Abbaszadeh said the ruling, endorsed by all three
branches of government, was the result of months of consensus-building and
regulatory oversight by NPC, and is expected to reinforce the stability of the
strategic sector, which plays a key role in Iran’s economy.
“The petrochemical industry today is not just a
source of revenue or exports; it is a driver of economic development through
the growth of upstream and downstream value chains and companies supplying
equipment, goods, and engineering services,” Abbaszadeh said at a ceremony
marking the Sha’baniyah days and the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
He highlighted the development of domestic
capabilities in key cities such as Tabriz, Shiraz, and Arak, noting that local
companies now produce advanced equipment essential for petrochemical
operations—a stark contrast to the pre-revolution era.
Self-sufficiency in engineering and industrial
services
Abbaszadeh stressed that Iranian firms have
achieved significant independence in design, engineering, and consulting
services. He noted that since the 1990s, strategic policies required Iranian
participation alongside foreign contractors in major projects, enabling
domestic companies to gain expertise to undertake both domestic and
international engineering projects.
Advances in technical knowledge and catalysts
The CEO pointed to substantial progress in
technical knowledge, particularly in catalyst production, where Iranian
knowledge-based companies have reached a level that allows some exports,
despite restrictions on technology transfer from advanced countries.
He added that domestic capabilities now extend
across operations, maintenance, and technical services, allowing Iran to
provide engineering and technical services abroad.
Crisis management and operational resilience
Abbaszadeh highlighted that the petrochemical
sector, now producing roughly 100 million tons annually, maintained stable
production and exports even amid recent military threats. He noted that new
operational guidelines tailored to emergency conditions have strengthened the
industry’s crisis readiness.
Sovereign ruling resolves pricing disputes
One major achievement, Abbaszadeh said, was the
resolution of disputes among petrochemical companies over pricing directives,
which had previously led to administrative lawsuits and halted trading of some
firms’ shares. By coordinating with government bodies and securing agreement
across the sector, NPC facilitated a sovereign ruling ratified by the heads of
all three branches.
“This is a demonstration of NPC’s role as a
regulatory and developmental authority, ensuring governance, arbitration, and
stable frameworks rather than functioning as a production entity,” Abbaszadeh
said.
Expansion and investment outlook
The deputy oil minister described the current
year as a “golden year” for petrochemical development, with approximately seven
million tons of new capacity expected to come online. He said major
projects—including power plants, storage units, and phases of petrochemical
complexes in Bushehr, Damavand, and Asalouyeh—will be commissioned throughout
the year.
The ruling and ongoing investments, officials
say, are designed to solidify the sector’s sustainability while boosting
domestic industrial capacity and supporting the broader national economy.