The Consumers Market in Asia
In Vietnam trends show that consumptions of soft drinks, beers, coffees and milk products are steadily growing (6 percent in 2008, forecasted 5 percent in 2009 and 9.3 percent in 2010). (Business Monitor International, “Vietnam Food and Drink report Q1 2009”, published on 11th February 09). This attractive investment opportunity is mainly driven by a growing population, an overall improving standard of living and a rising health-conscious consumption.
With an annual growth rate of 18 percent, the country’s beer market should reach 3.5 billion litres by 2010, the news agency quoted Phan Chi Dung, the director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s light industry department. To support this development, Saigon Beer Corporation (Sabeco) kicked off construction of a VND 400 billion (USD 22 m) project, to produce 50 million litres of beer a year. Later the capacity will double to 100 million litres. (VietNamNet, “Saigon-Phu Ly brewery under construction”, 10th March 09). Sabeco & Hanoi Beverage Corporation (Habeco) are pushing to raise their share of the local market, targeting outputs of 1 billion and 900 million litres of beer by 2010.
In the Philippines the value sales of alcoholic drinks is forecasted to increase by 51.8 percent until 2012 and 30 percent for soft drinks (Business Monitor International, Philippines Food & Drink Report 2009, published 2008).
Similar tendencies on sales of non-essential food and beverage products are also observed in Thailand and Malaysia. Nestlé has reported above-target double-digits results thanks to acquisitions and divestitures in SEA, achieving 12.2 percent organic growth and 3 percent real internal growth. Thai Union Group (TUG) and Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF) are optimistic about reaching their targeted objectives for 2009 of USD 57.2 million (Business Monitor, Thailand Food & Drink Report Q1 2009).
Raising Environmental Consciousness
Consequently greenfield projects, expansions, as well as mergers/ acquisitions and JVs are developing across the region. These projects mainly aim greater production facilities nevertheless the industrials are also taking a step to carefully invest in efficient wastewater treatment facilities. At the same time, governments are increasingly fighting off water scarcity and pollution. Authorities are showing determination in law enforcements and more frequent inspections, especially regarding the wastewater discharges.
Considering the current context of Asian emerging countries’ fast growing markets, industries aim to meet consumers’ increasing demands by operating more sound and high quality businesses. The most convincing benefit of greener production is its ability to reduce the consumption of resources and materials. With the increasing cost of raw materials, energy and water, no company can afford to lose these resources.
Therefore, Food and Beverage actors are putting more efforts by investing in cost efficient effluent and sludge treatment, reclaim and reuse solutions. Main international players are already developing long-term environmental sustainability approach by opting for new solutions minimizing their environmental impact while achieving financial benefits by using appropriate technologies. As example, one of the largest soft-drink companies is studying a project to convert 80 percent of its plants worldwide into “green plants”.
Innovative Wastewater Treatment Technologies
Innovative wastewater treatment technological solutions are available to answer the demands of the Food & Beverage industry. Today, more and more emphasis is being placed on low operational costs, small footprint, and biogas from waste and low sludge production.
Because they excel in these areas, Biothane® UASB and EGSB technologies have dominated the market of anaerobic biological industrial effluent treatment worldwide. These technologies are highly efficient and cost effective biological methods to reduce pollution and create energy with a minimum of environmental impact.
Both technologies utilize anaerobic bacteria growing in a granular form without use of any carrier materials. The anaerobic process enables removal of COD by converting it into biogas (= methane + carbon dioxide) at low operational costs and with a very compact plant design.
Biothane technologies have been applied worldwide in the food and beverage industry, cumulating 500 references in over 30 countries worldwide. In the Asia Pacific region Biothane is well established with offices in China, Indonesia and Singapore to cover the region for cost efficient localized design and project services to satisfy the needs of the Food and Beverage industry in this region. “Based on these trends, Biothane foresees a dynamic future for the food & beverage industry in the SEA market which will offer high prospects for the applications of advanced wastewater treatment technologies for this industry”, said Michel Otten, Biothane Managing Director.
