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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Associated Press or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Lego (See sustainability performance) has inaugurated a $1 billion toy factory in Binh Duong, Vietnam, designed to operate entirely on clean energy by 2026
• The facility—the first of its kind in Vietnam—will serve fast-growing Southeast Asian markets and marks a key step in Lego’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050
🔭 The context: This is Lego's sixth global factory and second in Asia. Vietnam, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for sustainable manufacturing
• The factory spans the size of 62 soccer fields and is supported by 12,400 solar panels and an adjacent energy storage facility
• It will also benefit from Vietnam’s new Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA), allowing companies to directly source renewable energy
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Lego’s investment sets a precedent for large-scale clean manufacturing in a country still reliant on coal
• Its transition efforts, including replacing plastic packaging with paper and planting double the number of trees cleared for construction, highlight how corporations can align growth with climate goals
• However, scaling sustainable material alternatives for its iconic bricks remains a significant challenge
⏭️ What's next: By early 2026, the factory aims to be fully powered by clean energy, with the remaining 10–20% sourced through green energy contracts. Lego plans to open a nearby distribution hub to expand access across Asia and Australia
• As the company ramps up production, its progress will test whether profitability can be maintained alongside deep decarbonization in a developing market context
💬 One quote: “Sometimes it takes a big company, like Lego, to take those risks. To show that we can do it … and we can be profitable,” — Mimi Vu, Raise Partners, Ho Chi Minh City
📈 One stat: Manufacturing accounts for 20% of Vietnam’s GDP and consumes 50% of the country’s total energy usage
See here detailed sustainability performance of companies like Lego, Mattel, and Hasbro
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