Vietnam’s plastics and rubber sector: Sustainability for economic growth

Towards sustainability

The 22nd Vietnam International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition took place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, featuring nearly 600 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions, with notable pavilions from India, the Republic of Korea, China, and Chinese Taipei. The exhibition served as a comprehensive platform for industry professionals to showcase their innovations, strengthen partnerships, and explore emerging trends.

Marking its 22nd edition, VietnamPlas - Vietnam’s premier exhibition in the plastics and rubber sector - gathered 600 exhibitors and drew 20,000 industry leaders and professionals

A significant feature of the exhibition was an Executive Seminar on driving sustainability in the plastics and rubber industries via next-gen materials, co-organized by CCX Partners and ChanChao International. Held on the exhibition floor, the seminar attracted over 50 executives and industry leaders from prominent companies, such as Mondelez Vietnam, Stavian, Melchers, Accredo Asia Packaging, Tan Tien Packaging, Rang Dong Long An, and many more.

The seminar opened with a keynote from Mr. Le Anh, Sustainability Director at DUYTAN Plastic Recycling, highlighting Vietnam's sustainability journey and industry structural shifts from 2019-2023, driven by increased investment and government incentives toward Net-Zero. "I take pride in sharing the transformative journey of Vietnam's plastics industry on every global platform I can," he remarked.

Following up the session, Mr. Jonathan Sourintha, Owner of TURN GREEN shared insights on the crucial role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies in shaping business practices within Vietnam’s plastics and rubber industries and how leading brands are setting the standard for compliance.

A lively panel discussion hosted by Ms. Trang Dao, Business Development Director, Evonik Vietnam, with the insightful sharing from 3 industry experts of Mr. Le Anh, DUYTAN Plastic Recycling, Mr. To Thanh Son, ESG Manager, SGS Vietnam, and Mr. Daniel Chan, Founder & CEO, Intereras. The panel explored how digitalization and sustainability complement each other to drive transformation in plastics and rubber circularity.

Industry experts, including Mr. Le Anh from DUYTAN Plastic Recycling, Mr. To Thanh Son from SGS Vietnam, Ms. Trang Dao from Evonik Vietnam, and Mr. Daniel Chan from Intereras, delved into Vietnam’s landscape of plastics and rubber circularity, offering tailored solutions for local and FDI businesses

Mr. To Thanh Son, ESG Manager, SGS Vietnam continued the discussion with a holistic overview and in-depth analysis about Traceability Regulations from the EU - an important export market of Vietnam. He highlighted the challenges these policies pose for Vietnamese exporters and outlined four strategic pathways to reduce plastic waste, meet climate targets, and foster a circular economy.

Mr. Vinay Bhardwaj, Country Head & Vice Chairman, Indorama Ventures Vietnam from Indoraman shared the latest Innovations in Green Composite Materials of Bio-PET, RPET, NFCS, Recyclable multilayer Composites. He emphasized the performance advantages of these sustainable alternatives over traditional materials and provided strategies for scaling up production to meet rising global demand.

The 2nd lively panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Phuong Le, Director, Thinh Vuong Plastics and 3 other industry leaders, including Mr. Jonathan SOURINTHA, Mr. Vinay Bhardwaj and Mr. Thong Le, CEO Lagom Vietnam. The panel explored the growing demand for bio-based and biodegradable materials, comparing them with recycled plastics. The discussion focused on how Vietnamese manufacturers can align with sustainability trends to access key markets in the EU, the US, and Asia.

Networking and collaboration

The seminar concluded with a networking and business-matching session, allowing participants to explore potential partnerships and supplier opportunities. Indorama Ventures, in particular, engaged with top exhibitors from China, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam to explore sourcing PET, RPET flakes, HDPE, and Masterbatch materials. Other participants leveraged the platform to connect with potential collaborators and explore business opportunities aligned with sustainability goals.

Phuong Nguyen, representing CCX Partners, highlighted the seminar's role in bridging connections between foreign investors and Vietnamese businesses. “Through these thought leadership seminars, ChanChao International and CCX Partners aim to create an integrated platform that supports investors and manufacturers in succeeding within the Vietnamese market while promoting sustainability in key industrial sectors,” she stated.

The exhibition and seminar demonstrated the collective commitment of local and international stakeholders to advance sustainable practices and drive economic growth in Vietnam’s plastics and rubber industries. By focusing on sustainability and higher value-added activities, the sector is well-positioned to thrive amid global market shifts and contribute meaningfully to Vietnam’s long-term economic prosperity.