Vietnam sets 2030-2045 roadmap to merge small paper mills

Vietnam's prime minister has approved a strategy for the paper industry to 2045 (Decision 2082/QĐ-TTg, dated 2 November 2026) that from 2030 encourages pulp, packaging paper, printing and writing paper lines below 5,000 tonnes per year to restructure or merge and relocate into dedicated industrial zones. From 2040 the threshold rises to 20,000 tonnes per year for those grades, while tissue stays at 5,000 tonnes and high-grade coated and speciality papers are exempt from the capacity limits.

Why this mattersA capacity-based consolidation push could squeeze small Vietnamese packaging-paper and pulp producers and reshape supply for converters sourcing locally.

• Decision 2082/QĐ-TTg was signed by Vietnam's prime minister on 2 November 2026.
• From 2030, mills making pulp, packaging paper, printing and writing paper below 5,000 tonnes/year are encouraged to merge or relocate.
• From 2040, the threshold for those product lines rises to 20,000 tonnes/year; tissue stays at 5,000 tonnes/year.
• High-grade coated paper and speciality paper lines are exempt from the capacity thresholds.
• The strategy encourages at least three dedicated paper industrial zones in Vietnam's north, centre and south.
• Vietnam targets a post-use paper recovery rate above 60% by 2030.

Relevant to you? Yes No