A domestic knowledge-based company has produced an antibacterial masterbatch for use in various industries.
Iranian companies active in the fields of advanced materials, nanomaterials and the chemical industry have localized dozens of products that could not be imported due to international sanctions.
One of the growing fields in the country is the production of antibacterial masterbatch using nanotechnology.
The increasing use of plastic materials at present has underscored the importance of ensuring the safety of these materials, according to the head of the Board of Directors of Now-Avaran Nano Meqiyas Borhan Company.
“Antibacterial masterbatch helps make plastic materials and products antibacterial. For example, the car's steering wheel or dashboard can be made antibacterial by using this nanotech product,” Reyhaneh Ettefaq was also quoted as saying by the news portal of Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.
“All the plastic materials and products used in hospitals, operating rooms and other health centers could be upgraded in terms of hygiene and health by using this product,” she added.
Another product of this knowledge-based company is zinc oxide, which has antibacterial properties and is used in the manufacture of products such as tiles and ceramics.
Tiles with a layer of this nanotech product are more hygienic and used in hospitals or kitchens. It is also possible to produce carpets, rugs and flooring materials, especially in pilgrimage, religious and crowded places, using this antibacterial material.
The domestic company also produces a type of graphene oxide, which is sold at one-third of the price of foreign counterparts. This material helps cool hot and flammable materials and products such as pipes used in oil and gas industries.
“Currently, more than 1,000 knowledge-based companies are active in the fields of advanced materials and chemical technology, and a significant number are working in the field of nanotechnology. These companies have been able to propel the country toward self-sufficiency in many areas under sanctions,” the head of the company said, adding that the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology has made extensive investments in such companies.
Ettefaq noted that the vice presidency is encouraging the development of the value chain in this field through its Nanotechnology Development Headquarters and other entities.
“Our company, which consists of an academic core, including PhD and master's graduates in nanotechnology, has endeavored to supply products and services necessary for various industries,” she said.
Domestic Refractory Ceramics Prevent Currency Outflow
Another knowledge-based company has produced industrial refractory ceramics, which prevented a significant currency outflow from importing counterparts.
These ceramics are used in advanced industries and modern manufacturing processes, according to a member of the Board of Directors of Evarplast Komesh Company.
“Using refractory ceramics in places where there is a possibility of fire or high heat can be very economical and safe [due to their higher resistance compared with metals and other materials],” Nahid Chegeni was also quoted as saying by the news portal of the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.
Refractory ceramics show good resistance in environments with very high temperatures and can withstand physical wear and corrosion caused by chemical agents, hence they are used to line hot surfaces inside industrial equipment and furnaces.
These ceramics can be used in automotive, railroad, oil, gas, petrochemical, wood and furniture, printing and packaging, textile, electrical, electronic and telecommunication industries. They are essential to petrochemical production and gasoline refining.
Chegeni said refractory ceramics have many other features such as excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion, high thermal insulation and mechanical resistance, low thermal expansion and excellent wear resistance.
Refractory ceramics show high resistance to chemical reactions, corrosion and pressures applied during the manufacturing processes. They are mainly used in industries dealing with fire, especially in industrial furnaces, as they can withstand temperatures of 600-2,000 degrees Celsius.
The company official noted that the thin industrial refractory ceramic has high torsion strength, electrical shock resistance, electrical insulation and thermal tolerance.
“The production of refractory ceramic production has created many direct and indirect jobs,” she said, without further elaboration.
Nanocoatings Help Enhance Building’s Beauty, Lifespan
A domestic knowledge-based company has produced nanocoatings for protecting buildings from damages and extending its lifespan.
Nanocoatings produced by Sepahan Nano Faraz Company can help prevent the formation of scales and flakes on a building’s surface, reduce the growth of fungus, mold and algae, and block moisture from penetrating a building’s wall.
Stains and oily pollutants mar the beauty of buildings’ façades made with concrete, wood, bricks, tiles and other materials, which can be preserved with the help of the nanocoating.
Also known as ceramic coating, the nanocoating is applied as a surface layer in both liquid and solid forms to repel polluting dry particles, water, oil and dirt, and optimize energy consumption.
Revitalizing dark stone surfaces, protecting internal and external walls, especially of public places like schools, hospitals, mosques and ancient monuments, and helping construction contractors and owners are the most important benefits of using this domestic product.
Depending on the type and mode of application, a property’s mechanical and functional efficiency is retained and the appearance of materials and structures is preserved.
The use of waterproof coatings on all kinds of building materials will reduce the excessive accumulation of water on their surface and increases a building’s lifespan.
