Ghodratollah Nasiri, Director of Research, Technology and Domestic
Manufacturing at the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), told state media
that the future of the sector depends on “smart support for knowledge-based
firms, the development of local technologies, and the creation of a sustainable
industrial chain.”
“When we speak with small, knowledge-based enterprises, their main challenge
is access to raw materials,” Nasiri said. “A supportive approach toward smaller
firms must become institutionalised if we want to ensure steady growth across
the petrochemical value chain.”
He said NPC has already designed a roadmap for developing downstream
industries, which should now enter the implementation stage. “According to the
Seventh Development Plan, expanding downstream activities is one of our core
responsibilities, and this cannot be achieved without technological advancement
and localisation,” he said.
Nasiri added that fostering homegrown innovation could help Iranian
companies expand their footprint in regional markets. “If we encourage young
innovators and start-ups, provide them with facilities, and leverage mechanisms
such as the Innovation and Prosperity Fund, we can quickly strengthen our
regional market presence. This approach also creates significant employment
opportunities,” he said.
Outlining NPC’s broader mandate, Nasiri said its mission is focused on
three priorities: ensuring the presence of Iranian companies in international
markets, selecting and adapting appropriate technologies to sustain large
petrochemical firms globally, and generating jobs for young professionals.
“To achieve these goals, closer cooperation among government, industry
and innovation-support funds is essential,” he said.
Nasiri emphasised that the petrochemical industry today goes far
beyond raw production. “Competitiveness in global markets requires
technological innovation, product diversification and stronger downstream
engagement — areas where knowledge-based firms can play a decisive role. Our
duty is to create the conditions for their voices to be heard,” he said.