Packaging and Packing Industry: Green Growth or Falling Behind?
Vietnam’s packaging and packing industry is undergoing a crucial transformation as it faces increasing growth pressures and demands for sustainability. As consumer demand rises, businesses must navigate cost optimization, technological innovation, and environmental impact reduction. Failure to adapt could leave the industry lagging behind in the era of globalization and green production.
Green Packaging: Solutions for a sustainable future.
1. The Pressure of Green Growth
In the context of globalization and the green development trend, Vietnam’s packaging industry is facing significant challenges to ensure both growth and sustainability.
According to Johan Boden, CEO of DenEast Vietnam, innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand to drive progress. This aligns with Vietnam’s development strategy, as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasized that the country must move beyond being a low-cost manufacturing hub and transition into a center for true innovation.
Vietnam paper packaging market in the future.
Data from the Vietnam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association (VBA) highlights the crucial role of packaging—not only in protecting and transporting goods but also as an essential link in the production and consumption chain. Chu Thi Van Anh, Vice President and General Secretary of VBA, noted that despite economic fluctuations, the packaging industry has maintained strong growth and is making significant strides toward green production.
However, alongside this growth come major challenges related to raw materials, shifting consumer behaviors, and increasingly stringent product quality standards. Speaking at the seminar “Trends in Green, Eco-Friendly Packaging Development: Legal and Practical Aspects” on February 20, Nguyen Thanh Giang, General Director of Tetra Pak Vietnam, stated that Vietnam’s food and beverage (F&B) industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.25% between 2023 and 2027, reaching a market value of VND 872,916 billion by 2027. This means that the packaging industry must rapidly expand to keep pace with market demand.
Experts emphasize that the industry needs to accelerate its development to align with market trends.
Beyond growth pressures, the industry must also address environmental challenges. Nguyen Thi, from the Legal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, revealed that Vietnam’s plastic consumption has increased 21-fold from 1990 to 2019, reaching 81kg per person per year. In 1990, the country consumed approximately 0.2 million tons of plastic, but by 2022, this figure had exceeded 9 million tons. By 2029, plastic consumption is projected to double. Without effective control measures, rising plastic consumption could lead to severe environmental pollution and increased waste management burdens.
2. What Are the Solutions?
Many multinational corporations and global brands are actively researching and implementing eco-friendly materials to minimize their environmental impact.
Under pressure from both the market and environmental concerns, Vietnam’s packaging companies must rapidly innovate to stay competitive. According to Nguyen Thanh Giang, to keep up with the F&B sector’s growth, packaging businesses should focus on three core areas: cost optimization, green technology adoption, and recycling expansion.
One of the most crucial solutions is transitioning to sustainable materials. Many multinational corporations and global brands are actively researching and implementing eco-friendly materials to minimize their environmental impact. At the same time, packaging designs are being simplified to enhance recyclability.
Additionally, digital transformation and automation are key to reducing production costs, improving operational efficiency, and lowering carbon emissions. Currently, Tetra Pak is heavily investing in recycling technology in Vietnam, partnering with various organizations to bring recycled products back to the market. The company is also supporting the development of an effective waste collection and recycling system as part of its strategy to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions in production.
Packaging Recycling Alliance Vietnam (PRO Vietnam)
However, recycling is not just the responsibility of businesses. Chu Thi Kim Thanh, Chief Operating Officer of the Packaging Recycling Alliance Vietnam (PRO Vietnam), asserts that recycling requires society-wide cooperation. Since 2019, the alliance has collaborated with leading corporations to implement waste collection, sorting, and recycling programs. Furthermore, stronger collaboration across the supply chain—from manufacturers to consumers—will foster a circular economy, reducing dependence on virgin plastics.
3. A Platform for Sustainable Innovation
Alongside business efforts, ProPak Vietnam plays a crucial role in promoting modern and sustainable packaging development. More than just a technology exhibition, ProPak Vietnam serves as a networking hub, connecting businesses across the packaging value chain—from processing and packing to logistics and technical services. This event provides local companies with access to cutting-edge innovations, helping them identify optimal solutions for their growth strategies.
Companies must seize this opportunity to enhance competitiveness while ensuring long-term sustainability in line with global trends.
Vietnam stands at a pivotal moment in its transition to sustainable packaging. By combining technological innovation, eco-friendly material investments, and circular economy initiatives, the packaging industry can not only meet market demands but also contribute to the nation’s green development goals. Companies must seize this opportunity to enhance competitiveness while ensuring long-term sustainability in line with global trends.
4. ProPak Vietnam 2025: A Gateway to the Latest Packaging Technologies
The transition to green, smart, and sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s the future.
ProPak Vietnam 2025, the 18th International Exhibition for Processing, Packaging, and Technology, will take place from March 18 to 20, 2025, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City. The event will feature over 340 businesses from 26 countries and territories, attracting more than 9,500 visitors.
The exhibition will showcase advanced solutions for optimizing production lines, enhancing processing and packaging efficiency, and driving sustainable manufacturing models.
Beyond the exhibition area, ProPak Vietnam 2025 will also host a series of specialized conferences, bringing together industry experts to discuss topics such as smart packaging, automation, environmental impact reduction, and innovative applications in processing and packaging.
With growing environmental pressures and evolving consumer expectations, the packaging industry must adapt or risk being left behind. The transition to green, smart, and sustainable packaging is no longer optional—it’s the future.
Edited by Luu Hana
Operating under the motto of “Pioneering Quality,” Hoang Vuong consistently aims for sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. We proudly hold the following certifications:
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- GMI Certification
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- ISO 9001:2015
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