HEINEKEN Vietnam believes circular economy creates sustainable values in Vietnam

• At the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum 2020, HEINEKEN Vietnam shared its circular economy model that has created economic, social and environmental impact across its value chain.
• HEINEKEN Vietnam set up ambitious 2025 targets under its long-term sustainable development strategy to contribute continuous growth in Vietnam.

Hanoi, December 10th, 2020 – Today, at the Plenary Session of the Vietnam Corporate Sustainability Forum 2020 (VCSF), HEINEKEN Vietnam shared its best practices of applying the circular economy model, in order to motivate the business community to apply feasible solutions to enhance their sustainable development capability in the context of new challenges.

The event was organized by Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the United Nations Development Programme in Viet Nam (UNDP). Themed, "Sustainable Development in the New Decade: Turning Challenges Into Opportunities," VCSF 2020 was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and representatives of governmental agencies, international organizations, and the business community.

At the forum, HEINEKEN Vietnam shared its best practice of the RESOLVE model (abbreviated as: REgenerate; Share; Optimize; Loop; Virtualize and Exchange), a framework under circular economy. The model uses a holistic approach to create sustainable environmental value such as reducing carbon emissions, protecting water resources and utilizing resources:

• REgenerate: 5 out of 6 breweries use renewable thermal energy, with no carbon emissions
• Sharing circularity practices amongst all employees through Green Office program
• Optimizing truck sizes, improving truck standards and utilizing trains to reduce 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions
• Loop: Achieving nearly zero waste (99%) by reusing or recycling waste or by-products. Both beer bottles and crates have a “two-way” system where they are sent into the market and then returned to the brewery to be sanitized before being reused several times. Glass bottles can be used up to twenty times and crates last up to five to ten years before being broken down and sold back to glass and plastic suppliers, respectively.
• Virtualize:  Embarking on digital transformation in business operations
• Exchange: Switching into 100% green fridges, with energy-efficient fans, LED illumination, are hydrofluorocarbon-free, and equipped with an energy management system. Saving energy also means fewer costs in business for our customers.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, General Secretary of VCCI, Vice President cum General Secretary of VBCSD said: "Regardless of business size or model, circular economy is the key to success and sustainable development for enterprises in Vietnam. We appreciate HEINEKEN Vietnam's pioneering role and efforts to amplify the circular economy model and inspire the business community on the benefits of sustainability practices. We look forward to more practical examples like the ones shared by HEINEKEN Vietnam today to further boost innovative circular thinking in Vietnam.”

In 2019 HEINEKEN Vietnam through applying circular economy model has supported 212,000 jobs (directly and indirectly) and contributed 0.95% of Vietnam's GDP, through its value chain including VND5.7 trillion spent on local businesses by sourcing almost all of its packaging materials from local suppliers.

“At HEINEKEN Vietnam, we believe pursuing sustainability is the right thing to do not only for our business, but for the country we operate in. Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and we’ve seen the drastic effects recently with the strong storms and extreme flooding in the central region. We have been embedding our sustainability agenda called ‘Brewing a Better Vietnam’ in our business for many years and set our ambitious target to achieve zero waste, 100% water balanced and use 100% renewable energy by 2025," said Ms. Holly Bostock, Corporate Affairs Director, HEINEKEN Vietnam.

For the past four consecutive years, HEINEKEN Vietnam has been honored by VCCI as one of the most sustainable companies in Vietnam.

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About HEINEKEN Vietnam

HEINEKEN Vietnam is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN, the world’s most international brewer. Originated in the Netherlands, this family-owned business with a history of over 150 years, brews and distributes over 300 beer & cider brands in more than 190 countries.

HEINEKEN Vietnam was established in 1991 and operates six breweries in Hanoi, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, Tien Giang and eleven offices across Vietnam.

From humble beginnings with only 20 employees in Vietnam, HEINEKEN Vietnam is now the second largest brewer in Vietnam with more than 3,200 employees. HEINEKEN Vietnam makes a significant annual economic contribution to Vietnam, amounting to approximately 0.95% of the nation’s total GDP.

In Vietnam, HEINEKEN produces and distributes Heineken®, Tiger, Larue, BIVINA, Bia Viet, and Strongbow cider.

In 2017, 2018 and 2019, HEINEKEN Vietnam was recognized among the top most sustainable companies in Vietnam by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and as a best place to work in Asia (in 2018, 2019 and 2020) by HR Asia Magazine, one of Asia’s leading publications for HR professionals.

More information about HEINEKEN Vietnam is available on HEINEKEN Vietnam’s website: http://heineken-vietnam.com.vn/

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For more information, please contact:

Ms. Nguyen Huong Mai
Head of Communications
Heineken Vietnam Brewery Limited Company
Email: mai.nguyenhuong@heineken.com
Telephone: +84 28 3822 2755