Vietnam and US-based R3 Lithium explore cooperation in battery technology, critical minerals and recycling, as Hanoi seeks technology-led investment and stronger integration into global supply chains.
Vietnam is seeking to deepen cooperation with US-based R3 Lithium ion battery technology, critical minerals and recycling as the country works to attract technology-intensive investment and strengthen its position in global supply chains. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang discusses the opportunities during a meeting with R3 Lithium Chairman and CEO Linh Austin in Hanoi on September 21.
Thang highlights Vietnam’s market of more than 100 million people and growing demand for transport electrification as factors supporting projects in batteries and new materials. He says Vietnam considers the United States a strategically important partner and seeks to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through more substantive cooperation with US businesses.
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Vietnam is pursuing a development model that places science and technology, innovation and digital transformation at the centre of economic growth. The government is also prioritising deep processing, modern technology applications and environmental protection while seeking greater integration into global technology supply chains.
Against this backdrop, Hanoi is working to create favourable conditions for foreign companies, including R3 Lithium, to invest and operate in the country. The government is seeking investment that contributes not only capital but also research and development, technology transfer, skilled workforce development and stronger capabilities among domestic businesses.
Austin welcomes Vietnam’s increasingly open investment policies and points to the rapid development of transport electrification and the rising number of electric vehicles in the country. He also recognises the potential for Vietnamese companies to collaborate with R3 Lithium in areas where the US Company has expertise.
R3 Lithium expresses particular interest in supporting Vietnam’s green transition. The company explores cooperation with Vietnamese partners in battery technology, battery recycling and critical-mineral processing, aligning its interests with Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
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The company also seeks to establish more than a conventional supply chain in Vietnam. Its proposed approach includes developing an ecosystem focused on the recycling and reuse of batteries and critical minerals, potentially linking resource processing, manufacturing and circular-economy activities.
The discussions reflect Vietnam’s broader effort to attract high-value foreign investment while strengthening domestic technological capabilities. For R3 Lithium, Vietnam provides an expanding market for electrification-related technologies and a potential base for developing partnerships around batteries, recycling and critical minerals.