Bandar Imam Petrochemical Company in Mahshahr, Khuzestan Province, has completed studies to develop its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) unit by completing the chlorine value chain, managing director of the firm said.
“There is a yearly excess of 140,000 tons of ethylene dichloride (EDC) that is one of the important sources to produce vinylchloride monomer,” Sepahdar Ansari-Nik was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news portal.
The company sold the surplus EDC in the past, but studies show that it can be converted to PVC, a more value-added commodity that can help raise the company’s export revenues, he added.
Ansari-Nik said the PVC development plan will double BIPC’s annual output at 200,000 tons.
With the implementation of the scheme within two years, in addition to meeting the needs of domestic industries, the feed needed for the development of downstream industries will be provided and the surplus will be exported to generate revenue, he added.
An estimated 730,000 tons of PVC are produced in Iran per year.
PVC is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer (after polyethylene and polypropylene). About 40 million tons of PVC are produced annually.
It 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, footwear and packaging.
Numerous Products
BIPC produced more than 777,000 tons of numerous products, which is 111% higher compared with the same period of last year.
After carrying out the most extensive overhaul program in the company’s history last year, BIPC succeeded in increasing the production of all units since the beginning of the year.
The company produces ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene and xylene as the main petrochemical products. These products are mainly used to convert to intermediate and final products such as LDPE, high density polyethylene, synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride and paraxylene.
It is located over an area of 270 hectares on the northwestern flank of the Persian Gulf.
Ease of access to feedstock and raw materials, as well as all kinds of transport facilities, are among the major features of the complex.
It has promoted the development of southwestern Khuzestan Province as one of the two important poles of the country’s petrochemical industry and most importantly, by creating added value and preventing the burning of flare gas.
Last year, the company registered a record in one of its production units. The low density polyethylene unit of the company has an annual design capacity of 100,000 tons but last year, the company had a 12% increase in the unit’s production.
Built in 1973, BIPC produces a wide range of chemicals, aromatics and polymers, including ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene and xylene as the main products of the petrochemical industry.
These products are mainly used to convert to intermediate and final products such as low- and high-density polyethylene, synthetic rubber, paraxylene and caustic soda. It is also the largest LPG producer in Iran.
