TEHRAN -- Two knowledge-based catalyst production projects – polypropylene and high-density polyethylene catalysts – have become operational using homegrown knowhow.
Two knowledge-based catalyst production projects – polypropylene and high-density polyethylene catalysts – have become operational using homegrown knowhow.
The projects came online in a remotely participated-in ceremony by President Hassan Rouhani. These production units have been built by researchers at the Shazand branch of Petrochemical Research and Technology Company (PRTC) in Markazi Province. The equipment is totally domestically-manufactured.
Iran’s petrochemical industry would no longer have to import these categories of catalysts. The $7 million PP catalyst production unit has an annual capacity of 12 tonnes a year, meeting 30% of the petrochemical industry’s needs. The HDPE catalyst has been launched with the CX technology and an investment of $3 million. With an annual production capacity of 20 tonnes, it would supply 25% of Iran’s petrochemical needs.
Catalysts are used as the heart of chemical processing units. The catalysts used in the petrochemical sector are valued at $270 million a year. Of a total 40 major catalysts used in the petrochemical industry, 19 have hitherto been manufactured domestically while 9 more would be manufactured by next March.