Participating in Vietnam FoodExpo 2025, Tetra Pak and the Try Swedish Pavilion introduced green processing and packaging technologies, fostering sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Sweden.
On 12 November, the Vietnam International Food Industry Exhibition 2025 (Vietnam FoodExpo 2025) officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City, with Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang attending the ceremony and cutting the ribbon.
Introducing Advanced Technologies from Sweden
Speaking with reporters from the Industry and Trade Newspaper, Marcus Persson, Swedish Trade Counsellor in Vietnam, emphasized that the exhibition provides a platform for Swedish companies to update the latest trends in food processing, consumer demand, and food technologies in Vietnam, thereby adjusting their business strategies accordingly.
The presence of “Try Swedish” at Vietnam FoodExpo 2025 aims to expand export markets, establish strategic partnerships, and take full advantage of the favorable trade conditions created by the EVFTA. With the EVFTA, business connectivity, cooperation, and trade promotion activities between the two countries are being significantly strengthened.
Sweden is intensifying cooperation with Vietnam in food technology development, focusing on emission reduction and sustainability. These are core principles of the circular economy, an area where Sweden has extensive experience in waste management and energy transition.
Vietnam is considered a promising supplier of organic products such as coffee, tea, pepper, cashew nuts, coconuts, fruits, and vegetables. Sweden, and the Nordic region more broadly, is one of the world’s leading markets for organic and sustainable foods. Sweden ranks among the top ten countries in per-capita organic consumption.
Nguyen Thanh Giang, Managing Director of Tetra Pak Vietnam, noted that Vietnam’s F&B market is expanding rapidly, reaching nearly USD 27 billion in 2024, a 16 percent increase compared with 2023. However, the food system is facing increasing pressure from climate change, population growth, and changes in consumer needs.
Tetra Pak values the initiative by the Swedish Embassy and Business Sweden in bringing the Try Swedish Pavilion to this year’s Vietnam FoodExpo. The initiative connects Swedish companies with stakeholders in Vietnam and promotes cooperation in food processing technology, packaging, and circular innovation.
According to Ms. Giang, Tetra Pak currently provides integrated solutions for the F&B sector, from processing technology to packaging. Joining the Try Swedish Pavilion allows Tetra Pak to introduce advanced Swedish technologies directly to Vietnamese businesses and demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to supporting food safety and sustainable development.
Tetra Pak aims to support Vietnamese businesses in ensuring food safety, improving product quality, enhancing operational efficiency, and advancing sustainability through modern technology from Sweden.
Looking ahead, Tetra Pak sees strong potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Sweden in food processing and packaging. Based on the Global Food Security Index and the Environmental Performance Index, Sweden is among the world’s top ten countries in food safety and environmental efficiency.
Ms. Giang added that Vietnam and Sweden share the same vision of innovation and sustainable development in the food sector. Tetra Pak acts as a bridge connecting Swedish technology with Vietnam’s efforts to upgrade its food and beverage value chains. Key priorities include ensuring food safety and quality by enabling longer shelf life without preservatives, reducing food waste, facilitating transport, and implementing collection and recycling initiatives to support F&B businesses in complying with EPR regulations.
Tetra Pak is also committed to promoting sustainable growth by introducing advanced and comprehensive Swedish packaging and processing solutions that meet dynamic consumer needs, reduce carbon emissions, and protect people, food, and the planet.
The company’s technologies and packaging solutions are designed to minimize environmental impact. More than 70 percent of carton components come from paper, making them easier to collect and recycle. When businesses invest in sustainable production technologies, they can reduce emissions across the value chain and contribute to the overall sustainability goals of Vietnam and Sweden.
Efforts Toward a Circular Economy
Nguyen Thanh Thuy, Marketing Director of Tetra Pak Vietnam, shared that the company is supporting F&B manufacturers in implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) through renewable and easily recyclable paper-based packaging. More than 70 percent of packaging materials come from paper, combined with paper straws, caps made from recycled plastics, and plant-based polymer layers.
Tetra Pak also provides an end-to-end solution, from product formulation and pilot production to processing and packaging. This helps manufacturers reduce total cost of ownership and environmental impact, save operational costs, and ensure consistent product quality.
Additionally, Tetra Pak has invested in a nationwide collection and recycling network for used cartons. The company collaborates with schools, supermarkets, and residential communities to collect used beverage cartons. Consumers can also bring used cartons to TH True Milk and Vinamilk retail stores as part of recycling programs.
To date, Tetra Pak has partnered with three recycling companies, five collection units, and more than 1,300 collection points nationwide. These efforts demonstrate the company’s commitment to promoting a circular economy. Such initiatives help F&B businesses comply with EPR regulations and encourage consumers to adopt sustainable consumption practices.
At Vietnam FoodExpo 2025, Tetra Pak showcases a comprehensive quality experience through Swedish technology. To achieve this level of quality, F&B manufacturers need to apply consistent processing and packaging technologies that enhance food safety, improve product quality, and extend shelf life without preservatives.
In food processing, Tetra Pak’s UHT sterilization technology offers precise microbiological and temperature control. This allows products to achieve a shelf life of up to 12 months without preservatives or refrigeration, meeting international food safety standards. The flavor and texture of products are also maintained throughout the shelf life.
In packaging, Tetra Pak’s multilayer paper-based cartons protect products from light, oxygen, and moisture, which are factors that degrade quality. The packaging is designed according to circular principles, making it easy to collect and recycle.
Tetra Pak also offers a diverse range of packaging solutions suitable for high-demand categories such as nutritional beverages, ready-to-eat foods, ready-to-drink coffee, and dairy products, which align with consumer trends toward health, convenience, and sustainability.
The company provides flexible packaging formats and sizes suitable for brands targeting younger consumers, who place strong emphasis on convenience, health, and environmental responsibility.
Vietnam FoodExpo 2025 features more than 500 booths from nearly 400 companies representing more than 20 Vietnamese provinces and more than 20 countries and territories, including South Korea, Japan, Russia, Turkey, Finland, Poland, Sweden, India, Thailand, Brazil, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Taiwan (China), Canada, and Cambodia.