Speaking on Sunday at the Responsible Production in the Plastic
Value Chain conference, Abbaszadeh said the plastics industry faces a “dual
challenge” — balancing environmental protection and sustainable development
with the often costly or technically difficult implementation of international
regulations for developing nations.
He stressed that Iran must defend its national interests in
international forums while demonstrating its commitment to environmental
responsibility. “Developed countries that have historically contributed most to
global plastic pollution should bear a larger share of responsibility,” he
said, adding that developing countries such as Iran require investment,
technology transfer, and adaptation opportunities to reduce pollution
effectively.
Abbaszadeh called the reduction of plastic pollution in Iran not only
an international commitment but also “a national and moral duty.” “As Iranians
and Muslims, we are obliged to preserve the environment for future
generations,” he said.
Outlining the steps toward achieving responsible production, he said
the first step is public awareness — starting with families and schools
to educate children on the consequences of improper plastic use. “Disposable
plastics may seem convenient, but this convenience comes with serious
environmental costs,” he noted.
The second step, he said, is to improve society’s attitude
toward recycling. “Recycled materials are often viewed negatively, but if they
meet safety and quality standards, they are not only acceptable but valuable,”
he said. “For example, if just five percent of a chair’s plastic is made from
recycled materials, it’s a positive achievement worth recognition.”
The third step involves strengthening municipal infrastructure
for waste separation at the source. “Municipalities play a vital role in
ensuring that citizens’ efforts in separating waste at home are not undone
later in the collection process,” Abbaszadeh said. “A coherent waste management
chain is essential to prevent recontamination.”
He also called for smart product design to promote reusability
and recyclability, noting that engineering firms and industry associations can
drive this shift. “Designing products for reuse and recycling is essential, and
learning from leading international examples can help upgrade domestic
production,” he said.
Abbaszadeh emphasized that the petrochemical industry must lead
efforts to reduce plastic pollution. “Our policies, technologies, and
partnerships must all align with the principle of responsible production
throughout the plastic value chain,” he stated.
He also pointed to the need to replace hazardous chemical compounds in
plastic production with safer alternatives. “Many of these substances affect
human health and the environment during production or use. Reducing and substituting
them is among our top priorities,” he said.
Highlighting the sector’s economic importance, Abbaszadeh said Iran’s
petrochemical industry — largely based on polymer production — represents a
major share of the national economy. “A large portion of current output is
methanol, but methanol and other semi-finished products should be converted
downstream into higher-value products like plastics,” he explained.
He stressed that Iran’s petrochemical development must move away from
raw material exports and focus on producing finished products. “Modern
technologies now allow methanol-to-polypropylene and methanol-to-polyethylene
conversion, and these are no longer monopolized. With domestic know-how and
biotechnology, we are already progressing in this direction,” Abbaszadeh said.
Using semi-finished feedstock to produce polymers, he added, not only
increases value-added but also strengthens Iran’s role in the global
petrochemical value chain — provided environmental standards and international
obligations are met.
Following the recent Geneva Conference on Plastic Pollution,
Abbaszadeh said, the message to industry leaders was clear: future export
markets depend on compliance with environmental standards. “Countries such
as China, one of Iran’s key polymer export destinations, will soon join the
global plastics treaty, and adherence to safety and environmental norms will
become essential for maintaining market access,” he warned.
He concluded that NPC is fully committed to reducing plastic pollution
and realizing the vision of responsible production. “We will work
alongside investors and companies, guiding them to integrate environmental
standards into their projects. Only then can we achieve sustainable development
and secure Iran’s long-term position in the global petrochemical industry,”
Abbaszadeh said.