Meeting out certified companies: VRG Dongwha

20 March 2024 News

In 2008, Dongwha International, a world-leading Korean company in the wood panel industry, and the Vietnam Rubber Group, a state-owned company with a leading role in Vietnam’s rubber plantation and processing industry, came together to form VRG Dongwha. VRG Dongwha is now the largest MDF wood panel producing company in Vietnam.

VRG Dongwha uses by-products, such as small branches and tree roots, from rubber, melaleuca, pine, and cashew trees to produce Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) and High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) wood panels. Nearly 50% of the rubber wood comes from the PEFC-certified Vietnam Rubber Group, with the rest coming from the area surrounding the factory. 

The company achieved PEFC chain of custody certification in February 2023. Today we speak to Mr Truong Quang Thuan, Head of the Quality Assurance Department, about the importance of sustainable forest management and why the company chose PEFC certification.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I have worked at VRG Dongwha for over 10 years in production and quality management positions. As Head of the Quality Assurance Department, I am responsible for ensuring that product quality complies with standards and laws, whilst meeting customer needs. I am also a nature lover. 

What led VRG Dongwha to choose PEFC certification?

We learnt about PEFC through our large customers in the US and European markets. These customers are very interested in sustainable forest management, and we could see that the demand for PEFC-certified products was increasing. More locally, the Vietnamese government is also encouraging companies to work towards sustainable forest management. 

At the same time, our wood material suppliers obtained PEFC certification themselves, which also encouraged us to use PEFC-certified material sources and to begin planning for our own PEFC certification. 

How has PEFC certification benefited your company and helped you achieve your goals?

PEFC certification helps us contribute to sustainable forest management goals, to meet social responsibility, and to diversify our products, making VRG Dongwha more competitive and professional.

At VRG Dongwha, we have always cared about the goal of sustainable forest management, and achieving PEFC certification is a way for VRG Dongwha to show our commitments towards sustainable forest management.

Finally, what does it mean for you personally to work for a company that takes its responsibility for forests seriously?

Working for a company that values its responsibility towards sustainable forest management makes me feel proud. Together with the company, I contribute to sustainable, socially responsible forest management and compliance with national and international laws.

I am proud to work for VRG Dongwha. Every day the company uses a large amount of input materials, around 3,000 tons. As a person who loves nature, I always expect sustainable forest development to be carried out. When VRG Dongwha achieved PEFC certification, I felt very happy to be part of the company’s effort towards sustainable forest management.