Sustainable packaging solutions on the rise alongside the expansion of Vietnam's food and beverage industry
Vietnam's Food and Beverage Industry Embraces Sustainable Packaging
The food and beverage (F&B) sector in Vietnam is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainable packaging solutions, driven by growing consumer demand, regulatory pressure, and proactive business initiatives.
Industry expert Hoa Nguyen predicts that the demand for sustainable solutions will continue to grow in Vietnam's F&B sector [1]. This trend is evident in the efforts of prominent companies like Vinamilk, which aims to cut shrink wrap use for product pallets by half and has eliminated plastic bags in all Giac mo sua Viet stores. Vinamilk's paper packaging is fully recyclable and FSC-certified [2].
Consumer demand is not just limited to Vietnam. Across Southeast Asia, customers are actively seeking innovation in products and packaging that delivers convenience, supports health, and meets environmental standards [3]. Nestlé Vietnam, for instance, has committed to making over 95% of their packaging recyclable by 2025, reducing virgin plastic use, and improving collection and recycling systems [3].
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation, effective since early 2024, mandates producers and importers to manage the lifecycle of their packaging, including waste collection and recycling. This regulation is driving industry-wide adoption of circular economy principles [3]. Vietnamese exporters are increasingly supplying eco-designed, recyclable packaging to meet global market demands, especially products made from paper, bamboo, wood, and other biodegradable materials [1].
Major packaging manufacturers, such as Tetra Pak, are innovating with advanced, eco-friendly packaging solutions. Tetra Pak’s local factory utilizes cutting-edge technology to produce packaging with fewer layers of plastic and aluminum, supporting the sustainability trend and addressing consumer expectations for recyclable and plant-based product packaging [2].
Future trends in Vietnam’s F&B packaging include greater emphasis on eco-friendly materials such as biodegradable and renewable sources, enhanced recyclability and circular economy integration driven by EPR policies, technology-driven packaging innovation, and growing global demand for sustainable Vietnamese packaging products, expanding export opportunities [1][2][3][5].
Collaboration across the supply chain will be crucial in mobilizing investment in sustainable packaging and recycling infrastructure [1]. Vietnam's F&B industry is expected to hit $96.7 billion by the end of 2025 [4]. The Asia-Pacific food and beverages market is projected to reach $900 billion by 2028 [5].
Tetra Pak Vietnam has expanded its Binh Duong facility, investing €97 million. The expanded facility offers more carton formats tailored to Southeast Asian consumers, with 15 new options creating thousands of packaging combinations [6]. Adolfo Orive, president and CEO of Tetra Pak, emphasized the investment in new technologies to ensure every package meets the highest quality standards [7].
Vietnam is behind Malaysia and Thailand in the race for green credit, but there is still an opportunity for businesses with clear environmental strategies and strong ESG records [8]. Consumers today demand more convenience, nutrition, food safety, sustainability, and products that fit their lifestyles [9]. The first year of implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Vietnam is in 2024 [10].
In summary, Vietnam's F&B industry is at a pivotal stage where eco-friendly packaging solutions are becoming a commercial necessity, supported by consumer preferences, regulatory frameworks, and technological advancements. This trajectory is expected to continue, with sustainability and circular economy principles deeply embedded in future packaging practices.
References:
- Vietnam Plus
- Tetra Pak
- Nestlé Vietnam
- Statista
- MarketsandMarkets
- Tetra Pak
- Tetra Pak
- Asia Asset Management
- FoodNavigator-Asia
- Vietnam News
- The trend of sustainability in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, not limited to Vietnam, also extends to environmental science, as consumers increasingly demand products that support health, meet environmental standards, and are innovative.
- Businesses, such as Vinamilk and Nestlé Vietnam, are focusing on sustainable living by reducing plastic usage, producing recyclable packaging, and improving collection and recycling systems, which aligns with the principles of a circular economy.
- The climate-change issue extends to the F&B industry as well, with families and households prioritizing home-and-garden products and food-and-drink items made from eco-friendly, biodegradable, and renewable materials.
- To compete in the global market, Vietnamese industry must adapt to sustainable-living trends, integrating technology-driven packaging innovations and partnering with packaging manufacturers like Tetra Pak, known for producing advanced, eco-friendly solutions.
- With the growing demand for sustainable F&B packaging and an ever-increasing focus on environmental issues in the Asia-Pacific region, finance will play a critical role in mobilizing investment for sustainable packaging and recycling infrastructure, ensuring the future prosperity of this burgeoning industry.
