On the occasion of the Archroma Group CEO’s visit to Vietnam to expand the business model and develop strategic solutions for the Vietnamese market in the field of chemicals and dyes for the textile industry, Vietnam Textiles Garment & Fashion Magazine had a interview with Mr. Rajiv Sharma – Global CEO of Archroma Group – about several solutions and development directions for sustainable dyeing. Also attending the interview were Mr. Gautam Dhirendra Singh – Vice President of Product, Marketing & Strategy, Textile Effects Division – and Mr. Juan José Suarez Luyo – Vietnam Sales Director, Textile Effects Division, Archroma Group.
It is known that after Archroma-Textile Effects of Huntsman Corporation M&A in 2023, Archroma officially established Archroma Vietnam Co., Ltd. two years later. What was the reason behind Archroma’s decision to open a company in Vietnam? Is it because this is a highly potential market for the textile- dyeing sector and supporting industries, Sir?
Vietnam is one of the most important markets for Archroma and we have been operating here for over 25 years (going way back to our time as Clariant). The country is a major supplier to retailers around the world and fast emerging as one of the top garment exporters after China. We see huge growth potential in the Vietnamese textile and garment industry, underpinned by a skilled workforce, a stable political environment and policies that support the growth. Sustainability and technological advancement are also driving the sector’s future.
We are deeply committed to growing our operations here by building local expertise, and providing local services such as laboratory, warehouse and chemical production. We are also working closely with many of world’s top textile and apparel companies and brands in Vietnam to add value to their businesses through innovation and sustainability.
As you mentioned, Archroma plans to expand the business network and market in Vietnam by providing local services as laboratory, local warehouse and local chemical production… Does this mean that Archroma’s goal in Vietnam is to promote and support the textile-dyeing sector, which still holds significant potential in Vietnam?
As the world moves towards more circular business models, Vietnam has the opportunity to embrace cleaner and more innovative ways of working and open up new markets as a textile and apparel leader.
Archroma Vietnam will continue to play a vital role in our global operations, helping customers reduce the environmental footprint of textile production while enhancing product quality.
Our portfolio of advanced chemical and dye technologies is designed to minimize water and energy consumption, improve resource efficiency and plant productivity, and enhance end-article performance and longevity.
Some of the technologies we have developed are making a real impact in how brands and mills approach sustainability in Vietnam. For example,
- AVITERA® SE GENERATION NEXT dyes gives brands and mills greater access to sustainable dyeing that is more economically viable
- Eco-advanced DIRESUL® EVOLUTION BLACK which delivers the cleanest sulfur black coloration, outstanding resource savings and on-trend shades and wash down effects
- Denim Halo concept that has a patented application process that combines an innovative pretreatment with our unique sulfur and indigo dyestuffs for laser friendly and easy washable denim, and
- Aniline-free DENISOL® PURE INDIGO 30 liq which is a breakthrough solution that gives designers and brands the possibility of producing indigo-dyed denim with less impact on the environment.
How does Archroma plan to implement this strategy in Vietnam? What other services will Archroma provide to customers in future with new resources?
Our strategy to grow our business in Vietnam is anchored in three key areas. These initiatives reflect our long-term commitment to the market and our confidence in its continued growth potential.
First, we are investing in a new technical center in Vietnam that will allow us to work more closely with our customers on formulation support and application development. The local laboratory will support our customers to develop new colors and effects in a faster way as it is required by the textile market. Our technical experts will be supported by our regional and global team.
Second, we are strengthening our supply footprint. In the coming months we will start the operation of our local warehouse in HCMC, which will enhance our ability to respond quickly and reliably, improving the supply leadtime of our products and offering a door-to-door service for our customers.
Lastly, we’re dedicating more efforts to support the global brands. Considering how important is the export market in Vietnam and the presence of global brands offices in this country, our Brand Marketing team will work closely with the brands and align the global standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
In the textile dyeing industry, what kinds of products and technologies will Archroma introduce to promote sustainable textile manufacturing? Will Archroma have any plans to support Vietnamese textile enterprises in terms of manpower and technology as they work toward developing a more sustainable textile industry?
The textile industry is being confronted with critical industry shifts, such as resource savings and circularity, and the need for brands to find a new way to bring their products to life while remaining competitive and maintaining article aesthetics and functional performance.
At Archroma, we recognize that sustainability is a multifaceted and complex issue hence we have designed our solutions such that they are simple, scalable, interconnected.
Our recently launched Super Systems+ is a good example. Combining innovative processing solutions and intelligent effects into powerful end-to-end systems tailored to different end-uses and sustainability goals, brands and mills can select the impact they want to achieve in line with their priorities.
In terms of resource efficiency, we have smart systems like the Archroma ONE WAY+ program that can help improve sustainability and operational efficiency by utilizing tools like the ONE WAY Impact Calculator and a Sustainability Improvement Program.
Could you share what percentage of the global market share Archroma currently holds in dyeing chemicals for the textile industry?
The strategic acquisition of the Textile Effects division of Huntsman in 2023 has positioned Archroma as a global leader in the industry, offering a comprehensive product range that addresses a wide array of needs. We now have the industry’s most extensive portfolio of products and technologies, ranging from dyes and chemicals to digital inks, end-to-end tailored solutions, and more.
While we are unable to share details of our market share, I can say that we are leaders in many of the markets that we operate in.
As a long-standing partner of Vinatex, what are Archroma’s expectations for this partnership in the coming years, especially as Vinatex is aiming to complete the supply chain and become “one-stop shop” for all customers?
The long-standing partnership between Vinatex and Archroma is a testament to the commitment to excellence that have defined the collaboration since the outset.
What makes this partnership especially powerful is our shared vision of leading the industry toward a more sustainable future. Both Vinatex and Archroma are deeply invested in innovation, operational excellence and reducing environmental impact, so the strategic alignment sets the stage for enhanced collaboration in the years ahead.
We look forward to continuing this journey together, building on our strong foundation to support Vinatex’s goals while advancing progress for the industry as a whole.
We sincerely thank the CEO!
