Resolution No. 88/CP On the Program for the Development of Materials Science and Technology in Vietnam until 2010

RESOLUTION

Regarding the program for the development of materials science and technology in Vietnam until 2010

in Materials science and technology is a collection of scientific fields involved in researching the composition, structure, and processing procedures of materials to create materials with necessary technical properties and produce them on an industrial scale.

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Advanced technology in the materials industry makes a significant and indispensable contribution to economic growth, serving as the foundation for the development of many new industries and products, optimizing resource exploitation to serve production development, improving the quality of people's lives, and accelerating the process of industrialization and modernization of the country.

This resolution summarizes the current situation of the materials industry in our country, sets out the goals, directions, and contents for the development of materials science and technology until 2010, and outlines the main policies and measures to implement the set goals.

I. THE SITUATION OF MATERIALS INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM

1. Up to now, Vietnam has mainly developed its materials industry based on domestic natural resources and minerals, which are quite diverse in types but complex in terms of extraction and processing. Generally, mineral deposits are mostly medium and small in scale, with low concentrations, limited reserves, and outdated processing technologies.

2. Since the early 1960s in the North and after 1975 nationwide, the Government has focused on building the national industry, forming several sectors including materials industry zones and clusters, among which there are some major projects and infrastructure improvements, laying the initial material and technical foundations for the country's industrialization.

In the materials industry, the steel sector in Vietnam was relatively early established. Over more than two decades, due to the lack of conditions to update equipment, the production technology remained quite outdated. In recent years, only a few steel rolling mills were built, increasing steel production from 100,000 tons/year in 1990 to 1 million tons/year in 1995, mainly construction steel.

The construction materials sector has achieved certain results. Currently, there are five large cement factories: Hai Phong, Bim Son, Hoang Thach, Ha Tien 1, and Ha Tien 2. The total production capacity of these five factories is 4.6 million tons/year, while other smaller cement factories produce about 2 million tons/year. New factories built in recent years have relatively modern production technology.

The ceramic, porcelain, and glass industry has not been significantly invested in, with small scales and outdated technology, resulting in low production volume and quality. To date, only the Dap Cau glass factory produces construction glass on a relatively large scale with an annual output of approximately 2,000 tons.

The plastic and paint industry began to form in recent years. Other common materials are produced on small scales using outdated or manual production lines.

Overall, the capacity of the materials industry in our country remains small and insufficient for self-investment in development, production lines are still outdated and slow to be updated, productivity and quality are still low, failing to meet domestic demand, and many important products are mainly imported.

3. The Party and Government have paid early attention to training a cadre of science and technology personnel. In many materials sectors, the cadre of science and technology personnel has the ability to absorb new technology, install, operate, maintain, and initially improve imported technology to suit local conditions. However, the capability of the cadre of science and technology personnel is still limited, unable to create new technologies and materials. Research and application work of scientific and technological achievements in the field of materials have made initial progress, contributing to economic and social development.

However, the outdated equipment of research institutions, low investment in research and development of technology, scattered and uncoordinated, and the lack of mechanisms linking research with production are obstacles that hinder the cadre of science and technology personnel from effectively supporting the development of the materials industry.

4. Currently, science and technology have become an important factor in national development. This requires our country to strengthen investment, quickly and fundamentally renew the materials industry to create a driving force for the overall development of the national economy.

The international context in the coming years will undergo profound changes, both favorable for the development of the materials industry in our country and challenging, requiring us to carefully consider and choose appropriate steps and models to quickly avoid falling behind other countries in the region.

All these factors require us to strengthen the development of the materials industry according to our own development strategy.

II. DIRECTIONS AND GOALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY IN VIETNAM UNTIL 2010

1. Goals for the development of materials technology

a) By 2000, we must satisfy most of the demand for common materials from domestic resources, and bring some areas of the materials industry up to the technological level of advanced countries in the region, and by 2010, some areas must reach the average advanced level globally.

b) Build a solid and well-structured Vietnamese materials industry capable of meeting the needs of producing materials for key sectors of the national economy such as energy, infrastructure construction, machinery manufacturing, electronics, and able to produce new materials with diverse technical properties to meet the needs of various economic sectors.

c) Establish a system of research and implementation agencies in the field of materials technology capable of conducting high-level research, creating new technologies and materials to serve the national economy.

2. Directions for the development of materials technology

2. Directions for the development of material technology

a) Give priority to researching, absorbing, and transferring appropriate and advanced material technologies to develop a sustainable material industry, narrowing the technological gap between our country and other countries. At the same time, enhance domestic scientific and technological capacity to absorb, assimilate, and improve imported technology to suit actual production conditions and requirements, thereby exploiting and enhancing the efficiency of technology usage.

b) Focus on developing technologies that utilize available mineral resources within the country, conducting research and implementing advanced technologies for producing traditional materials and new materials.

c) Invest deeply and improve existing technology to enhance production capacity and product quality, concentrating on key stages determining technical features of materials and competitiveness of products.

d) Develop material industries in areas with favorable conditions. Pay attention to small and medium scales to maximize regional potential and advantages, limit transportation imbalances. Emphasize the principle of short-term support for long-term development, combining traditional technology with selectively chosen high technology, while building some necessary and effective large-scale projects.

đ) The development of new and high technologies must be carried out according to the principle of focusing on selected priorities. The State supports research and implementation activities and encourages material industries to apply new and high technologies.

III. CONTENT OF MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM UNTIL 2010

Based on Vietnam's mineral resource potential, the scientific and technological capacity of material research and development institutions, current and near-future material needs of the country, and on the basis of selected goals and directions, it is necessary to focus on implementing the following key contents for the material science and technology development program until 2010.

a) Metal Materials

The metal material production industry is a crucial sector that plays a decisive role in the industrialization and modernization of the country as well as national security. Vietnam has favorable conditions to effectively develop the metallurgical industry: diverse mineral resources, abundant hydropower potential, advantageous geographical location, and a plentiful labor force. In building the Vietnamese metallurgical industry, emphasis should be placed on developing the following technological fields:

1. Technologies for smelting iron suitable for producing various types of steel and basic metal materials, meeting the main economic needs and contributing to exports. Special attention should be given to coke-free metallurgical technologies.

2. High-quality steel, alloy steel, and alloy technologies for machinery manufacturing, chemical, cement, oil and gas industries, and defense needs. Advanced casting technologies, corresponding processing, analysis, and testing technologies.

3. Powder metallurgy technologies, materials for welding and coating processes, composite metal material production technologies.

4. Copper and aluminum smelting technologies and their alloys.

5. Mineral exploration and comprehensive mineral resource processing technologies.

6. Technologies for producing high-quality ferroalloys and metal oxides from Vietnam's mineral resources.

7. Technologies for producing clean and ultra-clean metals, rare metals, and advanced technical materials based on rare earths.

8. Special alloy production technologies used in electrical, electronic, and other economic sectors.

b) Construction Materials

Infrastructure construction imposes significant demands on the cement industry. Vietnam has considerable potential for raw materials and favorable conditions to develop this technological field:

1. Regarding cement production technology: advanced dry process technology with high automation must be selected; existing wet process cement plants should be renovated and upgraded, and new plants built using advanced technology.

2. Regarding cement types: apart from common Portland cement, special types such as sulfate-resistant cement for marine environments, cement for oil and gas wells, high-strength cement, Portland-Pozzolan cement, etc., should be produced for specific projects.

c) Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass Materials

Ceramics, porcelain, and glass are materials used to produce a wide range of consumer and technical products with high demand. Vietnam has abundant and high-quality raw material sources distributed throughout the country. Factories require relatively low investment and provide local employment. To ensure competitiveness with foreign goods and promote exports, advanced technologies need to be applied:

1. In the ceramic and porcelain field, focus on developing high-performance material production technologies to replace certain types of steel and alloys, artistic ceramic and porcelain production technologies for export, refractory material production technologies meeting most metallurgical, glass, and cement industry needs, foam ceramic and catalytic membrane production technologies, insulating porcelain for high-voltage equipment and transmission lines, and ceramics for environmental pollution treatment.

2. In the glass field, focus on developing technologies for producing construction glass, medical glass, scientific experimental glass, lighting glass, high-end decorative glass, insulating glass, thermal insulation fiberglass, fiberglass for composite materials, and optical fiber.

d) Polymer Materials

The country has abundant natural resources providing raw materials for high polymer industries: oil and gas, natural rubber, various plant-based plastics, and vegetable oils. High polymer materials are not only used to meet consumption needs but also to manufacture many irreplaceable parts of industrial equipment, transportation means, and to replace traditional materials such as iron, steel, concrete, etc. In terms of high polymer materials, it is necessary to focus on the following technological directions:

1. Technology for producing composite materials based on thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers reinforced with glass fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, and wood modified by polymers.

2. Technology for producing high-grade products and composite materials from natural rubber, plant-based plastics, and vegetable oils.

3. Technology for producing coatings and composite materials protecting metals from corrosion in harsh environments such as seawater, hot and humid conditions, and chemical industry equipment.

4. Technology for producing high polymer composite materials for use in electrical and electronic techniques under severe environmental conditions.

5. Technology for producing special high polymer films, biopolymers, biodegradable polymers, environmental pollution treatment polymers, and other special polymers.

d) Material protection

Under the tropical climate of the country, especially coastal areas and marine environments, researching and applying material protection methods, particularly for metallic materials, is a very important content. It is necessary to concentrate on research and implementation according to the following technological directions:

1. Technology for protecting marine structures using electrochemical methods.

2. Technology for protecting materials using coating layers (plating, spray coating, painting, composite materials, etc.).

3. Technology for protecting materials using inhibitors.

e) Electronic materials

The electronics industry is a high-tech industry playing a crucial role in modernizing the national economy and requires priority development. Selecting certain types of materials, conducting research, adopting advanced technology from abroad, and organizing production of materials and components for assembly of equipment or export is necessary. Given that many countries in the region have successfully established the electronics industry, our country needs to focus on developing technology according to the following directions:

1. Technology for producing high-quality ferrites, rare earth magnets, amorphous, and nanocrystalline materials.

2. Technology for producing sensor materials and components (semiconductors, ultrasonic, new conductive materials, piezoelectric ceramics) used in measuring devices, automation equipment, biology, and medicine.

3. Technology for producing optoelectronic and photonic materials and components: semiconductor light-absorbing materials and components, semiconductor light-emitting materials and components, semiconductor lasers, nonlinear optical materials, optical fibers, amplified optical fibers, fiber lasers, optical disks, photoelectrochemical materials...

4. Technology for producing materials for energy harvesting and conversion to serve as power sources for electronic devices.

IV. MAJOR POLICIES AND MEASURES TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Developing a national plan for the advancement of Materials Science and Technology.

Ministries, sectors, and localities need to exploit their strengths and existing potential, build specific programs and projects aimed at the goals of developing Materials Science and Technology, innovating production and usage methods of construction materials. There should be plans to introduce and utilize new materials, apply new technologies, replace outdated technologies, improve and upgrade current technologies to enhance productivity and technical performance of materials and products. Measures should be applied to conserve raw materials from extraction, processing to utilization stages.

The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment will direct and support ministries, sectors, and localities in effectively implementing their plans.

2. Building scientific and technological capacity in materials science and technology

Reorganize the system of research and development institutions in materials science and technology including national centers for natural sciences and technology research institutes, ministry-level research institutes, enterprise research institutes, laboratories, and research centers of universities.

Focus on building key units in priority areas. Increase investment in infrastructure, update research and experimental equipment to enhance research capabilities, meeting the development needs of the materials industry.

In high-tech zones, there will be a direction to establish production facilities and research and development centers for new materials in priority fields such as electronic materials, high polymer materials...

3. Strengthening research and development activities

Promote scientific and technological research on materials at universities, research institutes, and material production facilities. Establish appropriate mechanisms to link research activities of scientific research institutions with production activities of production facilities, high-tech zones.

The State encourages enterprises to establish scientific and technological research organizations to carry out research and development, improve production technology levels, and create competitiveness for products.

Research and development agencies of ministries, sectors, and universities closely cooperate with research and development units in enterprises to organize scientific research and produce new materials and apply new technologies.

Fully exploit the advantage of technology imports to quickly improve production levels. Encourage investors to import modern technology for material production in Vietnam, and transfer technology among domestic production units.

4. Organizing training for cadres

Upgrade and construct new training facilities for Materials Science and Technology at certain institutes and universities. Enhance the qualifications of staff in Materials Science and Technology through various forms.

Encourage international educational institutions to establish branch campuses, branch institutes, and departments to conduct training in materials science and technology within Vietnam and issue diplomas and certificates equivalent to those from advanced countries worldwide. Send people abroad for training to develop scientific personnel in some fields where domestic conditions for training are not available.

5. Promote international cooperation

Encourage domestic research and production businesses to organize overseas visits, surveys, and learning exchanges, cooperate in research, utilize experts, and transfer foreign materials technology.

Encourage both domestic and foreign enterprises to invest or form joint ventures to contribute capital to priority material sectors in high-tech zones and export processing zones.

6. Support and mobilize funds

The State will increase investment in research and development of scientific potential in key areas of Materials Science and Technology.

The State will implement policies and measures to encourage the mobilization of capital from businesses, economic sectors, production organizations, attract foreign direct investment, and provide partial funding from the State budget and international aid programs, particularly Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs, for training, scientific research, and the application of materials technology.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

Given the importance of Materials Science and Technology to the national economy during industrialization and modernization, the Government decides to establish a national technical-economic program on Materials Science and Technology with the goal of promoting the research and application of advanced technologies in the materials sector across central and local industries. The Program will be managed by a Program Management Board. The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment is responsible for drafting the Government Decision on establishing the Program Management Board and its functions and responsibilities to submit to the Prime Minister for approval.

Responsibilities of Ministries, sectors, and localities in organizing the implementation are assigned as follows:

- The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment, in its capacity as the state management agency, drafts regulations and policies to create a favorable environment for implementing the Program.

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment is responsible for balancing resources to implement national program tasks in annual and five-year plans.

- The Ministry of Finance balances budgets for ministries, sectors, and localities participating in national program tasks approved by the Prime Minister, proposes appropriate financial policies regarding taxes, development funds, etc., to facilitate the implementation of the Program.

- The National Natural Sciences and Technology Center, the Ministry of Education and Training, universities, and research institutes of ministries and sectors should strengthen collaboration with production facilities in research and testing, staff training, and propose directions for developing materials technology.

Ministries, sectors, and localities must develop comprehensive plans, five-year plans, and annual plans through the National Program Management Board for submission to the Government for consolidation into the national plan. At each stage, they must report to the National Program Management Board on their implementation status. Based on this, the Program Management Board will compile and report to the Prime Minister.

Ministers of ministries, heads of agencies equivalent to ministries, and chairpersons of provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for enforcing this Resolution.