Speaking at the third Job, Industry and Construction Expo held at Iran
University of Science and Technology, NPC CEO Hassan Abbaszadeh highlighted the
vital role of academic collaboration in addressing industrial challenges
through cutting-edge knowledge and innovation.
“With more than six decades of experience, particularly after the
Islamic Revolution, Iran’s petrochemical industry has seen significant
investment. New projects coming online will soon push production capacity past
100 million tonnes per year,” Abbaszadeh said.
He emphasized the inefficiency of energy consumption in Iran, noting
that while the country possesses some of the world’s largest gas reserves and
processes over 1 billion cubic meters of gas daily, nearly 48% is consumed
domestically and 26% in power plants. This imbalance, he argued, contributes to
persistent energy shortfalls.
Abbaszadeh urged comprehensive national efforts to resolve these
disparities, including leveraging the expertise of universities. “Universities
can play a key role in optimizing energy and water use in petrochemicals,” he
stated.
He cited examples of civil engineering excellence in the industry,
including the construction of three deep-sea tunnels in the Makran
region—extending up to 900 meters under the sea—and praised the successful
deployment of reinforced concrete pumping systems in these projects.
Abbaszadeh encouraged petrochemical firms to support thesis projects
focused on water and energy optimization and suggested collaboration in
unconventional water sourcing methods. These include wastewater recycling, deep
aquifer extraction, desalination, and transferring water from northern and
southern bodies, as well as deploying hybrid cooling tower systems to cut
industrial water consumption by at least 30%.
“Our path to sustainable development depends on knowledge-based
growth,” he concluded. “Only through continuous cooperation between
universities and industry can we achieve long-term resilience and innovation in
the petrochemical sector.”