Vinamilk Adds One More Carbon Neutral Certified Factory, Accelerating Green Manufacturing

Vietnam Beverage Factory – A New Addition to Vinamilk‘s “Green” Factory System

Recently, Vinamilk has once again received international certification for Carbon Neutral (PAS 2060:2014) from the British Standards Institution (BSI) for its Vietnam Beverage Factory. This certification recognizes the total carbon neutralized at the factory within scope 1 and scope 2 as 3,410 tons of CO₂e. This accomplishment is the result of dual efforts: reducing emissions through production while maintaining a green fund to absorb greenhouse gases over the years.

The Vietnam Beverage Factory is located in Ben Cat town, Binh Duong province, built by Vinamilk and put into operation since 2010. The factory has been continuously invested to enhance production capacity. Currently, it has a designed capacity of more than 282 million products per year and is producing popular products of Vinamilk such as Susu and Yomilk drinking yogurt, Sure Prevent powdered milk for adults, Icy beverages, etc.

According to Vinamilk’s sustainable development strategy, for many years, the Vietnam Beverage Factory has implemented many green, environmentally friendly production solutions such as applying green energy, renewable energy; utilizing modern energy-saving technologies such as heat circulation in product sterilization, water circulation in product cooling, etc. 

Currently, the proportion of green, clean energy (including solar energy, CNG, etc.) accounts for over 92% of energy consumption at the factory. According to the greenhouse gas inventory report, the factory’s emissions in 2023 have decreased 30% compared to 2022. The “green” efforts have helped the factory meet strict international standards such as ISO 50001 energy certification, ISO 14001 environmental certification, and now, the PAS 2060:2014 Carbon Neutral certification.

“A full and detailed inventory and assessment of emissions will provide businesses with an accurate view to develop a structured plan for reduction and for moving towards neutralization. As the entity conducting verification of these activities at many of Vinamilk’s factories, it can be said that their practices can serve as a prime example for businesses on the path of greening themselves and contributing to Vietnam’s common Net Zero goal” – said Mr. Le Duyên Anh, General Director of BSI Vietnam.

Previously, two other units of Vinamilk, Nghe An Dairy Factory and Nghe An Dairy Farm were the first in the dairy industry to achieve carbon neutral certification in accordance with PAS 2060:2014. Thus, in less than a year after announcing the action program towards Net Zero “Vinamilk Pathways to Dairy Net Zero 2050”, Vinamilk has had 3 units achieving this certification.

Each product to consumers gradually reduces the “Carbon Footprint”

After announcing the action program Vinamilk Pathways to Dairy Net Zero 2050 in mid-2023, Vinamilk has continuously implemented projects to reduce carbon footprint as well as maintain and develop tree-planting activities to create a greenhouse gas absorption pool. Specifically, Vinamilk is continuing to increase the use of green, clean energy sources instead of fossil fuels, optimizing environmentally friendly and emission-reducing production technology, researching projects to help regenerate and circulate resources, etc.

Among the strategic orientations towards Net Zero, green manufacturing is one of the four identified by Vinamilk: Sustainable Farming – Green Manufacturing – Environmentally Friendly Logistics – Sustainable Consumption. Aiming for a comprehensive and holistic approach to these four aspects, Mr. Le Hoang Minh, Deputy General Director of Production and Net Zero Project Manager of Vinamilk said that there would be more units achieving carbon neutrality in the near future, affirming Vinamilk’s determination and commitment to minimizing “Carbon Footprint” towards Net Zero.

Mr. Le Hoang Minh added: “Vinamilk is implementing synchronous solutions in environmentally friendly technology, transitioning to green energy, implementing the circular economy model, etc. to develop a model of factories that are not only modern and meet international quality standards but also increasingly green. With the determination of the Board of Directors and the enthusiasm of all employees, Vinamilk will make more efforts to minimize the carbon footprint of our products on the way to consumers.”

At the Vietnam Beverage Factory, 2023 has witnessed six initiatives to save electricity and energy from the factory’s own employees that have been deployed and implemented. In addition, the factory also applies many activities such as: using food waste treatment machines to fertilize plants, using machines to collect and sort product packaging for recycling, using bicycles/electric vehicles in the factory premises, planting more green areas, browsing and storing files online instead of printing paper, etc. to “green” the working environment.

As you may know, the leading dairy enterprise in Vietnam is currently applying nearly 20 international standard management systems to the entire chain of operations to ensure that its products not only meet the stringent requirements of food hygiene and safety but also meet standards related to sustainable development. Vinamilk is also actively working with consulting units and leading experts in dairy sustainability in and outside of Vietnam to develop solutions that are most suitable for the actual conditions of Vietnam.

In parallel with the activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Vinamilk has and is implementing projects to create large-scale carbon absorption pools, such as: Maintaining and expanding the green fund at the Farm, Factory; Project to conserve the natural forest area of over 1,000 hectares in Xieng Khuang, Laos; Project to enclose and regenerate 25 hectares of mangrove forest in Mu Ca Mau National Park and the Net Zero forest within the framework of the Tree Planting activity towards Net Zero 2050 in cooperation with Resources and Environment Newspaper, etc.