In line with plans to complete the value-added chain in Sadaf Petrochemical Asalouyeh Company, a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) unit is being constructed in the company under the supervision of Versalis S.p.A., a chemical firm affiliated to Italian oil and gas giant Eni, the managing director of SPAC said.
"The SBR unit, with a capacity of 136,000 tons per year, has been designed with the help of Italian Maire Tecnimony," Samad Kargar was also quoted as saying by NIPNA, the National Petrochemical Company's news agency.
According to the official, the venture is being constructed in Asalouyeh Styrene Park.
"Key equipment and machinery, including tanks, pipes and taps, as well as civil engineering services, have been provided by domestic manufacturers," Kargar said, adding that upon completion, 80% of catalysts will also be purchased from Iranian chemical firms.
SBR is largely used to manufacture tires and industrial rubber goods for automotive industry.
Kargar noted that negotiations are underway with Versalis to buy the much-needed technology to produce high solid content latex—another value-added commodity in petrochemical industries.
"The project requires $197 million to go on stream. As soon as the final technology transfer agreement is concluded with the Italian firm, the funds will be provided with the help of domestic stakeholders, including Iranian and Pars petrochemical companies. Moreover, the plan is projected to become fully operational in two years," he said.
Highlighting the plant's eco-friendly policies, the official said, "The company has planned to achieve zero gas flaring in its ongoing projects and talks are underway to finalize zero flaring deals."
According to Kargar, the projects will be equipped with zero liquid discharge (ZLD) for the disposal of wastewater.
A ZLD treatment system utilizes advanced technological water treatment processes to limit liquid waste at the end of your industrial process to, as the name suggests, zero.
Pointing to other advantages of using Versalis technical know-how, Kargar said, "The technology will help our products to comply with international standards. Besides, there will be no worries about producing nitrosamine that is among hazardous chemicals produced in SBR production process."
The managing director announced that Pars and Jam petrochemical plants will supply 45,000 tons of styrene, 83,000 tons of butadiene and 25,000 tons of aromatic oils as feedstock to the project.
Kargar noted that receiving regular feedstock is a great advantage, as it helps the company have a strong presence in foreign markets.
Iran expects China to be a major export market for Sadaf’s SBR products, with a demand of 1.5 million tons a year.
The company expects to export around 50,000 tons of SBR per year.
