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On May 7, 2026, Lam Thao Superphosphate and Chemical Joint Stock Company held the inauguration ceremony for its potassium sulphate (SOP) production line with a capacity of 20,000 tons/year—one of the first industrial-scale SOP lines in northern Vietnam. The event marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to innovate technology, diversify products, enhance competitiveness, and achieve sustainable development.

Attending the ceremony were Mr. Phùng Quang Hiệp – Party Secretary, Chairman of the Members’ Council of the Group; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Quý – Standing Deputy Party Secretary of the Group; Mr. Nguyễn Tuấn Dũng – Deputy General Director of the Group; and Ms. Hồ Thị Mai Hương – Vice President of the Vietnam Chemical Industry Trade Union.

Also in attendance were representatives of specialized departments, member units of the Group; leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; leaders of Phú Thọ Province and relevant central and local agencies.

A Technology Milestone – Foundation for High-Quality SOP Products

In his report, Mr. Trần Đại Nghĩa shared that the project commenced on June 20, 2025, completed installation and trial operations in April 2026. After the adjustment phase, the line reached its designed capacity; products met quality standards, fully complied with environmental requirements, and are ready for market supply.

The technological highlight of the project is the Mannheim furnace—an advanced, environmentally friendly SOP production solution—combined with a DCS control system to enhance automation, safety, and operational stability.

Raw materials are strictly controlled: KCl is imported from Canada with effective K₂O content ≥ 62% and high purity; H₂SO₄ is self-produced from elemental sulfur using advanced, low-impurity technology. This ensures SOP quality from the source.

Lam Thao SOP – Premium Fertilizer for High-Value Agriculture

Lam Thao SOP is a premium inorganic fertilizer free of chlorine (Cl⁻), especially suitable for sensitive crops such as tea, tobacco, coffee, pepper, vegetables, and fruit trees—especially export products.

Removing chlorine helps prevent soil compaction and salinization, while protecting soil microflora. High K₂O content combined with sulfur in the SO₄²⁻ form, which is easily absorbed, promotes early flowering, ripening, higher yields, and significantly improved crop quality.

The line integrates a complete HCl gas recovery system for commercial hydrochloric acid production (24,000 tons/year). Emissions meet QCVN 19:2024 standards (effective from 2032). This model exemplifies the circular economy approach: turning waste into resources, increasing economic efficiency, and minimizing environmental impact.

Strategic Significance for Business and Agriculture

Given the limited domestic SOP supply and reliance on high-priced, volatile imports, Supe Lam Thao’s investment in SOP production helps secure supply, stabilize the market, and opens up export opportunities, elevating the status of Vietnamese fertilizers.

The SOP line continues Supe Lam Thao’s ongoing product innovation journey since 2021, aiming for an eco-friendly fertilizer ecosystem serving green agriculture.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Phùng Quang Hiệp expressed delight that just 10 months after groundbreaking (June 20, 2025), Supe Lam Thao completed and commissioned the SOP line on schedule, ensuring quality, safety, and environmental standards, with a total investment of about VND 120 billion. He emphasized: “The investment scale may not be large, but its value and strategic significance are immense,” as this is a concrete step reflecting the company’s shift in product structure aligned with the Group’s green transformation orientation.

He highly appreciated the choice of advanced Mannheim furnace technology, especially the complete HCl gas recovery solution for producing commercial hydrochloric acid—a model circular economy in chemical production, adding value and effectively controlling environmental issues.

From the Group’s perspective, he noted that Vinachem currently supplies about 40–42% of the country’s fertilizer demand, covering most major fertilizer types, “with only potash missing.” The launch of Lam Thao SOP thus completes the Group’s fertilizer product ecosystem and aligns with the long-term strategy as Vinachem develops a potash mining and processing project in Laos to secure strategic raw materials.

He requested the company focus on three main tasks in the coming period:

First, production operations: Strictly manage the entire production process, ensuring safety, stability, and efficiency; pursue further modernization and automation, maximize equipment efficiency, and prevent any chemical safety or environmental incidents.

Second, market consumption: Adhere to the principle that “production must be linked with sales.” Domestically, coordinate closely with the distribution network and traditional partners to gradually shift usage from potassium chloride (MOP) to potassium sulphate (SOP)—an inevitable trend to improve crop quality and soil health. For exports, focus on building the Supe Lam Thao SOP brand, targeting exports under its own brand instead of contract manufacturing. The company can also use SOP as an input for producing specialized NPK lines, increasing value and competitiveness.

Third, long-term development orientation: Continue nurturing the spirit of innovation, boldly research new products but proceed carefully, align with market demand, and avoid overheating that could lead to excess inventory.

He also shared that on May 18, the Group will launch the Vinachem Agriculture website—a platform offering crop- and region-specific cultivation solutions to support the distribution system and farmers; this will be a key tool for distributing new products like SOP.

He concluded by commending the efforts of the Supe Lam Thao team, thanking contractors and local authorities for their support, and expressing confidence that the SOP line will open up new directions, mindsets, and determination for Supe Lam Thao in the next phase.

At the ceremony, Mr. Phạm Thanh Tùng emphasized that commissioning the SOP line is a major milestone in technology innovation and sustainable development; it not only meets domestic demand and reduces import dependence but also targets exports, gradually enhancing the international position of Vietnamese fertilizers.

He expressed thanks to Vinachem, central and local ministries and agencies, partners, contractors, the distribution system, and all staff for contributing to the project’s success.

In the coming time, the company will continue to expand, research new-generation fertilizers, and gradually bring the Lam Thao SOP brand to regional and international markets.

The inauguration of the SOP production line marks a new development direction, demonstrating innovation, strong determination, and Lam Thao’s mastery of technology on the path to sustainable growth.