According to the Petrochemical Research and Technology Company (PRTC),
the locally designed SAZ-201 catalyst was used for the first time on an
industrial scale at Ilam Petrochemical’s heavy polyethylene unit, achieving
full production success.
The milestone represents “a significant stride toward reducing
dependence on imports, conserving foreign currency, and proving the industrial
viability of this core domestic technology,” the company said in a statement.
The SAZ-201 catalyst was developed by PRTC as part of its long-term
programme to localise key petrochemical technologies and strengthen Iran’s
research-based industrial capacity. The catalyst is designed for use in heavy
polyethylene units employing the Mitsui CX process.
Industrial-scale production using SAZ-201 began in September, with
Ilam Petrochemical successfully operating for nine consecutive days to produce F7000-grade
film polyethylene. The companies jointly accepted the operational risks to
advance the commercialisation of the homegrown catalyst.
PRTC said the SAZ-201 outperformed imported commercial catalysts in
activity, performance, and product quality, while requiring lower consumption
levels.
Iran’s annual domestic demand for this type of catalyst is estimated
at about 100 tonnes, rising to 160 tonnes as new polyethylene plants come
online. Localising production could save the country more than €30 million in
foreign currency each year, the statement said.
Executives from both companies hailed the development as a “national
achievement” and a foundation for further innovation in Iran’s petrochemical
sector. They said the success demonstrated the country’s capacity to advance
indigenous technologies and strengthen the sustainability of its industrial
base.