Arvand Petrochemical Company in Khuzestan Province has increased its chlorine output by 17% in the last Iranian year (ended March 20, 2020) compared to the previous year, helping increase the feedstock and production of several other petrochemical plants, managing director of the company said.
“The company produced 685,000 tons per year of chlorine, 100,000 tons more than the output of a year ago when it produced 585,000 tons,” Hassan Neshanzadeh Moqaddam was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news agency Shana.
The official noted that is the largest producer of chlorine in Ira and supplies feedstock to several other petrochemical plants, including Bandar Imam, Ghadir, Karoun and Khuzestan.
“After receiving more feedstock, those plants have also increased their production of various petrochemical items,” he added.
Chlorine is a chemical element that does not occur in nature in its elementary form; it is only present in compounds such as chlorides. It is generally manufactured using the chlor-alkali electrolysis process.
One of the most important feedstock for the chemicals industry, Chlorine is also used for water treatment because of its disinfecting properties.
Neshanzadeh noted that Arvand Petrochemical Company has also raised its production of emulsion polyvinyl chloride (EPVC) by 21% last year.
According to the official, the company’s annual EPVC production reached 28,000 tons last year while demand was at 24,000 tons per year and the surplus of 4,000 tons can be exported.
The raw material is used in the production of footwear, bags and leather. “Domestic footwear and leather producers had to import the chemical compound from South Korea, China, or Saudi Arabia, but now they have access to high-quality EPVC at more affordable prices,” he added.
The rise in the output of chlorine and EPVC happened while the country was hit by tough US sanctions.
The US announced fresh economic sanctions on Iran in August 2018 by targeting key industrial sectors. In May 2018, the former US pesident, Donald Trump, tore up the landmark 2015 nuclear deal Iran had signed with six world powers and in November imposed a second round of sanctions against the key energy sector.
With a production capacity of 2.8 million tons of various products per year, Arvand Petrochemical Company produces chlorine, EPVC, sodium hydroxide, polyvinyl chloride, suspension polyvinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, vinylchloride monomer, caustic soda and a variety of PVC grades.
Referring to the diversity of products needed for the petrochemical sector, Neshanzadeh said an estimated 730,000 tons of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, are produced in Iran, of which 50% are manufactured in Arvand Petrochemical Company.
PVC is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer (after polyethylene and polypropylene). About 40 million tons of PVC are produced each year.
PVC is a versatile material used in window frames, drainage pipe, water service pipe, medical devices, blood storage bags, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, roofing membranes, stationery, automotive interiors and seat coverings, fashion, footwear and packaging.
The company also accounts for 90% of the total caustic soda, which is a versatile alkali. Its main uses are in the manufacture of pulp and paper, alumina, soap and detergents, petroleum products and chemical production. Other applications include water treatment, food, textiles, metal processing, mining, glass making and others.
