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During a business trip to the French Republic, a delegation from Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem) led by General Director Nguyễn Hữu Tú visited and worked with France Chimie, Air Liquide, and GreenTech. This series of activities helped expand the Group’s partner network, seek opportunities for cooperation in technology, innovation, green transition, biotechnology, and cosmetic chemistry, and created further space for Vinachem’s development in the new era.

Laying Flowers in Tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh at Montreuil

As part of the trip, on 11th September, General Director Nguyễn Hữu Tú and the Vinachem delegation laid flowers at the statue of President Hồ Chí Minh in Montreau Park, Montreuil, on the outskirts of Paris. This act was a gesture of deep respect and gratitude for President Hồ Chí Minh, and an occasion for the delegation to recall his legacy in France and the tradition of friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and France.

Vinachem’s visit to France takes place as the Group is accelerating the renewal of its growth model, increasing the scientific and technological content of its production, and proactively expanding international cooperation. The meetings were not limited to commercial connections, but focused on seeking in-depth cooperation in technology, research and development (R&D), new product development, emissions reduction, and step-by-step integration into international value chains.

Expanding Connections within the French Chemical Industry Ecosystem

During the programme, General Director Nguyễn Hữu Tú and the Vinachem delegation met with France Chimie – the professional organisation representing France’s chemical industry, which serves to connect the business community and act as the industry’s voice with the French Government, the European Union, and international partners.

France currently possesses one of Europe’s largest chemical industries, with a relatively complete ecosystem from production and research to innovation. France Chimie is actively promoting ecological transition and green chemistry, focusing on technologies such as chemical polymer recycling, green hydrogen, biotechnology, and advanced materials for batteries.

At the meeting, both sides discussed the potential to strengthen links between Vinachem, its member enterprises, and the French chemical business community, seeking suitable partners in each field.

For Vinachem, closer ties with France Chimie offer broader access to France’s industrial, research, and innovation ecosystem, as well as an opportunity to exchange experience in key issues for the chemical industry, such as green transition, industrial safety, energy efficiency, human resource development, and adapting to ever-higher environmental standards.

Building on Existing Collaboration with Air Liquide

The delegation continued with a visit to Air Liquide, where they were received by Mr. Nicolas Foirien, Director of Technical Product Lines and Cryogenic Technology Construction, and Ms. Hai Chau Cournedetran, Market Manager for Large Industries.

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

With 65,168 employees in 59 countries, serving more than 4.3 million customers and patients, Air Liquide is currently the world’s second-largest industrial and medical gas group, and holds a leading position in Europe, playing an important role in numerous manufacturing, healthcare, and electronics supply chains. In France, Air Liquide is a pillar enterprise, listed on the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices, and is a key partner in industrial decarbonisation and energy transition.

Vinachem and Air Liquide have an established foundation of practical cooperation. In Vietnam, Air Liquide participated in the Ninh Binh Fertilizer Plant project, supplying air separation technology. Air Liquide’s process contributed to the stable operation of the plant, producing urea for domestic and export markets.

Building on this relationship, the meeting in France enabled both sides to identify new areas for cooperation, especially as Vinachem pursues technology renewal and green transition at its production sites.

Air Liquide offers capabilities in areas highly relevant to the chemical industry, from supplying oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, and industrial gases to ultra-pure gases and advanced materials for electronics and semiconductors; as well as expertise in designing, constructing, and transferring modern gas production plants.

Of particular note are developments in low-carbon and renewable hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies, and the application of artificial intelligence and big data in plant operation. These present many possibilities for further research, knowledge exchange, and identifying collaboration in line with Vinachem’s and its member units’ needs.

To put discussions into practice, both sides agreed to coordinate in organising expert seminars, allowing Air Liquide specialists to share expertise, introduce technological solutions, and engage directly with Vinachem’s member units. Vinachem and Air Liquide will also continue necessary steps towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), laying the groundwork for substantive, long-term partnership.

Exploring Biotechnology and Cosmetic Chemistry Cooperation with GreenTech

During the visit, the Vinachem delegation also held talks with GreenTech. Attending for GreenTech were Mr. Jean-Yves Berthon, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Philippe Michon, Strategic Advisor for International Markets.

While discussions with Air Liquide focused on technology solutions for large-scale industrial production, talks with GreenTech opened a new direction for collaboration in biotechnology, green chemistry, and the development of technologically advanced, high value-added products.

Established in France in 1992, GreenTech specialises in research and development of high-tech natural active ingredients. The company’s strengths lie in cosmetic ingredients, biotechnology, and R&D, with more than 100 active substances and some 3,000 extracts; it also boasts a database of 30,000 plant species and 300,000 biomolecules, and multiple technological platforms such as bioinformatics, fermentation, green chemistry, and biocatalysis.

At the meeting, both sides discussed the potential to connect GreenTech with LIX Detergent Joint Stock Company (LIXCO) – a Vinachem subsidiary with manufacturing, product development, and distribution capacity. Building on each side’s strengths, GreenTech and LIXCO will continue to explore appropriate cooperation opportunities, aiming to bring promising products to the market in a prudent and effective manner.

In the longer term, this connection is expected to facilitate further experience exchange, joint research, and gradually expanded cooperation in mutually interesting fields. Through this, LIXCO will gain greater access to scientific and technological resources and international expertise, helping raise value addition, competitiveness, and responsiveness to new consumer trends.

Connecting International Resources for New Growth Drivers

The meetings with France Chimie, Air Liquide, and GreenTech demonstrate Vinachem’s diverse approach to international cooperation: from connecting with the organisation representing France’s chemical industry ecosystem, building on established ties with a major industrial technology group in Vietnam, to seeking specialist partners in biotechnology and cosmetic chemistry.

A consistent theme throughout was the alignment of international cooperation with the Group’s practical development needs: accessing advanced technology, strengthening R&D, developing high value-added products, promoting green transition, and expanding markets for member units.

As Vinachem accelerates science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, proactively connecting with France’s leading partners expands the scope for cooperation and enables the Group to access new technologies, expertise, and development models.

As a result, the trip not only strengthened and broadened Vinachem’s international partner network, but also created a platform to gradually translate these connections into specific programmes and cooperation projects; to serve existing production and business activities, while also opening new directions for high-tech, value-added development, enhancing competitiveness and reinforcing Vinachem’s role as a core player in the chemical industry.