Sanofi Vietnam signs a memorandum of understanding with the BSB Nanotechnology Joint Stock Company on cooperation in implementing the project “Rice Is the New Green” on Friday. — Photo courtesy of Sanofi Vietnam
Sanofi Vietnam has signed a memorandum of understanding with the BSB Nanotechnology Joint Stock Company (BSB Nanotech) on co-operation in implementing the project “Rice Is the New Green” (RING Project).
This is a significant step in establishing BSB Nanotech as a strategic partner in the RING project with the aim of creating a brand new rice husk circular economy by converting rice husk material into pure silica for manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions significantly in Viet Nam.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Nguyen Viet Hung, CEO of BSB Nanotech said: “BSB Nanotech owns the technology for producing nanosilica from rice husks and is the first company in the world to convert rice husks to nanosilica on an industrial scale with multiple industrial applications.”
“The RING project with outstanding technologies of BSB Nanotech is a sustainable circular economy concept that confirms the high performance of an international collaboration programme comprehensive technology solutions. BSB is proud to be a part of this project and Sanofi’s long-term aim of making Viet Nam greener."
“The Rice Is the New Green project is demonstrating the highest passion and commitment of Sanofi to support the green energy ecosystem in Viet Nam,” said Eric Auschitzky, head of Sanofi Vietnam’s Industrial Affairs.
“We are extremely excited to have BSB Nanotech on board with the project as it will allow us to build a fully circular economy in Viet Nam. This project is extremely ambitious as we are aiming to reduce significantly the carbon dioxide footprint in Viet Nam while building a brand new biomass industry with massive positive social and economic impact for Viet Nam,” he added.
As part of a long-standing commitment to reduce the environmental footprint, Sanofi Group launched a VND80 billion (US$3.47 million) fund to support projects across the globe that will further contribute to a healthier environment.
In 2021, Sanofi launched a global ideation process and selected the most innovative and impactful green initiatives. Among more than 200 green initiatives presented, Sanofi Vietnam won first prize and received funding for its RING project.
The Sanofi Vietnam factory located in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park will replace a diesel boiler with a rice husk biomass boiler and remove 2.3 Ktons of CO2 emissions per year. This model is expected to pioneer promotion of other industries in Viet Nam to seek alternatives to diesel fuel, contributing to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions nationwide.
In September 2021, Sanofi Vietnam and GIZ’s Climate Protection through the Sustainable Bioenergy Market in Viet Nam (BEM) signed an agreement on co-operation in implementing the RING project.
GIZ has joined the project as the technical advisor by bringing their deep expertise and experience in biomass energy together with their strong connections within the bioenergy ecosystem in Viet Nam. — VNS