Baku, Azerbaijan, March 29
By Gazenfer Hamidov – Trend:
Iran’s overall polymer output amounted to 6.141 million tons during the first 11 months of the last fiscal year (ended March 20, 2018), 10.2 percent more year-on-year, the country’s industry ministry said.
The Islamic Republic’s annual polymer production capacity currently stands at 7.4 million tons.
Iranian polymer output is expected to reach 12 million tons by 2022, based on the country’s 6th five-year development plan.
Polyethylene ranks first among the Iran’s polymer products. The country produced 3.9 million tons of polyethylene in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year (March 20, 2017-Feb. 20), 8.7 percent more year-on-year.
Iranian petrochemical companies also produced 810,100 tons of polypropylene during the same span of time, 1.8 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.
Iranian petrochemical plants also produced about 519,100 tons of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) during the 11-month period from March 20, 2017 to Feb. 20, 2018, 12.9 percent more year-on-year.
About 287,700 tons of polystyrene produced in Iran in the 11-month period (41.2 percent more year-on-year) as well.
Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tons per year worldwide. It is used for producing disposable plastic cutlery and dinnerware, CD "jewel" cases, license plate frames, plastic model assembly kits, and many other objects where a rigid, economical plastic is needed.
Polycarbonate (PC) output registered the highest growth among Iran’s polymer products. The country produced 14,200 tons of PC in the period, 77.5 percent more year-on-year.
Polyethylene terephthalate (471,100 tons, 20.5 percent increase), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (51,000 tons, 2.6 percent increase), styrene-butadiene rubber (48,800 tons, 3.4 percent increase) and polybutadiene rubber (34,800 tons, 7.7 percent increase) were among Iran’s polymer products in the 11-month period as well.