Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 26
By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
Iranian polymer output is expected to reach 12 million tons by 2022, based on the country’s 6th five-year development plan.
The Islamic Republic’s annual polymer production capacity currently stands at 7.4 million tons.
The latest data released by the Iranian Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade reveals that over 3.836 million tons of various polymers were produced in the country during the first seven months of the current fiscal year(started March 20).
The figure indicates a rise by 14.5 percent year-on-year.
Polyethylene ranked first among the Iran’s polymer products. The country produced 2.399 million tons of polyethylene in the 7-month period, 12.4 percent more year-on-year.
Iranian petrochemical companies also produced 521,200 tons of in the polypropylene during the same span of time, 6.2 percent more year-on-year.
Polypropylene is the world's second-most widely produced synthetic plastic, after polyethylene.
It is a thermoplastic polymer used in packaging and labeling, textiles, carpets, stationery, plastic parts and reusable containers of various types, laboratory equipment, loudspeakers, automotive components, and polymer banknotes.
Over 336,200 tons of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) produced in the country in the 7-month period (19.7 percent more year-on-year), followed by Polyethylene terephthalate (309,000 tons, 27.6 percent increase) and polystyrene (175,300 tons, 50.2 percent increase).
PVC is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer, after polyethylene and polypropylene. In rigid form it is used in construction for pipe and in profile applications such as doors and windows. It is also used for bottles, other non-food packaging, and cards (such as bank or membership cards).
Polyethylene terephthalate is used for clothing, containers for liquids and foods, thermoforming for manufacturing, and in combination with glass fibre for engineering resins.
Polystyrene is used for protective packaging (such as packing peanuts and CD and DVD cases), containers, lids, bottles, trays, tumblers, disposable cutlery and in the making of models.