Southern Steel Corporation – Vnsteel participated in the 80th Anniversary of Socio-Economic Achievements Exhibition, themed "80 years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness", held from 28/8 to 15/9 at the National Exhibition Center in Dong Anh, Hanoi.

Southern Steel's message at the exhibition was "Responsible steel production for the environment, towards a sustainable green industry". The company showcased a range of products such as: CB240-T smooth round bars with diameters from D6-D16mm (and SAE1008 wire rod); D10-50mm smooth round bars; rebar; equal angle steel; and steel billets, all produced using "green technology".

Leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with representatives of the industry press, visit and take souvenir photos at VNSteel's exhibition area. *Photo: Southern Steel*

At its Ba Ria – Vung Tau plant, Southern Steel operates a large bag filter system with over 4,140 filter bags and a suction capacity of 1.56 million m3 per hour, running continuously 24/7. All emissions data is monitored online and instantly connected to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. From 2017 to 2020, the company invested over 42 billion VND in this system.

In addition to emissions, wastewater and solid waste are also thoroughly addressed. At the scrap yard, a potential high-pollution area, a wastewater treatment system with a capacity of 950 m3 per day has been built. All treated wastewater meets QCVN 40:2011/BTNMT (National Technical Regulation on Industrial Wastewater) standards before being discharged, and data is monitored 24/7 for transparency.

Southern Steel has also switched from fuel oil to natural gas, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Several energy-saving solutions, such as replacing IE2 motors with IE3–IE4 motors, installing inverters for water pumps, and utilizing hot billets, have helped the company save millions of kWh annually.

Visitors learn about Southern Steel at the exhibition. *Photo: Southern Steel*

According to a company representative, truly "green" steel production goes beyond waste treatment, reduced consumption, and ISO application. The core lies in innovative production thinking, specifically investing in research and development and carbon accounting as integral parts of operations management.

Southern Steel focuses resources on key projects, including upgrading product quality to meet international standards (BS4449:2005, ASTM A615/A615M-14); optimizing energy consumption in smelting and rolling; researching waste heat recovery equipment to convert waste heat into usable energy. The company is also improving its production line to shorten smelting and rolling time, extend equipment lifespan, and build an internal emissions measurement and control system toward carbon transparency for each batch of steel.

In 2024, the company completed its greenhouse gas inventory report according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's standards, including both Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions. Electricity, compressed air, oxygen, water, and emissions are all monitored and transparently recorded. This is considered a leading step in the context of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is erecting increasingly stringent "green barriers" for exports.

Southern Steel's rebar products. *Photo: Southern Steel*

Le Viet, General Director of Southern Steel Corporation - Vnsteel, shared that steel production must not only meet quality standards but also be environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, apply advanced technology, and prioritize social responsibility. "This is the necessary path for sustainable existence in the new era," he affirmed.

The company also fosters a green culture within its factory by improving the landscape for cleanliness, aesthetics, and eco-friendliness; providing regular environmental safety training; and encouraging technical innovation initiatives. In 2023, 8 of the company's initiatives were recognized, many originating from production workers.

Ngo Minh