The LEGO Group announced the grand opening of its sixth factory worldwide, LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam, described by the company as its “most environmentally sustainable factory to date,” with key features including plans to use 100% renewable energy, and LEGO’s first LEED Platinum certified buildings.

LEGO Group initially broke ground on the southern Vietnam-based factory in 2022, and has invested $1 billion in the 44-hectare site.

Niels B Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group, said:

“This state-of-the-art site reflects our commitment to sustainable growth and innovation, bringing more LEGO play experiences to children and our fans in the Asia-Pacific region through increased manufacturing capacity.”

Among the key sustainability features of the new factory highlighted by the company is a plan to run the facility on 100% renewable energy by early 2026, with the majority of the factory’s energy needs to be met through 12,400 rooftop solar panels, and through an agreement with Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) for an energy centre on adjacent land that utilizes rooftop solar panels and the largest to-date battery storage solution in Vietnam to supply energy when the sun isn’t shining. The factory’s remaining energy needs will be met through power purchase agreements.

The announcement follows the release of plans earlier this year by the LEGO Group to scale up its use of renewable energy, with an anticipated increase of 72% in solar capacity globally this year.

The new site houses five buildings, including two LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum and three gold certified buildings, with certifications based on energy, water and waste.

Additional sustainability features include being the company’s first factory to package LEGO bricks exclusively in paper-based bags, and a target to achieve zero waste to landfill.

Carsten Rasmussen, COO of the LEGO Group said:

“I am extremely proud of our environmental sustainability progress in Vietnam, strengthening our positive impact locally while supporting our global ambitions. The use of battery storage solutions and power purchase agreements to increase renewable energy is not just a first for the LEGO Group but among the first for any company in Vietnam.”