Iran's National Petrochemical Company (NPC) has announced the imminent introduction of numerous new downstream petrochemical projects across the nation. The initiative, spearheaded by NPC CEO Hassan Abbaszadeh, aims to transform Iran's petrochemical landscape from a primary exporter of raw materials to a producer of high-value finished goods.

As reported by Mehr News, Abbaszadeh unveiled the plan during a ceremony on Saturday marking a leadership transition within the NPC's downstream industries development division. He highlighted the current disparity where Iran predominantly exports raw and semi-finished petrochemical products, which are then transformed into final products by importing nations, thereby capturing the majority of the added value.

"We must utilize all available capacities to complete the value chain," Abbaszadeh asserted. "By converting semi-finished products into final products, we can significantly increase added value both structurally and technically."

The forthcoming projects will be located considering regional planning, existing infrastructure, and the availability of essential resources such as feedstock and water.

A core component of the NPC's strategy is to reduce the reliance on raw material exports. Abbaszadeh called for enhanced collaboration between the downstream industries development management and other relevant departments to foster complementary industries, complete the value chain, and ultimately produce finished goods within Iran.

Furthermore, the NPC is committed to incorporating feedback from downstream petrochemical industries into its developmental planning. Abbaszadeh stressed the importance of addressing the production and supply needs of these industries to ensure seamless operations and sustained growth.

Addressing the complexities of mega-scale petrochemical plants operating under export-oriented strategies, Abbaszadeh acknowledged the challenges associated with adjusting product grades to meet the diverse needs of downstream industries. He emphasized the need for greater flexibility and responsiveness to market demands.

Recognizing the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration, Abbaszadeh underscored the necessity of strengthened cooperation between the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade and the NPC's downstream industries management.

"Collaboration with Industry Ministry must be expanded across all dimensions to resolve downstream industry issues through cooperation and interaction," Abbaszadeh stated. "Fortunately, the groundwork for this collaboration has been laid through recent meetings with ministry officials, and we are ready to enhance cooperation to grow and elevate the petrochemical industry."

Regarding the competitive demand for specific chemical and polymer products, Abbaszadeh acknowledged the existence of competition in certain segments but expressed confidence that both short-term and long-term measures could effectively address these challenges.

Reaffirming the NPC’s commitment to supporting all stakeholders in the petrochemical industry, Abbaszadeh clarified that the company acts as a representative of the government and aims to foster a harmonious environment for all players. "We support petrochemical complexes and downstream industries, and there is no conflict between any sectors," he emphasized.