Vietnamese exporters face pressure to improve recycled-material supply, food-grade recycling, certification and traceability as the EU’s PPWR takes effect.
Vietnam is working to address recycling and packaging-industry bottlenecks as exporters face stricter requirements under the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The regulation covers the entire packaging lifecycle, including design, material selection, recyclability, collection, recycling and chemical controls.
The PPWR entered into force in 2025 and becomes applicable across the EU from August 12, 2026. One of its major requirements is improved packaging recyclability, with packaging required to meet progressively higher recyclability standards from 2030.
A particularly important issue for the plastics industry is the requirement for recycled content. From 2030, certain plastic packaging must contain minimum amounts of recycled material. For example, the regulation sets a 30% recycled-content target for PET packaging, while other plastic packaging categories have different requirements. The recycled material must come from post-consumer waste.
Vietnamese companies currently face shortages of high-quality recycled plastics, particularly materials suitable for food-contact applications. The country also lacks sufficiently developed domestic standards and certification systems for food-grade recycled packaging, creating challenges for exporters trying to demonstrate compliance.
The challenge is especially significant for seafood exporters, whose products often require multilayer plastic packaging to withstand freezing and maintain food safety. Replacing virgin plastic with recycled material or switching to simpler packaging structures requires careful consideration of performance, hygiene and regulatory requirements.
Beyond material selection, Vietnamese exporters will need stronger traceability and packaging data systems. Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and other information requirements could become increasingly important, meaning manufacturers will need reliable data covering materials, recycling content and packaging performance.
The regulations therefore create opportunities for Vietnam’s recycling and polymer industries. Greater demand for certified post-consumer recycled PET, recycled plastics, food-grade recycling technologies and advanced sorting systems could encourage investment in domestic recycling infrastructure.
For packaging manufacturers, the transition also creates opportunities to develop mono-material structures, recyclable packaging, recycled-content products and more traceable packaging solutions. Companies that adapt early could strengthen their ability to supply European customers and remain competitive in international markets.
Overall, the EU’s PPWR is pushing Vietnam’s packaging sector beyond simply changing packaging materials. It is encouraging a broader transformation involving recycling infrastructure, polymer quality, certification, traceability and circular packaging design—areas that could become increasingly important for Vietnam’s export competitiveness.