Mr Santiphab Phomvihane, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

The launch event drew high-level participation from both national and international stakeholders, including Mr Santiphab Phomvihane, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Mr Manothong Vongsay, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce; Mrs Chanthakhone Bualaphanh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment; Mr Nicolai Prytz, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam and the Lao PDR; and Mr João Abecasis, Executive Vice President for Carlsberg Asia. Hosted by Mr Henrik Juel Andersen, Managing Director of Lao Brewery Company, the event highlighted strong investor confidence in Laos despite a backdrop of growing global geopolitical uncertainty, shifting trade dynamics and rising cost pressures affecting markets worldwide.

Mr Nicolai Prytz, Danish Ambassador to Vietnam and the Lao PDR.

Against a global landscape increasingly shaped by supply chain disruptions, energy volatility and evolving trade flows, the importance of strengthening domestic capability, improving production efficiency and investing in sustainable infrastructure has become more pronounced than ever. LDP1 represents the first phase of LBC’s comprehensive 10-year development plan, encompassing plant modernisation, infrastructure upgrades and a range of sustainability-driven initiatives, including advanced and future-ready water management systems designed to support long-term operational resilience.

Mr João Abecasis, Executive Vice President for Carlsberg Asia.

The expansion comes at a particularly opportune time, as demand for carbonated soft drinks and drinking water in Laos has grown significantly in recent years, driven largely by a young and expanding population. At the core of the project is a state-of-the-art high-speed integrated production line capable of producing up to 45,000 bottles per hour, allowing for flexible packaging across both cans and PET bottles within a single streamlined system. This technological advancement enhances operational efficiency, boosts labour productivity and enables tighter control over production costs, thereby strengthening LBC’s long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.

With a total investment of €50.2 million (approximately LAK 1.18 trillion), LDP1 represents a substantial contribution to the national economy. The project is expected to generate wide-ranging benefits, including the creation of employment opportunities across the value chain, increased tax contributions to the Government and improved supply chain resilience. By reinforcing local manufacturing capacity, LBC is also helping to reduce reliance on imports while positioning itself as a stronger and more sustainable player in the domestic and regional market.

The LDP1 launching ceremony was held in Vientiane on 9 April 2026.

Sustainability lies at the heart of the expansion. The project integrates advanced technologies aimed at reducing water, electricity and heat consumption per unit of production, while also lowering carbon emissions through more efficient and localised operations. These efforts reflect LBC’s commitment to responsible growth and its alignment with Laos’ national priorities for sustainable development and environmental protection.

In addition, LBC continues to uphold internationally recognised standards through certifications such as ISO9001:2015, ISO22000:2018, ISO14001:2015 and ISO45001:2018, ensuring excellence across quality management, food safety, environmental stewardship and occupational health and safety. The recent adoption of the global GS1 barcode system further enhances traceability, improves supply chain transparency and strengthens export readiness, positioning the company in line with global manufacturing and trade practices.

The strong presence of senior government representatives alongside international partners at the launch underscores the depth of collaboration between Laos, Denmark and global investors. As one of the largest Danish investments in the country, Lao Brewery Company stands as a testament to a long-standing partnership built on trust, shared value and mutual growth. Supported by a clear 10-year business strategy, LDP1 includes infrastructure designed to sustain production well beyond 2030 and reflects the enduring strength of LBC’s partnership with PepsiCo and its alignment with Carlsberg Group’s regional ambitions.

Speaking at the event, Mr Santiphab Phomvihane emphasised that the investment represents not only a significant milestone for the company but also a strong signal of investor confidence in Laos’ economic environment, highlighting the importance of public–private partnerships in driving sustainable development.

 Mr Henrik Juel Andersen noted that LDP1 goes beyond expansion, representing a long-term commitment to enhancing capability, improving efficiency and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s progress. Meanwhile, Mr João Abecasis reaffirmed Laos’ strategic importance within Carlsberg’s growth plans in Asia, underlining the company’s dedication to strengthening its regional presence while supporting sustainable economic growth.

KPL