The construction of Ibn Sina Petrochemical Company in Andimeshk, Khuzestan Province, which was started recently, could be completed in three years if the required budget is allocated on time, the managing director of the company said.
“The project seeks to produce ethylene oxide and provide feed for the downstream units of ethoxylate, glycol ether and ethanolamine,” Rahim Mohammadi-Mehr was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news service Shana.
The ethylene oxide unit will have a production capacity of 300,000 tons per year and is aimed at completing the country's ethylene value chain.
A subsidiary of the Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, the plant is estimated to cost $300 million, he added.
Ethylene oxide is a flammable colorless gas with a sweet odor. It is used primarily to produce other chemicals, including antifreeze, solvents and detergents, polyester and plastic bottles. In smaller amounts, ethylene oxide is used as a pesticide and a sterilizing agent.
Ethoxylates are produced by the vapor or liquid phase ethoxylation of the free hydroxyl group of the alkyl phenol in the presence of a catalyst. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction in which ethylene oxide is added to a substrate.
Ethoxylates play an important role in personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoos, shower gel, hair conditioners and toothpastes. The property of providing cleaning, wetting and dispersing, emulsifying, foaming and anti-foaming effects are used in many practical applications and products.
Glycol ethers have many uses, such as solvents and an ingredient in cleaning compounds, liquid soaps and cosmetics.
Ethanolamine is a colorless, thick liquid or solid, with a mild ammonia-like odor. It is used in making soap and detergents, ink, dyes and rubber.
Rise in Ethylene Output
The construction of the Ibn Sina Petrochemical Company has been made possible after the rise in production capacity of ethylene in Asalouyeh, a part of which is transferred via West Ethylene Pipeline to Andimshek.
Ethylene is a colorless gas produced at the industrial level using the steam-cracking process of ethane and naphtha. It is flammable in nature and commonly used as feedstock by chemical manufacturers to produce polyethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene dichloride and ethylene benzene.
The gas is also used for the ripening of fruits on a bulk level. Additionally, in petrochemical industries, ethylene is used as a refrigerant and a fuel gas in welding and cutting processes.
The global ethylene market reached approximately 150 million tons in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.09% and reach about 260 million until 2035.
The primary driver of the global ethylene market is the synthesis of polyethylene. In 2021, approximately 54% of global ethylene were utilized by the polyethylene industry. Various industries employ polyethylene due to its flexibility, durability, lightweight nature and resistance to moisture.
West Ethylene Pipeline is 1,700 kilometers long and runs from the port city of Asalouyeh off the Persian Gulf in the south to the northwest.
It supplies ethylene as feedstock to 12 petrochemical factories along the way, including in Mahabad, Mahshahr, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Kurdestan and Miandoab.
The pipeline’s annual capacity is 3.5 million tons, 2.5 million tons of which come from the major South Pars Gas Field and the rest from Gachsaran field in Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad Province.
