Masan High-Tech Materials: from sustainable mining to smart green production

Masan High-Tech Materials, a member company of Masan Group, is participating in Vietnam International Innovation Expo 2023 (VIIE 2023) as one of the leading technology enterprises at the National Innovation Center - Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park.

Taking place from October 28 to November 1, the event is attracting participation of nearly 300 big corporations and tech giants.

VIIE 2023, hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, serves as a convergence of intelligence, talents, and resources from technology enterprises, research institutions, support organizations, incubators, and domestic and international investment funds.

As an event connecting elements within the largest innovation ecosystem of the year in Vietnam, the exhibition paints a vivid picture of future technology through leading domestic and foreign innovative technology enterprises.

Masan High-Tech Materials (MHT) is the world's leading manufacturer of high-tech tungsten, with production complexes in Vietnam, Germany, Canada and China and two R&D centers in Germany and Vietnam. MHT is a member company of Masan Group, which currently owns Nui Phao polymetallic tungsten mine in Thai Nguyen.

MHT is a high-tech material manufacturer possessing modern production technology, strict management processes, and compliance with environmental protection regulations. It is also an exemplary enterprise in implementing carbon neutrality initiatives, promoting a circular economy and saving energy.

With a clearly defined innovation goal focused on contributing to addressing emerging issues such as climate change, green development, clean energy, and digital transformation, MHT continually invests in researching and improving production processes, creating breakthrough solutions, and developing green products to meet the increasing market demands. As of 2023, the company holds nearly 100 new patents worldwide, with an additional 50 in the application stage.

MHT’s high-tech products have reached the global market. Specifically, 45% of the company's products are sold in Europe, 22% in North America, 18% are manufactured in China and sold in the Chinese market, and 15% are sold in the rest of the world. It boasts an extensive customer network, serving more than 300 customers in 30 different countries.

In 2022, MHT invested in Nyobolt to develop a battery line applying tungsten high-tech materials with fast charging speed and outstanding safety. The product is 10 times the capacity of conventional batteries to align with the global trend of using clean fuels. Recently, Nyobolt launched an electric car that can be fully charged in less than six minutes, setting a record charging speed and promising to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry.

In early 2023, MHT launched a globally patented tungsten powder brand 'starck2charge' used in the production of fast-charging and safe Li-ion batteries. This product is expected to address new energy challenges and create a clean energy ecosystem, particularly playing a significant role in the electric vehicle industry.

Furthermore, the company continues to introduce tungsten powder blends for industries utilizing 3D printing technology, ensuring high stability and purity, especially suitable for the medical field. These products represent Masan High-Tech Materials' commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the needs of advanced technology companies and global industries.

Through research projects and laboratory and pilot plant experiments, MHT has developed and perfected a recycling process, allowing the recovery of lithium, tungsten, nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese from waste battery products. Additionally, specific refining formulations have been developed to achieve higher recovery efficiency while utilizing less energy and water to extract the minerals.

It consistently seeks and establishes closed-loop systems to reuse, recycle, and renew materials, reducing dependence on raw materials and limiting waste generation. The integration of AI into the operating system facilitates faster reactions to changes in operating conditions and optimizes processes. Simultaneously, new products are being developed from the waste stream of mining operations, including magnetite concentrates for the steel industry and fluorspar additives for the cement industry.

These outstanding technological achievements have enabled MHT to no longer depend solely on primary supply in mineral exploitation. Instead, the company promotes a circular business model through urban waste mining, waste collection, production, and scrap recycling.

End-of-life assets now serve as sources of raw materials for the creation of new materials and products. Currently, MHT is actively working on building Asia's first and largest tungsten recycling plant in Thai Nguyen province, with the goal of making Vietnam a leading recycling hub for tungsten and precious metals in the region.

CEO Craig Bradshaw said: "Masan High-Tech Materials identifies innovation and sustainable green production as the focus of its development strategy, integral to its global strategy. The success of Masan High-Tech Materials' innovation is attributed to the combination of a world-class R&D platform and a team of dedicated, specialized application engineers with the ability to develop products that meet the rigorous technical requirements and changing needs of customers."

MHT is a global leader in providing advanced tungsten materials used in key industries such as electronics, chemical, automotive, aviation and aerospace, energy and pharmaceuticals with production facilities in Vietnam, Germany, Canada and China, servicing the world.

As the largest manufacturer of mid-stream tungsten products outside of China, the company has two research and development centers in Germany and Vietnam, and it is currently operating the Nui Phao polymetallic mine and a state-of-the art processing plant in Thai Nguyen province. Masan High-Tech Materials is also a globally significant producer of fluorspar and bismuth.

It reported its revenue of VND15.55 trillion (nearly $662 million) last year, a year-on-year increase of 15% thanks to strong demand and pricing for Tungsten products.