Sustainable Furniture Manufacturing: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in the Cambodian Market

The furniture sector holds considerable importance in the global economy as this sector has a direct influence on related industries such as companies operating in forestry, the textile industry and the raw material sector (e.g. metal, fabric, or plastic). Besides having a major impact on the economy, it also has a negative impact on the environment, due to the high volume of needed raw materials, a significant need for energy in the production process and large amounts of waste resulting from the manufacturing procedures. This research examines the furniture supply chain with a particular emphasis on Cambodia and focuses on potential sustainable solutions. The purpose is to explore the incorporation of environmentally friendly and socially responsible principles across all stages of the furniture manufacturing process. By examining the current practices, the challenges and opportunities in Cambodia's furniture industry are explored and recommendations to relevant stakeholders are provided.