Tehran – Iran is progressing plans to develop its downstream petrochemicals industry, including operations serving the rubber industry, according to the head of the Iranian Petrochemical Investment Co., Fereydoun Fadayee.
The Islamic Republic, he said, was planning to build a “third” petrochemical hub in its Pakistan-bordering south east region of Chabahar, in addition to is Mahashahr and Assaluyeh petrochemical zones.
At an 18 May press conference in Tehran, Fadayee said that Iran was in talks with two leading companies, from Austria and Italy, as well as players from China and India, to attract investment in downstream petrochemical projects.
While he did not identify the companies, the official said projects would include the production of carbon black, various types of rubber and plastics, which are to be exported to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey in addition to some Persian Gulf states.
ERJ reported earlier in February that Tehran and Italy’s Maire Tecnimont signed a €1-billion memorandum of understanding which will see the Italian firm building a refinery and petrochemicals plant in the southern oil and gas rich Assaluyeh port.
Tecnimont will carry out the engineering design and construction of a rubber and ABS plant, as part of Iran’s bid to create the “biggest petrochemical park in the Middle East”.
Following the removal of sanctions against the country in January, Iran has signed multi-billion-euro oil and gas agreements with Italian oil giants Eni and Saipem and French Total.
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