Turning plastic waste into new resources
PCIC 2026 seeks and supports initiatives that unlock bottlenecks in Vietnam’s plastics circularity value chain — from idea to real-world piloting, commercialization and scale-up.
What the Challenge aims for
Raise awareness
Of the urgency of reducing and treating plastic waste in Vietnam, especially flexible plastic packaging.
Discover & honor
Innovative initiatives with the potential to advance plastics circularity and the green transition in Vietnam.
Drive the twin transition
Apply innovation and technology to improve plastic waste management, collection and treatment.
Connect & invest
Bring collection, sorting and recycling solutions to businesses, experts and investment resources.
What you gain by joining
PCIC 2026 goes beyond recognition and awards — we accompany solution teams from pilot deployment to scale-up.
Capacity building & mentoring
Solution reviews from experts, technical teams, large corporations and investors to refine your model.
Attractive prizes
Total prize value in cash and in kind of up to VND 600 million.
Pilot & scale
Outstanding solutions get the opportunity to pilot with leading pioneer corporations.
Access to commercial & investment partners
Through media visibility and direct connections (B2B Matching).
Post-challenge support
Continued connections for testing, commercialization and market expansion.
6 months, 4 stages
Launch & Screening
Applications open, webinars, submission intake, screening and Top 30 announcement.
Capacity building & interviews
In-depth training and mentoring. Interviews & Top 15 announcement.
Final & awards
Solution showcase & pitching before the Jury. Top 5 announcement & awards.
Commercial & investment matching
Outstanding teams are connected with strategic partners.
6 solution groups we are looking for
Solutions must be applicable in Vietnam, commercially viable and scalable.
Flexible plastic packaging
& alternative materials
Collection & sorting
Reuse & recycling
Circular
business models
Digital technology & data traceability
EPR implementation support
Extended Producer Responsibility — aligned with Vietnam’s legal framework
PCIC 2026 welcomes solution teams from
Start-ups
Technology & innovation start-ups
SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises
Corporate R&D
Spin-off teams or research & development departments
Institutes – Universities – Centers
Research groups or young talent teams
Domestic & international organizations
Industry and social organizations with solutions ready for commercialization in Vietnam
* International teams must have at least one core member (CEO, founder or co-founder) of Vietnamese nationality.
3 pillars, 8 criteria, 100-point scale
Input resources 15%
Team capability
Relevant expertise, operational capacity, founders’ reputation and commitment.
Commercial potential 40%
Creativity and innovation
New solution, technology or business model.
Readiness for the Vietnamese market
Designed for and testable in Vietnam.
Cost efficiency at scale
Scalability
Growth that does not scale linearly with resources.
Impact & sustainability 45%
Impact on the plastics circular economy
Collection, recycling, treatment or circular packaging — quantifiable results preferred.
Sustainability & long-term impact
Environmental and social — quantifiable results preferred.
EPR implementation support
Alignment with Vietnam’s Extended Producer Responsibility legal framework.
Solutions with quantifiable results, compatible with the circular-economy M&E / MRV indicator set being developed by state regulators, are encouraged.
What to know
before you apply
+How to apply & eligibility
- Submit via the official registration channel before the deadline.
- Complete all required fields with accurate contact details of the representative.
- The Organizing Committee may request additional information or verification.
+Selection process
- Screening → Top 30.
- Capacity building & interviews → Top 15.
- Final & pitching → Top 5 winners.
+Team commitments
- Attend all mandatory activities; submit assignments and documents on time.
- Assign suitable members to capacity-building activities, technical assessments, interviews and solution presentations.
- If unable to continue, notify the Organizing Committee early via the official channel.
+Team benefits
- Expert mentoring, technical assessment and solution reviews when selected for later rounds.
- Support in connecting with partners for piloting, commercialization or becoming a supplier.
- Media benefits: logo and brand displayed on the Challenge’s official channels (website, Facebook fanpage), solution featured via email marketing.
- Opportunity to win valuable prizes (cash and in kind) when selected for the Final.
- Access to the network of businesses, B2B customers, investment funds and experts of the InnoEx International Innovation Alliance.
+Intellectual property & confidentiality
- Please refer to the Challenge’s Intellectual Property & Confidentiality Terms.
+Data, images & communications
- The Organizing Committee may use team names, logos, images and brands for PCIC 2026 organization, communications and reporting purposes without altering or misrepresenting the nature of the solution.
+General terms
- The Organizing Committee may adjust timing, format or content and will announce changes via official channels.
- Applications with inaccurate information or serious rule violations may have their results and related benefits revoked.
- Selection results are based on the expert panel’s evaluation and the Organizing Committee’s confirmation; all questions about the process should be sent via the official channel.
- Official contact email: pcic@plasticsinnovation.com.vn
Turn your
plastics circularity idea
into reality
Time left until the application deadline
Contact: pcic@plasticsinnovation.com.vn
Deadline 26 Oct 2026· — days left to apply for PCIC 2026