Hassan Abbaszadeh, deputy petroleum minister and
managing director of the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), said some had
suggested postponing or canceling the event, but the industry decided to move
forward, highlighting the strategic importance of the exhibition for knowledge
exchange, investment, and international collaboration.
“Iran’s petrochemical sector continues to grow,
with nominal production capacity expected to exceed 100 million tons by the end
of 2025, and exports reaching around 35 million tons, valued at roughly $13.6
billion,” Abbaszadeh said. He noted that polymer products offer higher
value-added potential compared with basic chemicals.
The exhibition features over 700 domestic and 67
foreign companies, with direct representation from China and India and agents
from countries including South Korea, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Taiwan.
Approximately 200 business delegates from 18 countries, including Russia,
China, Iraq, and Tajikistan, are attending for B2B meetings with Iranian
companies.
The opening ceremony featured senior officials,
including NPC CEO Abbaszadeh, Mohammad Shariatmadari of the Persian Gulf
Petrochemical Industries Company, and diplomats such as Iran’s ambassador to
Russia, Kazem Jalali. Several MoUs were signed on the sidelines, including a
financial cooperation agreement between Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries
and Bank Tejarat.
Technical panels on the first day covered topics
such as value chain completion with BOPP film additives, investment evaluation
tools, the role of packaging in petrochemical exports, and emerging trends in
molding and manufacturing processes. Over 38 workshops are scheduled throughout
the exhibition, hosted by petrochemical companies and industry associations.
IranPlast, established in 2002 to promote
domestic plastic industries and international market access, is now considered
the largest and most prestigious plastics and petrochemical exhibition in West
Asia. The 19th edition will run until Thursday at Tehran’s Permanent
International Fairground.