The world’s biggest fine jewellery factory: How Pandora aims to make more and pollute less in Vietnam

Pandora, the world's leading jewellery brand, has unveiled its largest fine jewellery crafting facility in Vietnam, aiming to boost production while minimizing environmental impact. The Ho Chi Minh City factory, capable of producing up to 60 million pieces annually, will nearly double the company's manufacturing capacity.

CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier highlighted the facility's role in crafting all collections using a variety of materials and techniques. Pandora reported selling 112 million pieces in 2025, equivalent to more than three units per second, securing its position as the largest jewellery brand globally.

Investing $150 million (€132mn) in the Vietnam factory, Pandora plans to run it entirely on renewable electricity. The company also employs 100% recycled gold and silver in its production since 2024. According to expert Saleem H. Ali, lead researcher for critical minerals at the United Nations University, gold's circular economy potential is evident, as it doesn't oxidize and has survived millennia, as seen in ancient Egyptian pieces.

While Pandora aims to extend renewable electricity use to its suppliers, the company faces challenges in the growing jewellery market. Annual sales are expected to expand by 4.1% between 2025 and 2028, outpacing clothing growth. However, Pandora's expansion is threatened by US import tariffs, US economic uncertainty, and past labor disputes, such as a 2020 case in Thailand where union activity allegedly led to workers' dismissals.