2026-07-13

From a Seawater Solution for Fishing Boats to Nano Graphene Engine Oil

Born from the sea, grown through technology, and reaching further through innovation.

From a group of lecturers with a dream to serve the fishing industry

The journey of SDVICO began with a group of lecturers from Ba Ria – Vung Tau University. Their starting point was simple yet meaningful: developing a seawater filtration system that converts seawater into fresh water for fishing vessels.

This invention was not merely a technical solution. It was a commitment to thousands of Vietnamese fishermen who spend their lives working far out at sea.

In 2014, the project officially evolved into SDVICO (Smart Development and Value Innovation Company), carrying the ambition of applying technology to the fishing industry. Since then, dozens of technological products have been developed, contributing to improved fishing efficiency, reduced operational costs, and better environmental protection of the marine ecosystem.

From a startup born in a laboratory, SDVICO has grown into a pioneering marine technology enterprise, leading innovation trends in mechanical engineering, advanced materials, and energy solutions for Vietnam’s fisheries sector.

PV ENGINE RMI Nano Graphene – A Technology Product of Vietnam’s New Innovation Generation

One of the most outstanding products recently developed by SDVICO is PV ENGINE RMI Nano Graphene, a premium engine oil researched and manufactured according to international standards.

Product Overview

PV ENGINE RMI Nano Graphene is a high-quality synthetic engine oil recommended for heavy-duty diesel engines equipped with turbochargers, operating in the harshest conditions and requiring strict emission control.

The Nano Graphene additive technology, the result of intensive research in advanced materials, provides several key benefits:

Reduces friction and maximizes engine protection
Extends oil change intervals and improves fuel efficiency
Reduces CO₂ emissions, making it more environmentally friendly
Offers high thermal stability and oxidation resistance under extreme operating conditions
Protects turbochargers and ensures long-term stable performance

Application Scope

Heavy-duty engines manufactured by European, American, and Japanese brands
Diesel engines used in generators, ships, trucks, and tractor units
Vehicles equipped with catalytic emission control systems meeting Euro 4 – US 2002 standards

PV ENGINE RMI Nano Graphene is not only a technological product - it represents the continuous spirit of innovation among Vietnam’s young entrepreneurs in the marine economy sector.

Vung Tau – A Model Innovation Ecosystem for the Marine Economy

The story of SDVICO cannot be separated from the dynamic innovation ecosystem in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, where businesses, scientists, and startups collaborate to build a sustainable future for the fishing industry.

Through initiatives such as Marine Economy Startup Competitions, incubation programs, technology support initiatives, and especially the open and supportive mindset of local authorities and businesses, Vung Tau is gradually positioning itself as an innovation hub for the marine economy of Vietnam and ASEAN.

Continuing the Journey

More than a decade after its founding, SDVICO continues to uphold its spirit of: “Innovation from the sea, spreading through technology.”

With a young team, strong R&D capabilities, and a vision toward international markets, SDVICO is expanding its products into energy, advanced materials, and environmental protection technologies - key areas for the green transition of Vietnam’s marine economy.

““We started with a small solution to serve fishermen, and today we aspire to bring Vietnamese technology to the global ocean economy.” -Tran Thai Son, Founder of SDVICO

KisStartup – A Proud Partner Supporting SDVICO’s Growth

KisStartup is proud to accompany SDVICO during key stages of its development. As the company entered a phase of market expansion and innovation capacity building, KisStartup supported SDVICO through coaching and market connection activities.

Key support activities included:

Strategic coaching to shape technology product development and sustainable business models
International market connections, including participation in the Vietnam – Canada Impact Exchange Forum, creating opportunities for collaboration with international partners and introducing Vietnamese startup technologies to the world
Scientific collaboration networks, enabling SDVICO to continue developing new product lines based on its core R&D capabilities

SDVICO is one of the representative startups supported by KisStartup within the Marine Economy Startup Program of Ba Ria – Vung Tau, implemented since 2020.

SDVICO CASE BOX

SDVICO – From Seawater Filtration to Nano Graphene Engine Oil: A Journey of Innovation in Vietnam’s Marine Economy

Client: SDVICO – Smart Development and Value Innovation Company
Flagship Product: PV ENGINE RMI Nano Graphene
Sector: Marine technology, advanced materials, clean energy
Supported by: KisStartup – Innovation consulting and coaching

CHALLENGE: From the Freshwater Problem on Fishing Boats to the Ambition of Transforming the Fisheries Value Chain

On offshore fishing vessels, freshwater is always a scarce resource. The question that inspired the founders was simple yet critical: “How can fishermen have fresh water for long sea voyages without carrying hundreds of liters of heavy water that occupy space and easily become contaminated?”

From this question, the seawater-to-freshwater filtration system was born - marking the beginning of an innovation journey in the fisheries sector.

However, once the first problem was solved, the team realized there were larger issues to address:

Fishermen still faced high costs for fuel, engine oil, and maintenance
Existing technologies were not environmentally friendly, leading to inefficient resource use
Innovation solutions in the fisheries sector remained fragmented and lacked ecosystem support for scaling

To bring technology beyond the laboratory, SDVICO was established in 2014 with a mission to apply science and technology to redefine how humans exploit and protect marine resources.

Yet the path from research to commercialization was not easy. As a young enterprise, SDVICO had to confront multiple challenges related to:

Business model development
Market access
Technology commercialization
Human resources
Partnership networks

SOLUTION – Bringing Laboratory Innovation to the Market

Recognizing the potential of a university-originated enterprise developing high-technology solutions for the fisheries sector - a field with significant impact on Vietnam’s marine economy - SDVICO began experimenting with new technological solutions and product lines.

RESULT – From a Small Engineering Startup to a Pioneer Marine Technology Company

After nearly a decade of development, SDVICO has achieved several significant milestones.

1. Development of dozens of technology products for the fisheries sector

From seawater filtration systems, SDVICO expanded into fuel-saving technologies, vessel maintenance solutions, and most notably Nano Graphene engine oil, marking a major breakthrough in advanced material applications for marine engines.

2. Launch of the PV ENGINE RMI Nano Graphene brand

PV ENGINE is a premium synthetic engine oil using Nano Graphene additives that:

Reduce friction and engine wear
Improve fuel efficiency
Extend engine lifespan
Reduce emissions and environmental impact

3. Recognition within the marine innovation ecosystem

SDVICO has become a successful case study in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, demonstrating how local ecosystems can nurture and scale marine technology startups based on regional strengths.

4. Multi-stakeholder collaboration

The SDVICO model illustrates a collaborative ecosystem involving:

Businesses
Scientists
Government institutions
Investors

This collaboration bridges the gap between innovation and traditional fisheries, inspiring the vision of “technology for Vietnam’s ocean economy.”

IMPACT – Spreading the Spirit of Innovation in Vietnam’s Marine Economy

SDVICO’s story reflects a broader vision: Building a marine innovation ecosystem based on knowledge, technology, and collaboration.

Economic and Social Impact

Reducing operational costs for fishermen and maritime transport companies
Increasing the domestic value of marine industrial products
Contributing to CO₂ emission reduction targets in the marine sector

Technological Impact

Opening new applications for Nano Graphene materials in mechanical engineering and energy sectors
Demonstrating practical technology transfer between universities and industry

Ecosystem Impact

Becoming a case study for other coastal provinces seeking to develop marine innovation ecosystems
Contributing to positioning Vung Tau as a regional innovation hub for marine technology in Vietnam and ASEAN

Sustainability Impact

Encouraging green transition and circular economy practices in fisheries
Integrating marine culture, technology, and innovation into a distinctive development model

KisStartup is proud to have witnessed and supported SDVICO during certain stages of its journey - contributing in a small way to strengthening local innovation capabilities, where knowledge, technology, and entrepreneurial spirit come together to build a modern, green, and sustainable marine economy for Vietnam.

Support activities included:

Strategic coaching and business model development
Connecting scientists and enterprises
Linking markets and international partners
Promoting local innovation ecosystems

SDVICO remains one of the representative startups supported by KisStartup in the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Marine Economy Startup Program, where businesses, researchers, and startups collaborate to build a thriving innovation ecosystem for Vietnam’s marine economy.