- At the begining, the company applied the traditional methodology
- Used Diezel when processing the ingredients
- Used chemicals like H2O, Silicat, Clo to whiten the materials
- No technology nor modern machines to produce bamboo products

Now the company is approaching a new technology from the Cleaner Production Unit (Ministry of Industry and Trade) that Denmark has sponsored since 2008: waste disposal system, thermal boiling of bamboo, drying materials and products, minimizing the use of chemicals up to 70-80%, producing environmentally friendly products.

2. How do you know about cleaner producing technology and why did you decide to apply this technology?

- Our company has approached this cleaner producing technology through WWF project, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and local goverment agencies.

- Applying this technology brings up many benefits: reducing the use of chemicals, coals therefore decreasing the costs of production and not harming the environment, making profits for the company

3. Since applying this cleaner technology, would you mind sharing with us what changes or effects your company has achieved?

- Reducing the use of chemicals, disposing waste makes many benefits for our company. If our company uses this technology early, the profits can be very huge.
- The expenses of production reduce. Therefore, the productivity has improved and the income of the workers has increased from 70% to 90% as well.

4. Does cleaner producing help you find new customers/markets?

- Joining cleaner production program, the company feels safe that our waste has been well disposed before being released into the community. With the support of WWF, our company had the chance to join handicrafts exhibitions in Spoga (German) and France, visit bamboo and ingredients making companies in Lao, and receive many other supports for the design of productions and application of clean technology. Therefore, more potential partners know about our company. Now our company has approached 3 or 4 new customers.

5. As I know, you have joined in producing and exporting bamboo for a long time, so what do you think is the biggest challenge that you are and will have to be facing with?

- The biggest challenge is the inputs. The sources of bamboo and powder are being exploited unsystematically

6. I have heard that WWF Sustainable Rattan programme has built up the garden for local people in Nam Giang, Quang Nam province. And you said that you were planning to buy some plants from that garden for this coming season. Would you mind sharing with us more about your plan of developing ingredients area?

- Au Co has worked with local governments. In 2011, we will grow about 60ha of rattan in Nui Thanh. Our available plants now are only about 70% of needed plants. The 30% remaining, we will buy from WWF Sustainable Rattan Programme to catch the upcoming crop..

7. To integrate into international market, what support and help Au Co has received from EC, WWF, and VNCPC?

- We have been guided, provided with training course and technical information while the local people better know about rattan CoC values. We expect to receive more support from WWF about FSC. Our company hopes that WWF Sustainable Rattan Programme will further invest to increase the awareness and quality of life for local people.