Supporting the ceramic industry with new technology

“The red ceramic capital” - the red ceramic brick village of the province is gradually reviving thanks to practical support policies from the Project “Enhancing the value chain of the red ceramic industry in the period 2021-2025”. When modern machinery and equipment are put into use, the production facility not only preserves the quintessence of the ancestors' craft, but also opens up a direction for sustainable and environmentally friendly development.

“The red ceramic capital” - the red ceramic brick village of the province is gradually reviving thanks to practical support policies from the Project “Enhancing the value chain of the red ceramic industry in the period 2021-2025”. When modern machinery and equipment are put into use, the production facility not only preserves the quintessence of the ancestors' craft, but also opens up a direction for sustainable and environmentally friendly development.

Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion accepted machinery at Sau Mung Company Limited.

Keep the profession by innovating

The terracotta pottery industry in Vinh Long was established in 1983 and developed brilliantly in the decade 1997-2007, when "Vinh Long Red Pottery" products were exported to many European countries, the US, Australia, Japan... However, when the industrialization process spread, traditional pottery villages encountered many difficulties, manual production was labor-intensive, low productivity, high cost, while the market required sophisticated, uniform and environmentally friendly products.

The Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion (Department of Industry and Trade) has implemented a series of projects to support the application of advanced machinery and equipment in production. This is an activity within the framework of the Project "Improving the value chain of the red ceramic industry in the period 2021-2025". Up to now, the province has supported 23 ceramic establishments with a budget of VND 2,762 billion. In 2025 alone, 10 establishments and enterprises will receive support of VND 1.27 billion, focusing on investment in machinery, equipment and training to improve production techniques.

Typically, two models at Phong Van Private Enterprise (Thanh Duc Ward) and Sau Mung Company Limited (Cai Nhum Commune) have just been supported by the Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion. At Phong Van facility, the investment in soil mixing machines and large pot rotating machines with a total cost of 270 million VND, of which 127 million VND came from industrial promotion sources, has brought about a clear turning point, improving the value chain of the red ceramic industry. "Previously, mixing soil manually was very laborious and had low productivity, but now with the machine, the products are even, productivity has doubled, even tripled. Machines not only help increase productivity, reduce costs but also limit defective products, save fuel, and protect the environment" - said Ms. Ho Thi Liem, the facility owner.

Sau Mung Company Limited invested in an air compressor worth 60 million VND, supported by 28 million VND from the industrial promotion fund. Ms. Huynh Kim Thuy - Director of the company, said that the air compressor helps shape, spray mud, clean products 30% faster, the products are smoother, brighter, more uniform. The valuable thing, according to Ms. Kim Thuy, is that the support helps "encourage a change in production thinking, from manual to semi-automatic, towards a green, economical and sustainable model..."

Preserving the red pottery identity

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Dong Phuong - Director of the Center for Industrial Promotion and Trade Promotion, supporting enterprises to invest in new equipment has brought about "double effects" in terms of economy and society, helping to improve productivity, quality, save energy, reduce production costs and improve working conditions for workers. More importantly, it is a catalyst to help enterprises boldly innovate, gradually approach advanced technology while still maintaining the cultural identity of the pottery profession.

The success of the two models in Phong Van and Sau Mung is becoming the driving force for many other ceramic establishments in the region to boldly invest in machinery and improve production processes. Ms. Liem added that the establishment's products are mainly exported to European countries, the US, Australia, Japan, etc. Thanks to the investment in machinery and equipment, which has contributed to improving product quality, the establishment has boldly expanded production much more than before...

Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, affirmed that the project not only helps the local ceramic industry recover after a difficult period, but also contributes to repositioning the "Vinh Long Red Ceramic" brand on the export map.

“With such practical support, the flame of Vinh Long red pottery is still nurtured, shining forever in each product imbued with the soul of the land and people of the Mekong Delta. The hands of Vinh Long craftsmen are increasingly confident when entering a new era - where tradition and technology blend, creating a sustainable red color for the Vinh Long red pottery brand” - Mr. Tuan shared.

Article and photos: KHÁNH DUY

Source: https://baovinhlong.com.vn/kinh-te/202511/tiep-suc-nganh-gom-bang-cong-nghe-moi-51713e8/