Ilam Petrochemical Company in Ilam Province has successfully used the catalyst made by the Petrochemical Research and Technology Company in its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) unit, managing director of the company said.
“Using the indigenized catalyst has helped the company save $6 million, which would otherwise be spent on importing the item from other countries like China or Japan,” Seyyed Gholam Hassan Garshasbi was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news portal.
The catalyst was previously imported but due to the US sanctions in recent years, the country faced difficulties. Therefore, experts and engineers at PRTC endeavored and succeeded in acquiring the knowhow for producing the catalyst.
Referring to the cost of producing the catalyst domestically at about 70% of the cost of the foreign counterpart, he said that in view of the success of the catalyst’s use in the company, the construction of a catalyst unit in the complex has been placed on the agenda.
According to Garshasbi, Ilam Petrochemical Company’s annual demand for catalysts is about 30 tons.
The HDPE unit, which was launched in 2013, originally had an HDPE production capacity of 40 tons per hour, which has increased by 10% this year.
Polyethylene is the world's most versatile and widely produced polymer. High-density polyethylene is a thermoplastic polymer produced from monomer ethylene. Commonly recycled, it is used for producing plastic bottles, corrosion-resistant pipes, geo-membranes and plastic lumber.
HDPE is also used for producing PE-100 pipes that have higher and long-term durability with applications in oil, gas, water and wastewater systems.
HDPE Market
A recent study by the strategic consulting and market research firm BlueWeave Consulting revealed that the global HDPE market was 54.7 million tons in 2021 and is projected to reach 78 million tons by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% over the analysis period of 2022-28.
The expansion of HDPE market can be primarily attributed to the large array of properties exhibited by HDPE that expands its employability across several sectors. It is strong, resistant to chemical corrosion and inexpensive, in addition to possessing excellent processability. It is the ideal material for manufacturing and packaging operations.
These factors are driving the growth of the global high-density polyethylene market during the forecast period of 2022-28.
Founded in 2004, Ilam Petrochemical Company is an olefin plant located in western Iran, which produces a wide range of products, including ethylene, HDPE, crystal melamine, ammonia sulfate and sulfuric acid.
PRTC is the mainstay for research and production of technology in all petrochemical fields. It helps create tech security and contributes to economic growth by exporting knowhow.
