Managing director Andrew Khan shared Carlsberg Vietnam’s approach to renewable-energy transition during the DPPA panel at the Green Economy Forum 2025

On November 27, the Green Economy Forum (GEF) 2025 brought together policymakers, business leaders, and sustainability experts to discuss the regulatory and market shifts shaping Vietnam’s sustainability journey and its progress. Carlsberg Vietnam joined the panel discussion on direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) challenges and opportunities for foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam, to exchange viewpoints and stay aligned with Vietnam’s evolving sustainability priorities.

During the panel discussion, Andrew Khan, managing director of Carlsberg Vietnam, shared practical insights into renewable-energy sourcing and outlined how the company is preparing its next steps in line with Vietnam’s broader energy direction.

An evolving sustainability journey

Carlsberg Vietnam has been part of Vietnam’s economic landscape for over 30 years. As one of the earliest Danish investors in the country, the company has grown alongside local communities, and sustainability has become a core pillar of its long-term strategy.

This is most evident at the company’s Phu Bai Brewery, which was expanded in August. Recent investments in upgraded equipment, advanced technologies, and automation have helped reduce environmental impacts while improving productivity.

Today, Phu Bai Brewery runs on iREC-certified renewable electricity and biomass-powered steam. Its high-efficiency brew line reduces water use by 20 per cent and energy consumption by 15 per cent, while improved refrigeration systems help lower emissions further. These advancements underpin Carlsberg Vietnam’s environmental roadmap: zero waste to landfill by end of 2025, 100 per cent recyclable or reusable packaging and 2.0 hl/hl water efficiency by 2026, and net-zero carbon emissions in production by 2028.

DPPA a key enabler for Carlsberg Vietnam’s net-zero roadmap

The DPPA session at GEF 2025 underscored that Vietnam’s renewable energy transition will require coordination between policymakers, developers, and businesses. Representing Carlsberg Vietnam, Khan highlighted how DPPA fits into the company’s long-term sustainability commitments.

Across the Carlsberg Group, power purchase agreements (PPAs) play a central role in securing electricity from newly built renewable projects. Long-term PPAs across Europe and Asia reflect the group’s ambition to source all electricity from new-build renewable assets by 2030, positioning Carlsberg among the early movers in the global brewing industry.

For Carlsberg Vietnam, DPPA is the natural continuation of this global approach. While the company has sourced renewable electricity through I-RECs since 2022, Khan noted that certificates are only a beginning. To reach net-zero production emissions by 2028, Carlsberg Vietnam is preparing to expand renewable-energy use through DPPA participation and on-site solar projects, aligned with Vietnam’s net-zero roadmap by 2050 and the group’s global targets.

“DPPA helps make renewable sourcing more meaningful and impactful,” shared Khan. “It strengthens Vietnam’s clean-energy infrastructure, supports long-term sustainability goals, and signals a clear commitment to modernising the power market and attracting high-quality green investment.

“It also opens the door for deeper technology and expertise exchange between Vietnam and Europe. European enterprises can bring innovation, technical know-how, and financing solutions that support Vietnam’s climate agenda. With global experience and a strong local commitment, Carlsberg Vietnam is ready to play a constructive role in this transition.”

In his remarks, Khan noted that DPPA strengthens Vietnam’s clean-energy transition while creating new avenues for innovation and EU–Vietnam knowledge sharing

Sustainability beyond energy: a long-term commitment to communities

Carlsberg Vietnam’s sustainability journey also extends into the communities where it operates, especially in Central Vietnam, home of the Huda brand. Through its long-running “Fresh Water for Beloved Central” programme, the company has delivered clean water to nearly 40,000 people across seven years. Its annual Lunar New Year initiative, “Tet is Full, Tet is Love”, has supported more than 75,000 beneficiaries over the past decade.

The company also stands with communities in moments of hardship. When historic floods recently struck Central Vietnam, Carlsberg Vietnam mobilised VND1.5 billion ($56,866) in emergency relief for affected households in Hue and Danang. Ahead of GEF 2025, the company further joined EuroCham’s urgent crowdfunding campaign, contributing $1,000 to the Vietnam Fatherland Front alongside other member companies – a collective effort towards “one resilient Vietnam”.

Carlsberg Vietnam donated VND1.5 billion ($56,866) to support residents in Hue and Danang in rebuilding their lives after the historic floods

Together, these sustained efforts reflect Carlsberg Vietnam’s commitment to community resilience, shown through both long-term programmes and timely support when it is needed most. This dedication was recognised with the 2025 EuroCham Community Impact Award, underscoring the company’s continued partnership with the communities it serves.

A dedicated partner to Vietnam’s green transition

As Vietnam accelerates its sustainability journey, Carlsberg Vietnam sees its own roadmap as part of a long-term partnership with the country. The company remains committed to practical, steady progress: strengthening environmental performance, improving operational efficiency, and sustaining community initiatives across the regions where it operates.

Through these efforts, Carlsberg Vietnam aims to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for the country, staying true to its purpose of “brewing for a better today and tomorrow”.

Carlsberg offers excellence in Vietnam The inauguration of Carlsberg’s expanded Phu Bai brewery represents commitment to build a world-class supply chain in one of Asia’s most dynamic markets. Joy Rice, vice president for Supply Chain of Carlsberg Asia, shared her insights with VIR’s Van Mai on how operational excellence and sustainability go hand-in-hand, and what’s next for the group’s ambitions.

Carlsberg Vietnam donates nearly $56,000 to support Hue and Danang after floods Following devastating floods in Central Vietnam, Carlsberg has contributed VND1.5 billion ($56,977) to support relief and recovery efforts in Hue and Danang, two localities hardest hit by the historic rainfall and landslides.

Carlsberg Vietnam honoured with Community Impact title at EuroCham Galar Dinner & Business Awards Carlsberg Vietnam was honoured with the Community Impact award for large enterprises at the EuroCham Galar Dinner & Business Awards 2025 on October 30.

Manufacturers last week sent comments about their issues in recycling packaging products during the extended producer responsibility (EPR) process to the Agribusiness and Environment Working Group of the Vietnam Business Forum.

A representative of the working group said that weak enforcement on waste segregation at source and the fragmented nature of waste collection, which relies heavily on the informal sector, continue to make the process expensive.

“The quality and volume of materials collected fluctuate, creating supply chain instability. This causes a disparity where the cost to collect, sort, and process waste into high-quality recycled materials is higher than the cost of importing new raw materials,” the representative said.

“Markets for recycled materials are immature. Most of Vietnam’s recycling operations are small-scale and use outdated, manual processes. This results in recycled materials of lower quality that cannot compete with the quality and consistency of virgin materials,” he added.

Meanwhile, a report from the Green Growth Sector Committee under the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam noted that EPR regulations currently do not have any incentives for producers that use recycled materials. These kinds of incentives would help facilitate the development of the recycling industry at this early stage and create a mechanism for the circular economy, it said. Some other issues in misalignment are being addressed in an anticipated draft EPR decree.

Members offer several recommendations, including the proposal to offer incentives for recycled materials and allow self-recycling efforts to count towards fund contributions to boost related investments.

In September, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) submitted a draft decree on EPR to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), a key step towards consolidating scattered regulations and ensuring the policy becomes a practical tool for circular economy transition.

According to the draft submission, previous legislation has laid the foundation for implementing EPR under the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection. However, in practice, provisions remain fragmented across multiple documents, making them difficult for businesses to follow and for regulators to monitor effectively.

“EPR is still new to Vietnam, covering a wide range of stakeholders. As a market-based environmental policy, it plays a key role in steering the country towards a circular economy by requiring producers to take responsibility for the post-consumer stage of products,” the MAE noted in the draft submitted to the MoJ.

Given the complexity and wide scope of the policy, it believes that issuing a standalone decree dedicated solely to EPR is essential. The move would unify current rules, enhance transparency, and provide a clear framework for businesses to comply while improving state oversight, the draft added.

Many foreign enterprises are interested in Vietnam’s recycling market potential. Nguyen Thanh Yen, deputy head of Legal Policy at the Department of Environment under the MAE, said, “Implementing this policy creates export advantages and creates a foundation for sustainable business development. At the same time, they will inspect enterprises that have not fulfilled their obligations and impose administrative sanctions on violating enterprises.”

Larry Lee, deputy general director in charge of strategic assets and sustainable development at Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO), said, “Packaging is the starting point in the transformation journey of enterprises. Thus, all of the company’s primary and secondary packaging can be reused or recycled. The unit has also reduced the thickness of aluminium can lid rolls, saving 15 per cent of raw materials and reducing emissions in transportation.”

SABECO is deploying a closed-loop recycling model for glass bottles, aluminium cans, and paper packaging, aiming for all packaging to be designed under a circular model by 2040.

In the paper industry, a field heavily dependent on recycled materials, the story is even more difficult. Hoang Trung Son, director of Dong Tien Paper Company, said more than half of recycled paper materials must be imported because the domestic collection system has high costs and lacks valid documentation.

“One of the major barriers is the regulation on depositing scrap imports from 18-20 per cent, while the procedures are complicated and businesses are susceptible to input VAT collection if they do not have standard documents,” Son said.

The Vietnam Pulp and Paper Association, of which Son is also chairman, proposed a number of solutions, such as tax exemption for collection businesses, allowing recycling units to pay input VAT to collectors, and promoting specialisation of the waste collection system to increase input quality.

Le Viet Dong Hieu, deputy marketing director of Duy Tan Plastic, said the production cost of products using recycled materials is still higher than that of virgin materials due to the complex processing, modern technology requirements, and strict quality control.

“This somewhat limits the green consumption trend. If supported by policies, and taxes, it will also be a strong support to help recycled products compete and attract more users in the market,” Hieu said.

On November 23, Vladislav Valerievich Shapsha, Governor of Kaluga province, toured TH Group’s advanced dairy farm complex in Nghe An while in Vietnam to receive the Friendship Medal from the President. Earlier that day, he and his delegation met with provincial leaders and were briefed on TH Group’s contributions to local development over the past 15 years.

During his tour of TH’s high-tech closed-loop production facilities, Shapsha expressed deep admiration for the rapid growth and international achievements of the modern dairy farming model built in Nghia Dan under the leadership of Labour Heroine Thai Huong.

He noted that TH had not only effectively tapped into local economic potential but had also transformed traditional production methods, engaged local communities, and improved income and living standards for residents.

Governor Shapsha (centre, white shirt) and his delegation were welcomed at TH Group’s dairy farm complex in Nghe An

The governor said he believed that TH Group’s success in Vietnam was being replicated in Kaluga, a province in central Russia about 190km from Moscow, and consistently ranked among the country’s top investment destinations. TH’s high-tech dairy farm and fresh milk processing plant in Kaluga, part of the group’s agricultural investment complex in Russia, has become one of the most prominent highlights in recent Vietnam–Russia economic cooperation.

Two years after his first official visit to Vietnam in 2023, Shapsha returned with a detailed working agenda. His priority this time was to observe firsthand the original model of TH’s large-scale, high-tech, closed-loop dairy farm in Nghe An – now being replicated in Kaluga as well as in TH’s projects in Moscow, the Far East Region, and the Republic of Bashkortostan.

Governor Shapsha (middle) visits the milking area of TH Group’s Farm No.3

Welcoming the delegation, Thai Huong, founder and chairwoman of TH Group’s Strategic Council, said, “We are deeply moved to welcome you back. The deputy governor once told me that the road we are travelling today looks different from the past. He was right – this used to be one of Nghe An’s poorest regions. We have helped transform the area, bringing local people into the value chain, empowering them to improve their lives and prosper right on their homeland.”

Huong noted that tens of thousands of households have stable employment thanks to the project, their children have better schooling opportunities, and many young people have returned to work at the very farms and factories where they were born – a testament to TH’s social value.

In response, Shapsha congratulated Huong on receiving the Friendship Medal from President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin days earlier. “Thanks to your professionalism and talent,” he said, “Kaluga now has modern dairy production and processing facilities. TH’s projects in Kaluga are not just about job creation – they symbolise the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic cooperation.”

He also shared that Kaluga aims to reach a dairy output of one million litres per day within the next five years, adding, “We are delighted to walk this path with you. The provincial government will provide every possible support for TH’s investment activities.”

The TH true MILK brand officially appeared in Russia after TH Groups inaugurated its milk processing in Kaluga province in May 2025

TH’s dairy herd in Kaluga currently achieves one of the highest productivity levels in Russia, producing over 40 litres per cow per day. On May 11, the company inaugurated its fresh milk processing plant in Kaluga, with a total capacity of 1,000 tonnes per day (Phase 1: 500 tonnes/day), in a ceremony attended by Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. The facility is among the largest milk processing plants in Russia.

The Kaluga delegation visited the milking area of Farm No.3, home to about 7,000 of the nearly 70,000 high-yield dairy cows imported from New Zealand and the United States. The farm features some of Vietnam’s most advanced milking systems, ensuring a completely sealed process from milking to packaging – preventing any air exposure and preserving the freshness, purity, and nutritional value of TH true MILK products.

Data plays a central role in ensuring milk quality and herd health. TH uses Afifarm, one of the world’s leading farm management technologies developed by Afimilk from Israel.

Each cow is fitted with an electronic chip on its leg or neck, acting as a ‘digital guardian’ that tracks and transmits real-time health and activity data to the central control centre. The milk-metering devices in the milking system record milk volume and quality indicators, helping detect and predict mastitis at an early stage.

The delegation next visited TH’s IVF laboratory, where the company has mastered in-vitro fertilisation technology, enabling the creation of high-quality purebred dairy cows with productivity comparable to America’s best breeds – right in Vietnam.

At TH’s feed mill – an essential link in the international-standard dairy farming chain – the delegation learned about the daily production and mixing of roughly 2,000 tonnes of feed for the 70,000-cow herd. The facility is equipped with advanced machinery and an ISO 17025-certified laboratory using near-infrared spectroscopy for raw material quality control.

The Kaluga delegation also toured the Nui Tien pure water, herbal, and fruit beverage factory. With an investment of $47 million, the plant is equipped with 100 per cent automated, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly production lines for purified water, natural juices, rice beverages, and herbal teas.

The award highlighted ATAD’s ability to maintain international standards, operate a comprehensive quality management system, and implement ESG-aligned sustainable practices across its design-manufacturing-construction value chain.

For over more than two decades of development, ATAD has expanded its footprint to encompass 13 offices and delivered projects in over 60 countries, including airports, industrial facilities, and large-scale infrastructure.

This track record demonstrates the global competitiveness of a Vietnamese enterprise in a sector requiring high levels of technical precision, safety compliance, and international certification.

Nguyen Le Anh Tuan, CEO of ATAD Steel Structure Corporation, represented the company on stage to receive the award

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Nguyen Le Anh Tuan, CEO of ATAD, noted, “This award is an acknowledgment of ATAD’s credibility and capabilities in the international market. It marks more than 20 years of continuous innovation, people development, and commitment to sustainable growth.

We will continue investing in technology, advancing green and modern manufacturing, and delivering world-class projects, affirming the emerging role of Vietnamese enterprises in the steel structure industry across Asia and globally.”

ATAD currently operates steel structure manufacturing facilities with a combined annual capacity of 216,000 tonnes, offering end-to-end design and build services from engineering and fabrication to logistics, erection, and maintenance.

ATAD is also the only company in the steel structure industry to be honoured with both the Vietnam National Brand (Vietnam Value) and the Vietnam National Quality Awards.

The company serves major global clients such as Samsung, Heineken, Hyundai, Toyota, P&G, Sanofi, ACV, VinFast, and Hoa Phat.

In line with its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, ATAD adopts a zero accident safety policy, applies LEED standards in production to reduce carbon emissions, and maintains long-term corporate social responsibility programmes in education, healthcare, and community support.

The company also operates Vietnam’s first LEED Gold-certified steel structure factory, backed by international certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IAS AC472, CE Marking, AISC, ASME, CWB, and UKCA, meeting the stringent requirements of demanding markets such as the US, EU, the UK, Australia, and Japan.

ATAD’s technical capability has been demonstrated in major infrastructure developments, most notably Long Thanh International Airport, where the company fabricated and installed more than 45,000 tonnes of steel structures and executed a 5,300-tonne roof lifting operation.

ATAD has also contributed to key international projects including Metro Line 1 in Ho Chi Minh City, MRT-7 in the Philippines, the Jackson Generation Power Plant (US), Kampala Flyover (Uganda), Matarbari Power Plant (Bangladesh), H2 Green Steel (Sweden), and various airport developments across Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

The Manufacturing Asia Awards is a recognised regional programme honouring companies that demonstrate leadership in innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable industrial development.

ATAD’s achievements reflect the growing presence and capability of Vietnamese manufacturers in the global steel structure industry.

Kanematsu Corporation officially becomes strategic shareholder of ATAD ATAD Steel Structure Corporation, a leading steel structure company in Vietnam, has announced that from April 2021, Japan’s Kanematsu Corporation has completed transaction procedures and officially became the company’s strategic shareholder.

Successful lifting of Long Thanh International Airport central terminal steel roof structure As a member of the Vietur joint venture, ATAD Steel Structure Corporation and Swiss subcontractor VSL have lifted the central steel roof structure for Long Thanh International Airport.

Steel industry navigating global challenges Vietnam’s steel industry is seeking opportunities to strengthen its manufacturing and exports while facing intense competition from low-cost imported steel and global trade protection measures.

“I have been looking forward to seeing firsthand Nui Phao mine – one of the world’s largest tungsten deposits outside China,” Rouenhoff said during the November 18 visit.

He emphasised tungsten’s status as a critical strategic mineral for Germany, serving as a core input for the defence industry as well as multiple high-tech manufacturing sectors. He noted that one of the key priorities of his Vietnam mission was to explore opportunities to diversify supply sources and enhance supply chain security for strategic raw materials.

Prior to the visit, Rouenhoff and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan co-chaired the third meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation. The session reviewed progress in bilateral collaboration, addressed existing challenges, and identified priority areas for the next phase, including energy transition, emissions reduction towards carbon neutrality, and energy security.

Welcoming the delegation, Ashley McAleese, CEO of Masan High-Tech Materials , said, “MHT owns the world’s largest primary tungsten deposit outside China, ranks among the top three global fluorspar producers, and is one of the few suppliers of primary bismuth worldwide.”

He further provided an overview of the company’s mining and advanced processing capabilities, its strategy to develop high-tech materials, and its plans to expand international cooperation. McAleese later accompanied the delegation on a tour of Nui Phao mine and MHT’s tungsten processing facilities.

The German delegation expressed strong appreciation for MHT’s modern, integrated mining and processing operations, from ore extraction to advanced tungsten refining, and for its predominantly Vietnamese team of highly skilled engineers and managers. The delegation also acknowledged MHT’s commitment to technological innovation and sustainable mining practices.

Germany is Vietnam’s second-largest European trading partner, with bilateral export volume approaching $8 billion and accounting for more than 17 per cent of Vietnam’s exports to the EU. The visit provided German officials and business representatives with deeper insight into MHT’s technological capabilities and its leading position in global high-tech tungsten processing.

Concluding the visit, State Secretary Rouenhoff reaffirmed Germany’s intention to deepen economic and industrial cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in energy and in fostering partnerships between businesses of both countries. He also emphasised the potential for strengthened collaboration with MHT in critical minerals and strategic materials – sectors in which the company plays an emerging role in Vietnam.

Masan High-Tech Materials to tap into global mineral recovery Masan High-Tech Materials, a member company of Masan Group, is poised to seize new opportunities against the backdrop of positive signals in the global market.

MHT advances its ‘Back to Basics’ strategy Masan High-Tech Materials (MHT) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering value through the execution of its ‘Back-to-Basics’ strategy.

Masan High-Tech Materials to grab opportunities from rising tungsten prices Masan High-Tech Materials (MSR) stands to benefit from rising tungsten prices thanks to its “Back to Basics” strategy and its Nui Phao mine in the northern province of Thai Nguyen, one of the largest tungsten mines in the world outside of China.