Hegmataneh Petrochemical Plant in Hamedan Province is set for launch in the second half of the current fiscal year, and when operational will produce one of the rarest petrochemicals in the world.
The plant will annually produce 48,000 tons of medical grade powder and granular polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is one of the unique petrochemicals and only a few countries have the technology to produce it, the Oil Ministry news agency Shana reported.
PVC from the facility will be of special importance as it is used in manufacturing products for hospitals and pharmaceutical firms.
Currently, Abadan, Ghadir, Bandar Imam and Arvand petrochemical complexes produce around 745,000 tons of PVC a year.
The last PVC production unit founded in Iran was Arvand Petrochemical Plant, which was launched nine years ago. Hegmataneh will increase the PVC production capacity and it will be the first of its kind to produce such PVC compounds in the country.
The new factory will not only obviate the need for importing medical grade PVC powder and granule, but gradually turn Iran into an exporter of this item.
The National Petrochemical Company has supported construction of the petrochemical plant.
Iran has significantly expanded the scale and scope of petrochemical production. Companies now supply most of the domestic needs and export in big volumes, thanks to the diversity of products
Iran will invest $40 billion in the key petrochemical sector to increase output from the current 66 million tons to 133 million tons in six years, recent reports have said.
According to NPC, by the end of the current fiscal (March 2021), 16 petrochemical plants will start production and seven more will come on stream next year.
With 50% rise, petrochemical production will reach 100 million tons by 2021. In quantitative terms, plans call for annual production of 133 million tons by 2025 -- double the current output.
Iran has significantly expanded the scale and scope of its petrochemical production. Companies now supply most of the domestic needs and export in large volumes, thanks to the diversity of products.
The government says it wants to make optimal use of its comparative advantage and complete the supply chain of the rapidly growing industry. For NPC the top priority is to upgrade the status of the industry in the region and beyond by enhancing production and asserting its presence in international markets.
Currently, 350 types of petrochemicals are produced in Iran for which there is high international demand.
Many countries import Iranian petrochemicals, including neighboring states, China, India, Southeast Asia and Europe.
Petrochemical has played a key role in the economy as it creates value-added and helps reduce oil and gas exports on which governments have been over dependent for decades but are now compelled to find new ways to manage the affairs of 83 million people.
