URC Vietnam gets 4th sustainable firm award

MANILA, Philippines — Gokongwei-owned Universal Robina Corp. has been recognized in Vietnam as a top sustainable enterprise.

This marks the fourth year that URC received such recognition.

URC Vietnam was in the top 100 Sustainable Development Enterprises in Vietnam as compiled by the Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD) under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

URC had to fully meet the rigorous screening criteria of Vietnam’s Corporate Sustainability Index, which evaluates companies in the areas of economy, environment and society.

URC Vietnam business unit general manager Jai Gamboa said the recognition highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to socio-economic growth.

“This is an acknowledgment of the dedication of all our personnel for the firm to complete the screening requirements and establish a sustainable and strong business,” Gamboa said.

URC is one of the Philippines’ largest food and beverage companies. It has been in Vietnam for 20 years, starting as a trading company in 2003.

It now has five plants across the country: three in Binh Duong, one in Quang Ngai and one in Hanoi where it produces the ready-to-drink tea C2, energy drink Rong Do, Cream-O and Magic biscuits, Dynamite candies, Jack ‘n Jill Puff Corn and Chikki snacks.

Besides being recognized for its sustainability efforts, URC Vietnam was also among the 33 organizations that were given awards by the president of Binh Duong People Committee for supporting children in Binh Duong province in 2022.

The award was given to URC Vietnam from VBCSD by Tran Tuan Anh, head of economic committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Võ Tun Nhân, deputy minister of natural resources and environment, and Le Van Thanh - deputy minister of labor, war invalids and social affairs and VCCI chairman Pham Tan Cong.

In the region, URC’s Vietnam subsidiary is at the forefront of URC’s ongoing sustainability efforts. In 2019, it co-founded the packaging recycling organization, PRO Vietnam, a voluntary not-for-profit initiative to improve packaging collection and recycling.

The company aims to significantly reduce energy and water usage in manufacturing, promote responsible sourcing of key ingredients and achieve plastic neutrality.