The production capacity of various petrochemicals in the
year 1357 (1979) roughly 3 million tons/year, but at the end of the current
calendar year, which began on March 21, up to 65.8 million tons of petrochemicals
are expected to be produced in Iran.
Iran's petrochemical industry, despite undergoing various
challenges in its development, is still accelerating its development, and given
the available infrastructures in the country, this industry can become one of
the most lucrative industries in Iran.
In order to achieve the industry’s goals, new investments
and completion of existing projects are needed so that sale of crude oil and
gas could be prevented and valued-added items be exported.
Prior to the Islamic Revolution, only 6 petrochemical facilities
operated in Iran which have reached 54 active ones currently.
Before 1979, only 17 petrochemical products could be
supplied domestically, but the number has reached 121 items currently.
Furthermore, export of petrochemicals has increased from
0.6 million tons/year in 1979 to over 21.67 mt/y in 2018.