Key Role in Chemical Industry Engineering Consultancy

Reporting at the working session, Mr. Luu Ngoc Vinh – Chairman of the Board of Directors of CECO, stated that CECO was established in 1967 as a member of Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem). CECO specializes in providing consulting services, engineering design, procurement, construction installation, and EPC general contracting with an experienced workforce of PhDs, Master's degree holders, and engineers across multiple technical disciplines, executing key projects for domestic and international investors. Notably, CECO possesses a brand reputation of over 50 years in design consultancy; numerous completed projects have demonstrated high economic efficiency and earned Certificates of Merit from the Government, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Vinachem.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An at the working session with the Company

From 2010 to date, CECO has carried out 70 scientific and technological research tasks at various levels, focusing on manufacturing process technologies, localization of machinery and equipment, waste treatment, environmental protection, hazardous waste management, and standardization of design parameters. The majority of these research results have been successfully transferred and utilized by research institutions and industrial enterprises, while being effectively incorporated into CECO's own engineering designs and construction projects.

Despite its solid track record, CECO faces significant challenges due to intensifying competition from domestic and foreign competitors offering similar services. The risk of brain drain has also emerged as foreign firms in the sector attract skilled personnel. High-level recruitment faces constraints due to competitive compensation benchmarks across the labor market. “In addition, R&D activities have not fully kept pace with practical market demands and rapid global technological advances. Financial resources remain limited, leaving the company vulnerable to debt recovery delays in large-scale EPC contracts (such as DAP2, Ha Bac Nitrogenous Fertilizer, Laos Salt, etc.)”.

Focusing on Science and Technology Development Strategy

Addressing these difficulties, CECO Leadership proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade create favorable conditions for CECO to commercialize and apply scientific research results into actual industrial production, and support piloting initiatives to meet increasing market requirements. “We request the Ministry of Industry and Trade to soon promulgate cost estimation norms for industrial chemical and petrochemical engineering projects, especially design and fabrication norms for chemical equipment. Concurrently, we propose that the Ministry and relevant authorities expedite licensing capacity certifications for technical consulting and design activities under MoIT management”.

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Mr. Luu Ngoc Vinh presenting the report to Leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade

In the upcoming period, CECO will intensify design consultancy services, focusing on core sectors (basic chemicals, agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, petrochemicals, thermal power); ensuring sustainable development closely tied to environmental protection, worker safety, and public health. Specifically, during 2021-2025, CECO will advance R&D along long-term technological process and equipment lines.

Furthermore, CECO will proactively develop science and technology programs for energy efficiency and environmental protection suited to operating conditions in fertilizer, chemical, and petrochemical plants; fostering a green industrial ecosystem; establishing proprietary equipment and technological intellectual property (from design and manufacturing to erection and commissioning); and compiling industry standards, technical regulations, and specialized design benchmarks overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Evaluating CECO's development solutions, Mr. Tran Viet Hoa – Director General of the Department of Science and Technology (MoIT), suggested that CECO focus deeply on practical technological applications. In practice, CECO's consulting and engineering design capabilities are fully on par with international peers, yet need greater emphasis on proprietary copyrights and patents as a long-term strategy. “Prioritizing a science and technology strategy aligned with industrialization is essential. Though an engineering consultancy, focusing on R&D serves as the pivotal spring-board for CECO's growth” – stated Mr. Tran Viet Hoa.

Mr. Hoa noted that regarding intellectual property, despite lengthy patent examination procedures, IP acquisition remains a vital prerequisite. “The Ministry currently runs technology transfer schemes for industrial sectors; the Science and Technology Department has coordinated with oil and gas sectors, engaging international experts and acquiring proprietary licenses effectively” – Mr. Hoa added.

Sharing views on this matter, Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh – Director General of the Department of Chemicals (MoIT), acknowledged that CECO holds proven competence across diverse engineering disciplines and has successfully delivered numerous major chemical facilities: rubber, tires, industrial chemicals, effectively assisting the Department in sector administration. “Connecting scientific research channels with MoIT is extremely critical, helping enhance CECO's institutional capacity going forward” – Mr. Thanh affirmed.

Highly commending CECO's technical standing, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang An recognized CECO as a premier engineering consultancy brand in the chemical industry. While 2019 revenue faced temporary declines, persistent efforts will drive revival.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that intellectual property registration is essential for enterprise growth in an era of rapid technological progress. “Do not skip necessary stages, but maintain momentum; the Ministry will continuously accompany enterprises. Elevating Vietnamese consulting competitiveness will be facilitated through MoIT cooperation programs with ministries, agencies, and foreign consulting institutions” – stated the Deputy Minister.

The Deputy Minister instructed that given the wide breadth of the chemical industry, CECO must focus scientific research on practical domains. The Ministry of Industry and Trade stands ready to commission research tasks to assist enterprises like CECO in fostering innovation, overcoming challenges, and thriving amidst broader industrial shifts.

Source: Industry and Trade Newspaper (Báo Công Thương)