Ash and slag storage site of the DAP2 - Vinachem Joint Stock Company

Standard ash and slag are commodities

Vietnam is home to 32 coal-fired power plants, which all have been managing ash, slag and gypsum according to the approved plans. The volume and value of handled ash, slag and gypsum have increased year-on-year. In 2022 and 2023, a number of plants handled and sold 100 percent of their daily generated ash and slag, and some even sold part of their existing stockpile.

Most of the plants have had their ash and slag certified as standard materials for building materials production (according to QCVN 16:2023/BXD), filling materials (according to TCVN 12249:2018), and mineral additives for cement production (according to TCVN 6882:2016).

Despite the general positive outlook for ash and slag consumption, certain challenges remain, such as the low demand for ash and slag in some areas, the distance between coal-fired power plants and large-scale production or consumption sites, and the lack of local authorities’ approvals. Additionally, investors of some projects remain hesitant to use certified ash and slag as filling materials for construction sites.

Ash, slag and gypsum consumption promotion

To address those challenges, the Minister of Industry and Trade, on July 20, 2021, signed Decision 1818/QD-BCT on implementing the Prime Minister’s Directive 08/CT-TTg dated March 26, 2021 to promote the handling and use of ash, slag and gypsum from coal-fired power, chemical and fertilizer plants for construction projects, and as raw materials for building material production. This serves as a unified framework to increase ash and slag consumption and help plants overcome obstacles.

The Ministry has also collaborated with related agencies under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to classify coal-fired power plant ash and slag as general industrial waste, rather than hazardous waste.

It has worked with agencies from the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Science and Technology to develop standards and regulations on using power plant ash and slag for construction projects and as raw materials for building material production, providing a foundation for their certification as commercial products./.