Heineken Vietnam will switch to renewable energy, improve efficiency and cut emissions to achieve net zero emissions throughout the value chain by 2040.
As a joint venture between HEINEKEN and Saigon Trading Corporation (SATRA), HEINEKEN Vietnam has a 30-year history with proud marks and achievements. From the first factory in Ho Chi Minh City in 1991, HEINEKEN Vietnam now has 6 factories with more than 3,000 employees across Vietnam.

HEINEKEN Vietnam is creating 152,000 jobs throughout the value chain, contributing to 0.7% of the total national GDP. HEINEKEN Vietnam is among the businesses that have contributed the most taxes to the state budget for many consecutive years.

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As a company constantly innovating, the brand combines international experience with know-how and a deep understanding of the Vietnamese market to bring Vietnamese consumers a diverse product portfolio suitable for different needs, preferences and enjoyment times. In Vietnam, HEINEKEN produces and distributes the brands Heineken®, Tiger, Larue, BIVINA, Bia Viet, Strongbow and Edelweiss, including products created by Vietnamese beer brewing experts exclusively for Vietnamese people.
Specifically, to realize the Net Zero commitment, Heineken Vietnam focuses on the 4Rs strategy with Reduce - reducing energy consumption with advanced equipment and process optimization; Replace - replace fossil energy with renewable energy; Remove - remove emissions residues with carbon offset projects; and Report - report and evaluate impacts throughout the entire value chain, in production, packaging, logistics and refrigeration stages respectively.

Read more: Vietnam eyes transition to green production for sustainable value

The Heineken factory in Hoc Mon, Ho Chi Minh City as well as all Heineken factories are making efforts to convert to using renewable energy.

Photo: HVN

In particular, Heineken Vietnam also aims to achieve zero net emissions in the manufacturing sector by 2025. To realize this ambition, the business is focusing on investing in the roadmap to transition to use renewable energy at all 6 breweries.

Energy conversion in production

The production process of Heineken Vietnam products uses two main types of energy: heat energy, mainly for brewing beer, and electricity for all machinery and equipment.

Currently, 6/6 of the company's breweries nationwide use thermal energy from biomass with input from agricultural by-products such as rice husks and sawdust. In addition, all electricity has been approved by Energy Attribute certificates purchased from certified suppliers. The company continues to aim for more radical renewable power solutions, typically the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) and installing rooftop solar energy systems next year.

In 2022, the company recorded 96% renewable energy used in production while reducing emissions by 87% compared to 2018.

Agricultural waste and by-products are used as input for biomass thermal energy at Heineken Vietnam's breweries. Photo: HVN

In 2023, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Group's founding, Heineken® - one of the most premium brands of Heineken Vietnam - announced that it is produced with 100% renewable energy in Vietnam, marking a milestone on the energy transition roadmap. Accordingly, all Heineken® products produced in Vietnam - including Heineken® Original, Heineken® Silver and Heineken® 0.0 are now produced using renewable energy. Vietnam is the third country to achieve this after the Netherlands and Brazil.

Heineken® is produced with 100% renewable energy, loved by users. Photo: HVN

Cut carbon throughout the value chain.

Aiming for great ambitions in 2040, Heineken Vietnam continuously strives to cut carbon emissions throughout the value chain. Notably, in terms of packaging, 98% of glass bottles are reused more than 30 times by Heineken Vietnam, 98.5% of plastic containers are reused for more than 10 years, and specially designed aluminium cans help save thousands of tons of aluminium every year.

The company also innovates vehicles and optimizes supplier networks across provinces to improve truck efficiency and minimize emissions in the logistics process. Heineken Vietnam supports installing environmentally friendly refrigerator systems at all distribution channels, helping reduce emissions by 63% compared to conventional refrigerators.

Electric forklifts are used at Heineken Vietnam's brewery. Photo: HVN

The company's main office area applies new initiatives such as space design to optimize natural light, thereby reducing electricity used for lighting, or a policy that empowers employees to work from anywhere, reducing emissions from travel. Through sustainable initiatives in all operations, Heineken Vietnam also affirms its commitment to accompanying the government's Net Zero roadmap while spreading the spirit of sustainable development to the business community.

In a challenging year, 2023, Heineken Vietnam continues to realize its sustainable development ambitions. With continuous efforts, recently, the company was recognized as one of the two most sustainable enterprises in Vietnam at the Announcement Ceremony of Sustainable Enterprises in Vietnam (CSI) 2023. This is the second year Heineken Vietnam has been in the Top 3 Most Sustainable Enterprises in Vietnam in the manufacturing sector for 8 consecutive years, and it is also one of the 5 pioneering enterprises implementing a circular economy and cutting carbon emissions in 2023.

Faced with increasing challenges in the field of sustainable development, the representative of Heineken Vietnam emphasized "the importance of expanding cooperation and joint action from all individuals and organizations" to find practical solutions to the carbon neutral problem, replicating good values and aiming for the goal of "For a better Vietnam".