Armenia could make chloroprene rubber from Iranian gas

ERJ staff report (BC)

Yerevan, Armenia – The Armenian Union of Domestic Commodity Producers has proposed that the idle former Nairit chemical plant in Yerevan could use Iranian gas to resume production of chloroprene rubber, the Arka news agency reported.

Union chairman Vazgen Safaryan told a news conference that he had written to this effect to the Iranian ambassador to Armenia, and awaits an answer.

He said that part of the rubber produced could be shipped to Iran in return for the gas, and the rest could be sold to other countries.

Armenia and Iran have a gas pipeline commissioned in 2007. It is used to transport Iranian gas to Armenia where it is converted into electricity for export to Iran. In return for each cubic metre of gas Armenia exports 3 kWh of electricity, according to Arka. Under the agreement Iran is to supply 36 billion cubic metres of gas over 20 years. The agreement can be prolonged by another five years.

"According to rough estimates, Russia's annual demand for chloroprene rubber is about 20,000 tonnes. Armenian can produce about 15,000 tonnes of rubber annually and sell it to Russia, China, Kazakhstan and other countries," Safaryan is quoted as saying.

This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Full story from Arka