Petchem Export Revenue to Grow 46%
Iran's petrochemical exports significantly contribute to non-oil economy. Statistics show that after crude oil, the petrochemical sector remains a key source of income in Iran.
The share of petrochemical exports from Iran's non-oil products has reached 33%. The figure is expected to reach 35% soon. The CEO of Iran's National Petrochemical Company (NPC), Behzad Mohammadi, told at the Iran Oil Show that after the inauguration of 18 petrochemical projects by 2021, Iran's revenue from petrochemical exports will grow 46% to $25 billion.
He said the petrochemical industry was a key economic sector, adding that revenues from this sector were very important for Iran.
Mohammadi said that oil and gas refineries and LNG projects were supplying about 25.3 million tonnes of feedstock, two-thirds of which was gas feedstock and one-third liquid feedstock.
He said a total of 55 petrochemical plants were operational in Iran, receiving 25.3 million tonnes of feedstock.
He added that there were two petrochemical hubs in Iran, one in Mahshahr and one in Assaluyeh.
Mohammadi said Assaluyeh was home to 16 petrochemical plants, Mahshahr had 20 while 19 petrochemical plants were located in other parts of the country.
18 Petchem Groups
Mohammadi said: "We are producing 18 groups of polymer products. There are about 300 grades of polymer products and 44 tonnes of chemicals in this industry."
He said Iran had 31 million tonnes of petrochemicals on sale adding: "Of this 31 million tonnes of petrochemicals, 22.5 million tonnes are exported to various countries and 8.5 million tonnes supplied domestically, and 4.7 million tonnes traded on the exchange."
"We earn $17.1 billion from selling 31 million tonnes of petrochemicals, $12.1 billion of which is from exports and $5 billion from the products traded on the exchange," he said.
30 Destinations
The NPC chief said Iran's petrochemical products were destined to 30 nations in Europe and Asia. "There are several hundred customers from across the globe," he added.
Mohammadi said a low-density polyethylene production plant would come online in Lorestan Province in the current calendar year, adding that Iran would be producing 12 methanol brands by 2025.
He said that in addition to the technical knowhow for catalyst production, Iran had to look for technical savvy of special process.
"The NPC will be preset in the MTP plant to hedge investment risks because the polypropylene produced from methanol would be instrumental in job creation in the petrochemical industry," he added.