The managing director of the National Petrochemical Company said 60% of the industry's capacity lost in the third imposed war has returned to production.
Omid Shakeri, speaking to reporters Monday on the sidelines of a signing ceremony for memorandums implementing the "Energy Pulse" campaign, said the war damage hit two areas: utilities and certain specific processes. Rebuilding is under way in both, and utilities reconstruction is being pursued continuously. In Asaluyeh and Mahshahr, the industry's two main hubs, recovery of capacity is proceeding well, and the company aims to bring a significant share of the remaining lost capacity back by the end of the year. About 60% has been recovered so far, and he hopes conditions will improve further by year-end.
Winter feedstock limits
Shakeri said the industry will probably face gas restrictions in winter due to the energy imbalance. This happens every year, but enemy damage to the refining sector has made this year harder. Each winter, rising household gas use has forced unwanted restrictions on some industries, and petrochemicals are not exempt. This year, about 230 million cubic meters of the gas industry's refining capacity was lost. Thanks to efforts by colleagues at the Oil Ministry, the National Iranian Gas Company and the National Iranian Oil Company, part of that capacity has returned, but shortfalls remain. He said the company is trying to minimize the war's effects on petrochemical complexes, but conditions will be tougher this year. Even so, in terms of recovered capacity and readiness to produce, the industry is in a suitable position.
Exports and foreign currency
Shakeri said petrochemicals is essentially a product-selling industry: it exports its products and repatriates the foreign currency, with the whole process supervised by the Central Bank, so there is no problem on that front. He acknowledged that war and blockade conditions have created difficulties for petrochemical exports. Measures taken across various bodies aim to keep exports steady and ensure export earnings return, so the country's main foreign-currency needs can be met.
Call to join the energy-saving campaign
Shakeri invited the public and all consuming sectors to support the "Energy Pulse" campaign, a national effort to cut energy use, to help supply more energy and ease the feedstock challenge facing petrochemical complexes. He stressed that cooperation from all consumers could free up more energy for industry and reduce petrochemical feedstock problems.