Leyla Nguyen

Vietnamese entrepreneur transforming ocean plastic into sustainable materials

Leyla Nguyen is a Vietnamese environmental innovator whose company Ocean Revive has diverted over 10 million kilograms of ocean plastic since its 2020 launch. Born in Ho Chi Minh City in 1989, Nguyen combined her chemical engineering background with marine conservation passion to create a circular economy model for plastic waste.

In 2021, Nguyen pioneered a patented process converting ocean plastics into durable construction materials like PlasticBrick. These interlocking blocks require no cement and are 30% stronger than traditional bricks. By 2024, they've been used in over 500 coastal housing projects across Southeast Asia, winning the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Circular Design Challenge.

Her 2022 initiative Plastic-to-Power developed biodegradable fuel cells using recycled ocean plastics. This technology powers floating desalination plants in the Mekong Delta, providing clean water to 200,000+ residents annually. Nguyen's work was highlighted in National Geographic's 2023 Environmental Solutions Report.

Nguyen advocates for community engagement through her Plastic Patrol program, training 10,000+ fishermen in plastic collection and recycling. Her partnership with Nike created the Ocean Revive Collection—shoes made from 100% recovered ocean plastics—selling 500,000 units globally by 2024. This initiative funded Vietnam's first marine plastic education curriculum in 150 schools.