AN Edenfield-based company is helping Vietnam harness its "green" credentials.

And AF-QPS Ltd is also helping the country achieve its waste paper recycling targets with the installation of Vietnam's first de-inking plant.

Ten staff from the Bury Road-based firm travelled the 6,500 miles to Vietnam over a six-months period to assist in the setting up of the de-inking plant, located in the Tan Mai Paper Company based in the southern province of Dong Nai.

The £6 million plant was designed and built by AF-QPS Ltd, backed by insurance from the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD).

The ECGD benefits the UK economy by helping exporters win overseas business by insuring against non-payment.

AF-QPS Ltd is a small to medium enterprise, employing 30 people in Edenfield, and is part of the international AF Group.

The design of the plant was carried out in AF-QPS Ltd's Edenfield office, using a 3D system which allowed engineers and clients to review the design before foundations were laid, thereby reducing construction time on-site.

The plant signifies a major step forward for Vietnam in its management of waste material since launching a national scheme for recycling.

The project has seen more than 20 jobs created in Vietnam.

AF-QPS Ltd sourced the majority of the parts from the UK market place and trained the local workforce.

Mr David Yates, project manager for AF-QPS Ltd, which has been in Edenfield for 13 years, said: "ECGD's support has been vital to the success of this project which has enabled a high transfer of technology from the UK to Vietnam.

"The de-inking plant in the Tan Mai Paper Company is the first of its kind in Vietnam."