient solid-state batteries.

Professor Huynh Trung Hai, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, talked about the circular economy approach to end-of-life management of solar panels for Vietnam. Currently, solar panels in Vietnam are widely used and developing rapidly. Currently, the installed capacity is 19,400 MW, electricity output is 10.6 billion kWh, accounting for 15% of the total national electricity output.

According to Professor Hai, the rapid development of solar energy worldwide leads to a new source of waste in the future. The number of discarded solar panels is expected to increase rapidly each year, not only in Vietnam but worldwide. But “expired solar panels are not hazardous waste,” he said, adding that it is necessary to soon come up with policy and technology solutions to manage expired solar panels in the direction of a circular economy.

In addition to academic sessions, the conference also organized laboratory tours, creating conditions for Vietnamese and Korean research groups to learn about research capacity and cooperation possibilities.

Dr. Do Duy Phi, President of the Vietnam Chemical Association, evaluated the conference as a forum connecting research ideas with the practical needs of the green transition, while promoting cooperation between research groups of the two countries.

Representing the Korean side, Professor U Hyeok Choi, Head of KSIEC’s International Cooperation Department, assessed energy and environmental challenges that require cross-border and interdisciplinary scientific cooperation, in which GCW is an important exchange platform.

According to the Organizing Committee, GCW 2026 is expected to contribute to strengthening scientific cooperation between Vietnam and Korea and promoting research and application of green chemistry solutions for sustainable development.