Scientific research is the foundation for BSR's sustainable development.

During the process of formation and development, Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company (BSR), a member unit of the Vietnam National Energy Industry Group (Petrovietnam), has consistently considered scientific research (NCKH) and technology optimization as the foundation for sustainable development. NCKH at BSR is carried out from the root and directly produces "sweet fruits" in the form of new products; not only helping the Factory operate stably at optimal capacity, but also directly creating economic value, laying the foundation for the green transition in the new period.

Scientific research helps BSR make thousands of billions of dong in profit

Going back in time to more than 10 years ago, at the end of 2014, when Bach Ho crude oil sources decreased in both output and quality, domestic competition increased, competition from imported sources also increased, BSR faced many difficult problems in reducing processing costs, diversifying input crude oil sources and improving energy efficiency if it wanted to maintain its advantage. After the research process, BSR came up with a solution, one of which was the project cluster "Solutions for applying science and technology to optimize the production process of Dung Quat Oil Refinery to improve the operational efficiency and competitiveness of BSR" deployed throughout the system in the period 2015-2019. This project cluster was later awarded the State Prize for Science and Technology. This is the clearest proof of the effectiveness of this project cluster on the operational efficiency and competitiveness of BSR.

The project was carried out in the context of BSR facing many difficulties and challenges, which greatly impacted its production and business activities, deciding the existence and sustainable development of BSR in particular, and the development of the Vietnamese petrochemical industry in general. The achievements of the project are a proud result after a process of serious and creative work and scientific research with the spirit of daring to think, daring to do, daring to take responsibility.

BSR Chairman of the Board of Directors Bui Ngoc Duong (first row, fourth from left) and authors receiving the Ho Chi Minh Prize and the State Prize for Science and Technology in 2022

The project cluster “Solutions for applying science and technology to optimize the production process of Dung Quat Oil Refinery to improve the operational efficiency and competitiveness of BSR” has helped the Company improve its ability to process many new types of crude oil at home and abroad. Thereby diversifying the supply and ensuring enough raw materials at competitive prices for Dung Quat Oil Refinery (NMLD) in the context of the increasingly declining output and quality of Bach Ho crude oil. On that basis, BSR experts have developed a solution to help remove over 70% of iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) impurities in crude oil, contributing to ensuring safe and stable operation for the main Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) workshop and reducing catalyst consumption with a value of over 10 million USD/year. The optimal capacity continues to be demonstrated by increasing the capacity of the Kerosene processing unit (KTU) up to 130% compared to the design, helping Dung Quat Refinery produce an additional 1.02-1.09 million barrels of Jet A1 fuel/year, corresponding to an additional profit of over 3 million USD/year. At the same time, the technical limitations of the crude oil distillation tower system are resolved, allowing the Factory to process imported light sweet crude oils with high economic value.

At the same time, BSR successfully developed a new product, marine fuel oil (MFO), according to the international standard IMO-2020 with high quality and value (sulfur content less than 0.5%wt); at the same time, it produced more than 5 thousand tons of propylene/year, providing enough petrochemical raw materials for the Polypropylene resin production workshop up to 110% of capacity, bringing an estimated economic benefit of over 3 million USD/year. These synchronous solutions helped reduce the plant's energy consumption index (EII) from 118% in 2014 to 103-106% in 2018 and 2019 (according to calculations, reducing the EII index by 1% saved about 2.6 million USD/year). This reduced the total production cost from 7.1 USD/barrel of oil in 2014 to 4.9 USD/barrel of oil in 2019 (saving approximately 24-43 million USD/year). Immediately after the project was completed, by 2019, the total economic efficiency of the project cluster reached 4,270 billion VND and will continue to increase year by year.

BSR staff inspect production at Dung Quat Refinery

The project cluster “Solutions for applying science and technology to optimize the production process of Dung Quat Oil Refinery to improve the operational efficiency and competitiveness of BSR” is just one of the typical scientific research projects of BSR experts. However, the economic efficiency of this project has reached thousands of billions of VND and accumulated over the years. The results of scientific research are clear evidence of the remarkable growth of the team of highly qualified experts and engineers at BSR, demonstrated through the complete mastery of the first NMLD technology in Vietnam, maximizing the initial design space of the Factory. At the same time, flexibly applying advanced techniques and modern technology to improve and complete the overall design of the Factory to suit the new production and business conditions of BSR.

New products - "sweet fruit" from scientific research

In recent years, BSR has paid special attention to scientific research and considered it the foundation for sustainable development. BSR has established an Innovation Center to further concretize scientific research into practice. In 2025, BSR will continuously produce new products that are not in the original design configuration of Dung Quat Refinery. These are achievements, or in other words, "sweet fruits" formed from the roots of scientific research. In addition to traditional products such as gasoline and oil, these new products help optimize profit margins, increase production and business efficiency and are consistent with the digital transformation and green transformation strategy according to Petrovietnam's orientation.

An important milestone in the “greening” product in BSR’s value chain is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). On March 31, 2025, BSR officially received two international certifications, ISCC CORSIA and ISCC EU, issued by SGS Germany. This is considered a key passport to join the global SAF supply chain. On this basis, on June 4, 2025, BSR held a launching ceremony and sold the first commercial batch of SAF, blended from imported Neat SAF with Jet A-1 produced by BSR. Immediately after that, partner Skypec successfully stored and loaded it for Vietnam Airlines’ domestic flights at Da Nang International Airport. From a technical and market perspective, this is a testament to the capacity for scientific research, integrating international standards (ASTM D7566, ISCC management system, basic standard TCCS 23:2024-BSR) into operational practice, while creating a premise for larger-scale commercialization from the fourth quarter of 2025.

BSR has always played a pioneering role in green energy research.

Soon after, in July 2025, BSR officially launched sulfur granules, a move that is both technologically significant and increases safety and the environment compared to traditional liquid sulfur. BSR's sulfur granules are solid particles, uniform in size with a purity of ≥99.5% and humidity of ≤0.5%, making them convenient to store and transport, reducing the risk of fire and explosion and limiting dust dispersion. BSR's granulation system capacity is currently about 13 tons/8 hours; if operated continuously, it can be expanded to 35-39 tons/day, flexibly meeting market demand. By operating two sulfur recovery workshops (SRU1 and SRU2) simultaneously, BSR recovers about 13 tons/day, while expanding the margin of receiving oil with a higher sulfur content - an economic advantage when purchasing input oil. The application market of granular sulfur is very wide (DAP/NPK fertilizer, sulfuric acid, pesticides, paper, rubber, metallurgy...), creating a new revenue stream, and at the same time closing the value problem of the petrochemical refining chain.

Previously, a new product line, especially important in ensuring national energy security, was researched, developed and handed over by BSR to the Ministry of National Defense. That is special fuel for national defense. This product is a clear demonstration of the ability to master science and technology and the spirit of serving the Fatherland of Petrovietnam and BSR. Since 2012, BSR has begun research and has so far successfully produced many types of special fuel such as Jet A-1K for military aircraft, DO L-62 for submarines and A-80 gasoline for mechanical equipment. These products have met strict international standards, tested in laboratories and through practical operation on military vehicles. This success not only ensures national defense security, reduces import dependence but also affirms BSR's position as a pioneer in the field of special fuel production in Vietnam. From Petrovietnam's orientation, BSR is expected to continue to expand its products, research green fuels, and combine defense goals with sustainable development strategies.

BSR hands over the first batch of special fuel to the Ministry of National Defense

These new products were not in the original design configuration of Dung Quat Refinery but were formed from the actual needs of the country and the market through the process of research, innovation and practical application. BSR has proven that sustainable development in the petrochemical sector is not a slogan but needs to start from the foundation of scientific research. This path not only increases financial efficiency, opens the way for green transition, but also enhances the Company's resilience to unpredictable fluctuations in the energy market. That is the foundation for BSR to maintain its growth rate, firmly compete and enhance its position in the regional and world petrochemical refining industry.

Thanh Hieu

Source: https://bsr.com.vn/web/bsr/-/nghien-cuu-khoa-hoc-la-nen-tang-de-bsr-phat-trien-ben-vung