Vietnam’s plastics exports continue steady growth with strong potential
Vietnam’s plastics exports have maintained stable growth and are still considered to have significant potential. This has attracted more global suppliers of machinery and equipment to increase their presence in the domestic market, especially through major industry exhibitions such as VietnamPlas 2018, held in Ho Chi Minh City from October 4 to 7.
Large market potential
According to the Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA), for more than a decade, the plastics industry has consistently achieved double-digit growth in both raw material imports and plastic product exports. This highlights the strong potential of the domestic plastics sector.
VPA statistics show that in 2017, Vietnam’s plastic exports exceeded USD 3 billion, up 17.6% compared to 2016. Key export markets recorded strong growth, including South Korea (up 30%), ASEAN (up 24.2%), and Japan (up 14.8%). Major markets such as the EU maintained stable growth, while exports to China surged by 61.5%.
In the first six months of the following year, data from the General Department of Customs indicated that plastic exports reached approximately USD 1.43 billion, up 20% year-on-year. Vietnamese plastic products were exported to more than 35 markets worldwide, including demanding markets such as Japan, which accounted for 21.8% of total export value (USD 312.47 million, up 15.7%). The U.S. accounted for 15.6% (USD 223.73 million, up 22.8%), the Netherlands 5.3% (USD 75.88 million, up 17.5%), and South Korea USD 75.32 million (up 30.4%).
In terms of competitiveness, industry experts note that while plastic businesses were once mostly small-scale family or private companies, they are now expanding and growing steadily with deeper international integration.
Domestic plastic companies are increasingly able to compete with foreign firms and imported products. Many are investing in technology, expanding factories, and collaborating with international partners to develop products for both local consumption and export.
The export market still holds great potential, offering many opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises. To remain competitive, experts suggest that manufacturers should invest in modern machinery, especially energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies.
Strong attraction for international brands
With these advantages, Vietnam has seen increasing participation from foreign companies supplying machinery, equipment, and raw materials for the plastics industry.
Through trade fairs and exhibitions, international exhibitors can connect with local manufacturers to supply equipment or find distribution partners in Vietnam. Events like the Vietnam International Plastics and Rubber Industry Exhibition (VietnamPlas) have grown significantly in both scale and the number of major global brands participating.
After more than a decade, VietnamPlas has established itself as a leading trade exhibition in Vietnam’s plastics and rubber industry, showcasing advanced machinery and technologies. VietnamPlas 2018 attracted 520 leading suppliers from 14 countries and territories, including Belgium, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, Poland, Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Covering over 18,000 m², the exhibition presented advanced production solutions and provided industry insights from experts.
At the event, companies such as WAPS introduced energy-saving injection molding machines, Polystar showcased recycling machines and film-blowing systems, Lung Meng presented high-performance film-blowing machines, and Haitian introduced the latest CNC technologies. Raw material supplier Persian Gulf Polymer and LS Mtron also brought advanced solutions to enhance product quality and production efficiency.
With strong participation from major global brands, VietnamPlas 2018 was expected to continue serving as a leading trade platform, meeting the needs of manufacturers and supporting the development of Vietnam’s plastics industry.
The exhibition was organized by Vinexad in collaboration with Yorkers, with support from the Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA), Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA), Ho Chi Minh City Plastics & Rubber Association (RPMA), Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry (VAMI), and several international organizations.
In addition, a specialized seminar on October 5 focused on “Plastic waste status and recycling investment in Vietnam,” organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related organizations.
