Speaking during the fifth session of the Supreme
Council for the Social Responsibility of the Petrochemical Industry, Engineer Morteza
Shahmirzai, the Deputy Minister of Petroleum and CEO of the National
Petrochemical Company (NPC), extended congratulations for the Fajr Decade,
commemorating the glorious days of the Islamic Revolution. He emphasized that
the development and strengthening of infrastructures in petrochemical regions
would fortify the relationship between the industry and surrounding
communities.
Despite challenges posed by opposition forces and
adversaries of the Islamic Revolution, Shahmirzai highlighted the impressive
progress of the petrochemical industry since the triumphant Islamic Revolution,
even amidst the pressures of war and unjust sanctions. He proudly noted that
the capacity of the petrochemical industry had grown from about 1.5 million
tons in 1979 to an impressive 95 million tons today, representing a 60-fold
increase in the country's petrochemical sector.
The NPC CEO asserted that the current era marks a
shift towards reliance on internal capabilities, as the design, execution,
commissioning, launch, and maintenance of complexes and petrochemical projects
are now carried out using Iranian suppliers and manufacturers, freeing the
country from dependency on foreign sources.
Discussing the indigenization of catalysts
required by the petrochemical industry, Shahmirzai revealed that 95% of the
necessary catalysts have been localized through the efforts of researchers and
experts from the Petrochemical Research and Technology Company and
collaborating entities. In terms of weight, this figure has reached 98%.
Shahmirzai praised the successful diplomacy of
the petrochemical industry in the 13th government, highlighting the
favorable opportunities for expanding collaborations with neighboring countries
and allies. He stressed that relationships with these nations are currently
expanding in various dimensions.
Regarding the shutdown of flares in the
petrochemical industry, Shahmirzai declared it as one of the most important
strategies of the NPC. He expressed optimism that, in less than three years,
all flares in the industry will be extinguished with the collaboration of
petrochemical holdings. This move aligns with environmental preservation goals,
reduces crude sales, and contributes to the supply of necessary feedstock for
petrochemical units.
The Deputy Minister of Petroleum concluded by
emphasizing the importance of completing the value chain in the petrochemical
industry to create more added value. He urged petrochemical companies to move
towards producing final products, open doors for the youth, and inspire the new
generation with the achievements of the petrochemical industry as a leading
sector.