The use of indigenized technical knowhow, especially in the field of catalysts, reduces cost in the petrochemical industry by 30%, managing director of Petrochemical Research and Technology Company said.
“The indigenization of all catalysts will help save about $1.15 billion annually, which would otherwise be spent on importing them. Although the price of catalysts in the petrochemical industry has a meager share in the whole project, if there is no catalyst, companies will face difficulty with their production and have to either close down or produce low-quality products,” Majid Daftari was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news agency Shana.
“Research activities for the indigenization of a number of major catalysts were carried out last year [March 2021-22] and they will be produced by the end of the current Iranian year [March 2023]),” he added. Daftari noted that several catalyst production units will also become operational by then.
Referring to some of the catalysts that will be supplied to petrochemical plants, he said the local experts and engineers at PRTC has indigenized the knowhow to produce catalysts used in the production of ammonia as well as propylene production from methanol.
“The construction of units for methanol synthesis catalysts, selective hydrogenation of acetylene catalysts and catalysts used in the production of nitrates and ethylene oxide is expected to be over by the end of the year,” he added.
The official noted that 85% of the catalysts used in the oil industry, including refining, gas and petrochemical sectors, have been indigenized and PRTC has 30% share of the localized knowledge of products.
As an example, Daftari said, “As several methanol production companies are active in the country, a new methanol catalyst has been localized for use in petrochemical plants. In the polymer sector, the knowhow of polyethylene and polypropylene catalysts, and in the non-polymer sector, the knowhow for ammonia catalysts have been indigenized in PRTC and soon they will be produced and enter the market.”
He stressed that PRTC hopes to succeed in the export of technical knowhow of catalysts and their production in collaboration with knowledge-based companies, as it has concluded 22 contracts, agreements and memorandums of understanding last year.
A catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction but is not consumed by it. Most solid catalysts are metals or oxides, sulfides and halides of metallic elements and semi-metallic elements such as boron, aluminum and silicon.
Iranian companies annually use at least 23,000 tons of catalysts. Catalyst consumption is rising and local companies are improving their R&D to not fall behind foreign competitors.
Global Status
Globally, the growing demand for petrochemical products across various industries such as agrochemicals, packaging, plastic, electronics, automotive and construction has been the key driver for the growth of the petrochemical catalysts market.
The positive outlook of each of these industries across the globe is increasing demand for petrochemical products, which is projected to positively impact the growth of the global petrochemical catalyst market in the long run.
The growing demand for olefins in plastic, packaging and polymer industries is projected to drive demand for petrochemicals and in turn, catalysts considerably.
The Asia Pacific region is estimated to account for a prominent share in the global petrochemical catalyst market owing to the positive outlook of different end-use industries.
China and Japan are prominent petrochemical producers and consumers, which are projected to increase demand for petrochemical catalysts during the forecast period.
North America is projected to hold a significant share in the global petrochemical catalyst market owing to the well-established petrochemical industry, and it is also the prominent producer of crude or fossil fuel.
Middle East and Africa are also projected to witness a significant share in the global petrochemical catalyst market owing to the presence of petrochemical refineries, which hold a significant share in the production of petrochemicals.
Europe is projected to witness considerable growth in the global petrochemical catalyst market owing to growing production at new crude oil production facilities or rigs.
