New technology helps businesses increase value
In the context of fierce competition and global integration, many Vietnamese enterprises are making efforts to restructure, apply new technology and digital transformation to improve production capacity and increase product value. Two typical examples are Quang Ngai Sugar Joint Stock Company (QNS) and Dung Quat Oil Refinery under Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company (BSR).
At QNS, science and technology have become a pillar in the development strategy. Talking to Lao Dong, Mr. Vo Thanh Dang - General Director of QNS said that the enterprise currently owns 17 member units, with a diverse product chain from sugar, beer, candy, mineral water to Vinasoy soy milk.
The highlight of QNS's development strategy is the effective exploitation of the value chain from sugarcane. In the Gia Lai raw material area with nearly 37,000 hectares, the company has applied synchronous mechanization, researched new sugarcane varieties, supplemented soil nutrients with data analysis technology, and even cooperated with Japanese enterprises to forecast weather for cultivation. Thanks to that, the average sugarcane yield reached 77 tons/ha, aiming for over 100 tons/ha when comprehensively applying mechanical engineering.
Not stopping there, the QNS also develops a circular economic model: sugarcane is used as fuel for power generation, honey is leachate to produce Pethanol, mud and ashes return to the fields to make organic fertilizer. This closed production chain both increases economic value and reduces emissions to the environment. The An Khe Biomass Power Plant with a capacity of 95 MW has issued more than 200 million kWh to the national grid per year, expected to increase to 135 MW in the coming period.
At BSR, speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Cao Tuan Si - Director of Dung Quat Oil Refinery said that technological innovation and digital transformation are also the keys to improving operational efficiency. Dung Quat Oil Refinery has a capacity of 6.5 million tons/year and has currently processed more than 100 million tons of crude oil since its operation. In the period of 2020 - 2025, the enterprise will focus on initiatives to optimize production, research and application of new technologies and deploy a modern management system. BSR has completed an integrated ERP system, connecting all production, finance, human resources, maintenance, and logistics sectors. At the same time, businesses apply AI, Big Data, Digital Twins to build a "smart refining factory" model, allowing forecasting crude oil demand, optimizing costs and increasing equipment mining productivity. These solutions significantly reduce energy consumption, reduce maintenance costs and extend the operating cycle.
In addition, BSR is oriented to develop clean and sustainable energy: produce SAF aviation fuel, research green hydrogen, recycle plastic into fuel, recover CO2 for reuse. This is considered a strategic step, both meeting environmental requirements and opening a new market in the energy industry.
Thanks to the strong application of science and technology, both QNS and BSR have maintained revenue growth, enhanced their position in the industry, and created products with high added value and environmental friendliness.
Difficulties still exist and expectations for policies to resolve them
In addition to outstanding achievements, businesses are still facing many challenges. Mr. Vo Thanh Dang frankly acknowledged: "Located in the Central region, facing fierce competition with foreign corporations and major economic centers, if not invested in science and technology, businesses would have a hard time survive as today". According to him, although the QNS has invested heavily in technological innovation, it still needs clear policy mechanisms, especially decrees and guiding circulars to promote businesses to develop more strongly.
At BSR, Mr. Tran Hai Ninh - Director of the Innovation Center said that the biggest problem for the unit at present is human resources. New technology requires a team of highly qualified engineers and experts to operate, but the attraction and training of quality human resources is still limited. At the same time, the implementation of new policies often faces difficulties, causing the innovation process to slow down compared to expectations.
From a management perspective, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MTS) clearly recognizes the key role of MSC in elevating businesses. Speaking with Lao Dong, Mr. Nguyen Dac Binh Minh - Deputy Director of the Institute of Technology Application (Ministry of Science and Technology) affirmed that if Vietnam does not master the technology, it will always be in the processing position, making it difficult to participate deeply in the global value chain. On the contrary, when mastering technology, businesses not only increase product value but also reduce dependence on the FDI sector.
According to Mr. Minh, to promote innovation, there needs to be an open policy environment and strong enough financial resources. The establishment of a Technology Innovation Fund and a Public adventure Investment Fund will help nurture research projects with many risks but great potential for breakthroughs. In addition, the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation will be an important tool, creating a legal corridor for the operating fund, while adding tax and credit incentives, encouraging businesses to invest heavily in R&D.
According to research, in the locality, Quang Ngai is also trying to accompany businesses. Mr. Nguyen Tan Liem - Director of the Department of Science and Technology of Quang Ngai province said that one of the key tasks is to accompany and listen to businesses to promptly remove difficulties, and at the same time advise the province to make recommendations to the Central Government. According to him, digital transformation and innovation are only successful when businesses are truly the subject, so the locality is focusing on implementing many supporting solutions.
The Department of Science and Technology has also developed a plan to upgrade the province's Digital Data Center to facilitate businesses in accessing and exploiting information for production and business. In October 2025, the province will also organize the "Digital Transformation and Innovation Festival", including many seminars and technology exhibition areas, with the participation of experts, research institutes and businesses. This will be a forum for businesses to directly express their opinions, give solutions, and at the same time seek cooperation opportunities and expand the market.
It can be seen that the participation of both the central and local levels, along with the efforts of businesses to innovate, will create a boost for science and technology to truly become a driving force for development. For businesses such as QNS or BSR, new policies not only remove current difficulties, but also open up opportunities to reach the global value chain.
