Khomein Petrochemical Complex in the namesake city in Markazi Province, with annual production capacity of 185,000 tons of polypropylene, will go on stream within a year, the site manager of the company said.
Referring to the capacity of the plant to produce 12 polypropylene grades and compounds, Mohamadreza Delkhosh said products would be for domestic companies and the export market, the Association of Petrochemical Employers Union reported.
The plant will use propylene, ethylene and butane as feedstock to be supplied by the Isfahan and Shazand petrochemical companies.
Built on an area of 33 hectares, the project is an undertaking of the private sector.
“Construction started last year and has shown almost 60% progress. It is estimated that the plant will be operational in the first half of the next fiscal,” Delkhosh said.
Polypropylene is one of the most versatile thermoplastic polymers available commercially. It is the world's second most widely produced synthetic plastic, after polyethylene.
The polymer has a wide range of application including packaging and labeling, textiles, carpets, stationery, plastic parts and reusable containers, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers, automotive components, and polymer banknotes.
Construction of Khomein polypropylene plant is in line with the National Petrochemical Company’s program to complete the value chain of the petrochemical industry that has been in expansion mode but has its own problems.
The industry has recorded sustainable growth over the past five years, such that petrochemical complexes have increased from 43 to 53. Installed capacity has reached 62 million tons per annum from 59.8 million tons and production reached 50 million tons from 41.3 million tons per year in the recent past.
Actual output is less than nominal capacity due to periodic overhauls of the companies, technical problems and lack of raw materials among other reasons.
