Petrochem output exceeds 30m tons

Tehran, Dec 14, IRNA - Iranian petrochemical companies produced over 30m tons of products during March 21-November 21, 2014. According to Ali Mohammad Bassaqzadeh, a director of the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), the figure accounts for 71 percent of the country’s nominal production capacity. “In case the National Iranian Gas Company supplies enough gas to petrochemical companies on time, their output will exceed 42m tons by mid-March 2015, accounting for 73 percent of the country’s nominal production capacity,” he said. Bassaqzadeh noted that the main obstacles to achieving the nominal production capacity are lack of feedstock and problems related to repairing equipment and petrochemical processes. The NPC director said given the growth in the output of South Pars Gas Field in Bushehr province in the current year, the country will face less difficulty supplying feedstock to petrochemical units compared to a year ago. “Currently, SP’s gas production has reached 75 mcm. The country’s gas depots contain less gas, which is indicative of an increase in exports,” he said. Bassaqzadeh said shortage of feedstock and natural gas, lower delivery of propylene to petchem units, lack of water, particularly in Mahshahr (Bushehr province), and a decline in the Agricultural Jihad’s production of fertilizer are the main challenges facing the petrochemical industry during March 21-November 21, 2014./end