Unilever Vietnam is ramping up its investment in its manufacturing operations in Ho Chi Minh City, with plans to raise capital for its Cu Chi factory to nearly USD 120 million. This represents an additional investment of USD 109 million aimed at building a new liquid sorbitol production line, according to a recent environmental impact assessment report.
Located within the Northwest Cu Chi Industrial Park, the 11-hectare factory currently produces a range of personal care products, including toothpaste under brands such as P/S, Close Up, and Pepsodent. The upcoming expansion will enhance the company’s self-sufficiency in raw material supply by adding a new production line with an annual capacity of 14,000 tons of liquid sorbitol – a key ingredient in toothpaste production. This output will be used exclusively for internal manufacturing, with Unilever confirming that it has no plans to sell the sorbitol on the market.
The timeline for the expansion includes facility renovation and infrastructure construction between April and December 2025, equipment installation from October 2025 to February 2026, and trial operations starting February 2026. The factory is expected to officially launch the new line by April 2026.
By domesticating sorbitol production, Unilever hopes to improve flexibility, mitigate risks tied to global supply chain disruptions, control input quality, and reduce operational costs. This move reflects not only Unilever’s long-term commitment to the Vietnamese market but also aligns with Vietnam’s broader industrial development goals of moving from basic processing to high-value manufacturing.
(Source: The Investor, VCCI)
