In the context of the paper industry in Vietnam, significant growth has been observed. The Vietnam Pulp and Paper Association is proposing a crucial shift from producing conventional paper packaging to high-quality paper packaging. Mr. Dang Van Son, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Association, has pointed out that the paper industry in Vietnam has been growing at a rate of over 10% annually, with the current annual production volume reaching nearly 10 million tons. However, about 90% of the industry's products are conventional paper packaging, primarily used in the textile, wood processing, and other industries.
Shifting from Conventional Paper Packaging to High-Quality Paper Packaging
Despite robust growth in the paper industry in Vietnam in recent years, especially with an annual growth rate of over 10%, the industry is currently facing a significant challenge. Both the domestic and export markets have seen reduced demand, causing the paper industry to operate at low capacity, around 50-60%. This reduced demand not only poses difficulties for businesses in the industry but also leads to an oversupply of conventional paper.
With strong support from the Vietnam Pulp and Paper Association, the paper industry needs to address that more than 90% of its products are conventional paper packaging, primarily used in textile, wood processing, and other industries. Shifting towards producing high-quality paper packaging has become a crucial goal for the paper industry in Vietnam. This is a way to address the oversupply of conventional paper domestically and explore new opportunities for the industry.
Trends in Demand for High-Quality Paper Packaging
The trend of demand for high-quality paper packaging is emerging strongly worldwide. Businesses and consumers are increasingly focusing on using safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly packaging products. This has driven the demand for high-quality paper packaging in many important consumer markets, such as the food, frozen food, pharmaceutical, and electronics markets.
With new factories expected to become operational in the coming years, transitioning to the production of high-quality paper packaging can help the industry meet specific demands and explore new markets, such as in the Americas, the Middle East, and North Africa. Furthermore, the industry also needs to stimulate its growth through collaboration with global markets.
Addressing Issues of Raw Materials and Skilled Workforce
To address these issues, the paper industry needs to focus on enhancing its raw material supply and workforce training. Vietnam still imports over 500,000 tons of pulp every year while exporting more than 15 million tons of wood, the primary raw material for pulp production. This presents a natural advantage for a circular economic model. To ensure environmental sustainability, investments in pulp production should be made using modern technology. Additionally, cooperation between the industry and academia is essential to ensure an adequate supply of skilled labor for this sector.
Transitioning to the production of high-quality paper packaging can help the paper industry leverage market opportunities and ensure sustainable development in the future.
Source: Vietnamplus