Lothamilk partners with SIG to expand reach across Vietnam with aseptic packs

05 Jun 2019 --- Originating in the Vietnamese tourist hub of Long Thanh, premium dairy producer Lothamilk Joint Stock Company is setting its sights on growth as it expands its portfolio of milk with aseptic technology and carton packs from SIG. Aseptic technology allows dairy products to be transported and stored without refrigeration, removing a common barrier for these products – especially in countries with a hot climate. With the use of SIG’s aseptic technology, they can also reap a significantly longer shelf life without refrigeration or preservatives.

Lothamilk’s brand of the same name – Lothamilk – has been a popular dairy brand for pasteurized products in Vietnam for more than 20 years. But due to the short shelf life of pasteurized products, Lothamilk was unable to expand its product presence throughout the country. The gentle aseptic process ensures the safe retention of vitamins, flavor and product quality, without the need for any preservatives.

Working closely with the expert team at SIG to find the best packaging solution to increase distribution throughout Vietnam, Lothamilk opted for a high-speed aseptic filling technology. The company opted for a filling machine to complement combiblocXSlim carton packs – filling 24,000 packs per hour, in nine different volumes from 80ml to 200ml.Lothamilk has been a popular dairy brand for pasteurized products in many Vietnam regions for more than 20 years. Credit: Lothamilk.

Emerging markets, such as Vietnam, undergo economic, social and environmental shifts continuously – and rapidly. This presents both a business opportunity to encourage growth with appropriate packaging designs, yet there is also an urgency to combine such packaging with environmental sustainability. Giving perishables longevity affords aseptic packaging quite a sustainable profile.

“Our close cooperation with SIG has helped us expand our portfolio with dairy products in aseptic carton packaging, which in turn has opened up many new opportunities for Lothamilk throughout Vietnam. Not only has it significantly increased our distribution, but it also helps us reach new consumers by adapting to their changing needs, building brand loyalty and securing long term profitability. Vietnamese families are now benefitting from the highest quality long-life UHT-products, in the most sustainable, convenient and safe packaging,” says Phat Ho, Deputy General Director from Lothamilk Joint Stock Company: 

The first Lothamilk UHT-products, available across Vietnam in combiblocXSlim 110ml and 180ml, will be Strawberry and Chocolate Milk, sweetened UHT milk as well as a reduced sugar option. The carton packs are suited for on-the-go consumption to fit in with busy lifestyles.

“It is good to see the tangible benefits Lothamilk is experiencing since making the economical, efficient and sustainable addition of our aseptic packaging solutions. Lothamilk is a new player in the UHT milk market and our flexible filling technology will ensure the company can bring new products to market quickly and efficiently, adapting to sudden market changes and consumer demands,” says Binh Hoang, Country Manager SIG Vietnam.

The aseptic packaging market holds great potential for the South Asian market, and particularly India, according to Ashwani Kumar Sharma, President & CEO, New Business Initiatives at India-based Uflex. The year on year growth registered for aseptic liquid packaging in the clusters of South Asian (SA) and South East Asian (SEA) and Oceania markets is promising, he explains: SA – 17-18 percent, SEA – 12 percent, Oceania – 15 percent, respectively. In the SA and SEA region, the volume of aseptic cartons is more than PET packaging in the Liquid Food Category, with approximately 40 billion carton packs, compared to approximately 28 billion PET packs, notes Sharma. 

Edited by Laxmi Haigh