With a total implementation budget of 84 billion VND, the implementation of the project will contribute to increasing the localization rate of equipment for cement plants, enhancing the capacity of domestic mechanical engineering units, and promoting economic development. With product quality equivalent to imported ones but at a reduced cost, the project also contributes to reducing the annual trade deficit. In particular, it significantly reduces costs for hiring foreign experts (by approximately 70%) in project management, installation, operation, and repair of line equipment, as previously practiced.

Engineer Vu Van Diep, project manager, stated that according to statistics, Vietnam has approximately 89 cement plants and grinding stations built nationwide. As the world's third-largest cement producer, after China and India, with abundant raw material resources, it is projected that from now until 2030, Vietnam will invest in and upgrade at least over 10 raw material storage facilities domestically, primarily focusing on synchronous equipment systems for longitudinal storage at VICEM cement plants and several domestic cement production plants such as Hoang Thach, Hai Phong, Bim Son, Tam Diep, etc.

However, during the construction of cement plants, the entire synchronous equipment system for the plant's raw material storage is mostly supplied by foreign contractors. Furthermore, for plants currently in operation, after a period of operation, technological issues inevitably arise that require upgrades and repairs.

If no domestic unit masters the technology and possesses the capability to design and manufacture synchronous equipment, these upgrades would also have to be contracted to foreign companies. Plants would incur substantial costs to hire experts from foreign firms for assessment and would have to wait for replacement goods imported at very high prices, making them unable to proactively manage production plans and causing economic losses.

"Therefore, this supply cannot depend on global companies; there is a need for domestic units that understand the technology and are capable of mastering the design, supply, manufacture, installation, and operation of synchronous equipment systems for raw material storage," said Engineer Vu Van Diep. He further shared that developing complete equipment in the building materials production sector is one of the key tasks in the Development Strategy of the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering towards 2030, with a vision to 2040, which is currently being reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Domestic capacity sufficient for equipment design and manufacture

According to Engineer Vu Van Diep, thanks to supportive and encouraging policies from the State, as well as the efforts of domestic mechanical engineering units, the Vietnamese mechanical engineering industry has made significant strides in localizing equipment for industrial plants in general and cement plants in particular. Design, machining, and manufacturing capabilities have been progressively enhanced.

The workforce of scientific researchers, managers, and skilled workers is increasingly strong. Localized mechanical engineering products are becoming more diverse and of high quality, meeting domestic and international standards. Many products have been ordered by foreign partners for domestic projects as well as for export.

Among them, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering (NARIME) is a unit with many years of experience in technology consulting, design, and manufacture of equipment for raw material transport systems in industrial plants, typically exemplified by the material transport system for the Nhan Co Bauxite plant and the Tan Rai Bauxite plant, the ash and slag transport systems and dust filtration systems for the Thai Binh 1 and Nghi Son 2 plants, and the coal supply system for the Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant, etc.

In addition, other units such as the Institute of Machine and Industrial Instruments (IMI), the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Science and Technology, etc., have extensive experience in consulting, technology design, and design and manufacture of spare parts and equipment for rotary kiln cement production lines, such as bag filters, electrostatic precipitators, and cement packing lines.

Along with that, several enterprises have previously participated in manufacturing steel structures and installing similar equipment for cement and thermal power plants, such as LILAMA, COMA, MIE, VINAINCON, etc. Notably, in 2005, LILAMA led the implementation of the project "Research on design and manufacture of major equipment for a synchronized rotary kiln cement production line with a capacity of 2,500 tons of clinker per day, replacing imports, and implementing the localization process."

However, Engineer Vu Van Diep acknowledged that although domestic consulting, design, and mechanical manufacturing enterprises have grown strongly and gradually asserted the role of the mechanical engineering sector in the national economy, it must be recognized that the equipment localization rate for raw material transport systems in cement plants remains low. It has not yet met the target of mastering the cement production line in terms of production technology design and equipment manufacture.

This has clearly revealed shortcomings in the connectivity between consulting units to carry out technology design and manufacturing design for complete production lines, while manufacturing, installation, and operation units operate separately and compete with each other.

If Vietnam can localize the synchronous equipment system for comprehensive raw material storage at a rate of 70-80% by weight (based on advanced design and technology), it will not only promote the development of science and technology in the cement plant sector and advance the domestic mechanical manufacturing industry but also create jobs for dozens of mechanical enterprises with tens of thousands of workers for each project, while achieving significant cost savings compared to importing equipment.

"To achieve this, it is imperative that domestic consulting, design, manufacturing, and installation units connect and coordinate to jointly implement projects from start to finish," said Engineer Vu Van Diep. He also informed that currently, Bim Son Cement Joint Stock Company has committed to cooperating with the Institute in implementing the project and using the project's products. This is an important foundation for project implementation. Additionally, the Institute will collaborate with companies such as LILAMA, COMA, etc., for the manufacture, installation, and operation of equipment to ensure the project is implemented efficiently and meets the set schedule and quality standards.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/lan-dau-tien-viet-nam-che-tao-he-thong-thiet-bi-kho-nguyen-lieu-cho-nha-may-xi-mang-162297.html