KleanNara's Paperboard Exports to Vietnam Rise 21% as Company Expands Southeast Asia Presence

KleanNara is strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam emerging as a key growth market for its paperboard business amid rising demand for environmentally friendly packaging materials.

The company announced on June 8 that export volumes of paperboard from its Packaging Solution (PS) division to Vietnam increased by approximately 21% last year compared with 2021.

Since establishing a branch office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2022, KleanNara has developed a localized sales system aimed at improving responsiveness to customer needs and market conditions. The company said this approach has helped it expand business with existing customers while securing new buyers in the Vietnamese market.

Vietnam's demand for industrial packaging materials has continued to grow as global manufacturers expand production operations in the country. Companies including Heineken, Coca-Cola, Samsung and LG operate manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, contributing to demand for packaging across the food and beverage, electronics, and household goods sectors.

The market has also benefited from government-led initiatives promoting a circular economy and reducing plastic consumption, which have increased demand for paper-based packaging solutions. Local distributors are expanding the use of packaging materials made from paper and plant-based resources.

To capitalize on these trends, KleanNara is focusing on expanding sales of CCKB (Clay Coated Kraft Board), a high-value-added packaging paperboard. The company said CCKB provides enhanced strength, water resistance and printability compared with conventional paperboard, making it suitable for applications such as beverage carriers, home meal replacement (HMR) packaging and household product packaging.

A KleanNara representative said Vietnam is a strategic market due to its young population, growing role as a global manufacturing hub and ongoing transition toward eco-friendly packaging. The company plans to further strengthen its competitiveness in high-value-added packaging products while continuing to expand its presence across Southeast Asia and other international markets.