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On the morning of 22 October 2026, in Brussels, Belgium, Mr. Nguyễn Hữu Tú, General Director of the Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem), and Mr. M. Gert Jan Ten Cate, Vice President of Air Liquide and Head of Large Industries – World Business Line, exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, senior Vietnamese leaders, and representatives of leading European and Belgian enterprises. The event formed part of a high-level dialogue during the official visit of General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium.

The exchange of the MoU at this senior diplomatic event strengthens ties between Vinachem and an international technology partner, opening opportunities for research and evaluation of solutions to enhance energy efficiency, optimise industrial production, and promote sustainable energy transition.

Air Liquide is a French technology group with a history spanning over a century, operating in industrial gases, medical gases, and related technologies and services. In 2025, the group achieved revenue of €26.94 billion, primarily from its core Gases and Services segment, with the EMEA region contributing 28.6%, and the French market alone accounting for around 12% of global revenues.

With 65,168 staff in 59 countries, serving over 4.3 million customers and patients, Air Liquide is currently the world’s second-largest industrial and medical gas group, the market leader in Europe, and plays a vital role in supply chains for manufacturing, healthcare, and electronics. In France, Air Liquide is a key enterprise, listed on the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices, and is an important partner in industrial energy transition and decarbonisation.

Expanding Technological Cooperation and Enhancing Industrial Efficiency

Under the MoU, Vinachem and Air Liquide establish a non-exclusive cooperation framework, based on equality, mutual benefit, and legal compliance. Both parties aim to exchange information, evaluate cooperation opportunities, and explore initiatives to improve energy efficiency, operational reliability, industrial safety, and business effectiveness.

In the immediate term, the two sides will prioritise reviewing, evaluating, and researching measures to improve operations at fertiliser production facilities. This will include assessing the potential for upgrading existing air separation units (ASUs) and the feasibility of implementing argon recovery. Specific options will be considered based on technical assessment, investment effectiveness, and necessary approvals.

Beyond fertilisers, Vinachem and Air Liquide plan to broaden exchanges on the application of industrial gases and technical solutions in electronics, batteries and accumulators, materials processing, mineral extraction and processing, battery production and recycling, and related value chains. Sharing technological information, expertise, and market knowledge will help identify suitable cooperation opportunities aligned with both sides’ development strategies.

The parties are also interested in exchanging experience and exploring possible cooperation in hydrogen, ammonia, low-carbon hydrogen, and renewable hydrogen, targeting applications for emission reduction in industry and energy value chains.

Step-by-Step Realisation of Cooperation Opportunities

To implement the agreed areas of cooperation, Vinachem and Air Liquide plan to organise technical workshops initially focused on priority issues at fertiliser production facilities. The two sides will also consider technical data exchanges, site surveys, expert assessments, and pre-feasibility studies as needed and mutually agreed.

The MoU also refers to the possibility of organising visits and technical exchanges by Vinachem at Air Liquide’s relevant R&D facilities in France, as well as industrial-scale ammonia cracking and hydrogen sites in Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium. Activities will be considered based on mutual agreement on programme, access conditions, safety requirements, and necessary approvals.

After the MoU exchange, both parties will identify contact points, propose work plans, and connect relevant units and experts. Specific projects or transactions will be considered separately after the completion of necessary technical, commercial, legal, and financial assessments and compliance with approval requirements.

The exchange of the MoU between Vinachem and Air Liquide, witnessed by General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, marks a significant step in the Group’s international cooperation efforts. With this framework in place, Vinachem aims to effectively leverage opportunities to access technology, enhance production capacity, optimise energy use, and research solutions for the energy transition, thereby boosting competitiveness and promoting the sustainable development of Vietnam’s chemical industry.

Expanding cooperation with Air Liquide is also in line with the implementation of Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW dated 6 January 2026 of the Politburo on the development of the state economy, which emphasises the need to improve the performance of state enterprises, foster innovation, modernise management, and strengthen research and development cooperation. Through links with international technology partners, Vinachem seeks to harness resources, access advanced technical solutions, and improve productivity, quality, and business efficiency, thereby enhancing competitiveness, deepening participation in global value chains, and strengthening the role of state enterprises in national industrial and economic development.