Pine
resin makes inroads in lucrative US market
(24-05-2006)
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| A worker operates a pine
resin production line at Dinh Lap Farm in Lang Son Province. Viet Nam
recently exported its first consignment of processed pine resin to the
US. — VNA/VNS Photo Dinh Hue |
HA NOI — Viet Nam
recently exported its first consignment of processed pine resin to the US, which
local enterprises described as a breakthrough for the nation’s fledgling pine
resin production industry.
The Quang Ninh Pine
Company’s 36-tonne shipment, valued at US$70,000, was evidence of the great
potential for development in the sector, said Le Ngoc Quang, General Director of
the Pacific Ink Company.
American demand for
high-quality pine resin - a natural material obtained by distilling pine wood
and used to produce many products including ink, glue, and paint- is
substantial, given that the nation is a centre for the printing and chemical
industries.
US-based ink producers
relied on pine resin imported from China, South America and Indonesia, but are
increasingly gaining confidence in Vietnamese producers, Quang added.
Accordingly, the Quang
Ninh Pine Company said it plans to invest in an additional production facility
to take advantage of increasing demand.
Although Viet Nam’s
terrain and climate make it suitable for pine tree cultivation, it had not yet
made good use of the natural material, with average annual pine resin output a
modest of 8,000 tonnes, Quang said, adding that local producers have so far
exported their poorly processed pine resin at prices considerably much lower
than those to be expected on major markets such as the US.
If the industry is given
greater priority from the Government and authorities and favourable conditions
continue to develop, Viet Nam could easily produce more than 40,000 tonnes of
high-quality pine resin a year, bringing in about $70 million, he said.
This would not only
contribute to the State budget, but also create more local jobs and raise
incomes among pine growers, said Quang.
The nation’s first pine
resin export is marks the advent of a bright future for Viet Nam’s pine
cultivation sector, pine resin production, and printing ink industries, Quang
concluded. — VNS