Crushed Sand Struggles to Find Its Place – EPS Emerges as a Sustainable Solution for Construction

Crushed Sand – a Good Solution but Not Explosive

In the context of natural sand becoming increasingly scarce, crushed sand is considered one of the reasonable alternatives. In theory, this material has many advantages: proactive supply sources, competitive prices, and compliance with certain technical standards. Some major projects, such as the expansion of Dien Bien Phu Airport, have demonstrated its feasibility by completing ahead of schedule thanks to the use of crushed sand.

However, in practice in Vietnam, crushed sand still accounts for only 5–10% of infrastructure construction demand. The reasons lie in several barriers:

• Lack of uniform standards and norms: no consistent guidelines exist for all application categories.

• Contractors’ and investors’ cautious mindset: natural sand is still preferred due to its familiarity and perceived “safety.”

• Inconsistent quality: each manufacturing plant has different processes, leading to limited market confidence.

This has left crushed sand, despite being a good solution, still “struggling to find an outlet.”

EPS – a breakthrough from Japan to Vietnam

While crushed sand still faces many obstacles, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) – a solution introduced to Vietnam by Okasan Livic from Japan – is proving to be a superior choice in weak ground treatment and infrastructure construction.

EPS brings a range of clear advantages:
✅ Ultra-lightweight: only 1/100 the weight of conventional fill soil, significantly reducing the load on weak ground.
✅ Consistent & stable: industrially manufactured under strict quality control, independent of natural resource extraction.
✅ Fast construction: shortens project timelines by 30–50%, reducing labor and transportation costs.
✅ Environmentally friendly: reduces the need for sand and soil mining, limiting impacts on rivers and ecosystems.
✅ Versatile applications: expressways, airports, ports, new urban areas – wherever weak ground exists, EPS delivers efficiency.

EPS – a sustainable alternative

The story of crushed sand shows that: not every solution that is “good” in theory is easy to apply in practice. The market needs a material that ensures consistent quality, has a clear standard corridor, and brings immediate construction efficiency.

That is why EPS becomes an outstanding solution: not only overcoming the limitations of crushed sand, but also opening up a new direction for the construction industry - greener, faster, more sustainable.

Okasan Livic Vietnam – accompanying Vietnam's infrastructure

With experience from Japan and many developed countries, Okasan Livic Vietnam has been implementing EPS in various projects across Vietnam. We look forward to collaborating with:

• Investors and contractors who seek to apply innovative materials to enhance project quality and progress.

• Regulatory bodies & research institutes to develop standards and pave the way for the widespread application of EPS.

• Manufacturing & material supply partners to jointly build a sustainable construction ecosystem.

👉 EPS is not just a replacement for sand – it is redefining how we build the future.