At the Schott Ceran Vietnam Connect event held in Hanoi on October 31, the company highlighted the huge potential of its best-selling glass-ceramic cook top panels and the growing demand for high-quality, energy-efficient kitchen appliances in Vietnam.

The company sees Vietnam as a potential market for its Schott Ceran product line. The country is undergoing a significant transition from gas cooking to electric, and consumers are increasingly looking for the highest quality whilst also saving energy.

Christiane Donndorf, Schott Ceran's senior project lead for marketing in Asia explained, “Vietnam is a promising market for glass-ceramic cook tops from an established brand that are innovative and of the highest quality level.”

“Vietnamese home cooks value nutritious meals for their loved ones, but they also face time constraints when cooking and cleaning. They need cook tops that are durable, energy efficient, and easy to use. As such, quality and convenience are two key factors in the buying process,” added Donndorf.

"Another interesting feature of the Vietnamese market is the popularity of hybrid cook tops, which combine induction and radiant heating. This is quite different from other markets in the region, where single-technology cook tops are more dominant," she said.

“For that reason, Schott is working closely with its Vietnamese partners to develop the best glass-ceramic, which perfectly fits the requirements of the local market,” Donndorf concluded.

At present, a number of fake Schott Ceran cook top products are on sale in Vietnam at a bargain price. These low-quality imitations have poor resistance to heat and mechanical stress, meaning they perform poorly and fail easily.

To combat fake products, the company recently signed a MoU with the Directorate of Market Surveillance (DMS). As part of the MoU, the DMS will share information on policies and regulations, while Schott AG will assist in the investigation and handling of violations to improve efficiency.

It also regularly conducts training workshops for DMS officials to help them distinguish between genuine and fake Schott Ceran products.

Dzung Pham, special counsel of Baker McKenzie Vietnam (BMVN) stated, “Counterfeit Schott Ceran products not only harm the company's reputation, they also pose a serious risk to the health and safety of Vietnamese consumers. As its legal representative in Vietnam, BMVN will continue to work closely with Schott AG and the Vietnamese authorities to enforce trademark rights and to combat any infringement or abuse.”

Katja Dybowski, director sales for Ceran Asia at Schott AG said, "We are committed to working closely with the DMS and other Vietnamese authorities to combat fake products and the associated risks that they pose to consumers."

“We will also strive to raise awareness about the dangers of fake products and encourage the purchase of only genuine Schott Ceran cook tops that are certified by the company and its local partners.”

German-based speciality glass company Schott AG is the proud owner of Schott Ceran – the world’s best-selling glass-ceramic cook top panel brand for both induction and radiant heating, which is even available with gas in some other markets.

The panels are made from natural materials such as quartz sand and aluminium oxide, without using any arsenic or antimony in the production process – both are harmful to the environment and to human health.

Since the cooking surface is only 4mm thick and heat-permeable, the heat can reach the pot or pan with little to no energy loss, resulting in shorter cooking times and up to an 80 per cent energy saving. With its products, Schott Ceran leads the way in the switch from gas to electric cooking, increasing sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.