Parvin Nabati, director general of the Industry Ministry’s
Chemical and Polymer Industries Office, said a significant portion of the
petrochemical capacity lost following attacks had returned to operation by
October.
The three institutions effectively formed a joint
operational command to manage the emergency, Nabati told NIPNA, the
petrochemical industry news service. The ministry oversaw demand management and
allocation quotas for downstream industries, petrochemical producers managed
feedstock supplies and market offerings, and the exchange provided a
transparent platform for transactions.
Without this coordination, Iran would have struggled to
navigate the crisis and avoid widespread interruptions in downstream
production, she said.
Import measures ease feedstock shortages
Nabati said imports had become an essential complement to
domestic supplies as production declined. Under an April 2026 resolution by
Iran’s Market Regulation Headquarters, registration applications for imports
under designated tariff codes were exempted from foreign-exchange allocation
reviews and currency-optimisation permits.
Imports of three polymers facing market shortages —
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene
(PP) — were also authorised, she said.
Authorities further permitted imports of petrochemical and
polymer products through kolbari and malvani trade channels,
which facilitate cross-border and maritime trade in designated areas. Importers
were also allowed to use all foreign-exchange sources to procure raw materials
under the relevant tariff codes.
The measures were intended to accelerate imports and keep
downstream supply chains operating with minimal disruption, Nabati said.
Industry associations urged to monitor markets
Nabati called for a greater role for industrial associations
in tracking production and consumption, identifying supply-demand imbalances
early and submitting data-based recommendations on export channels.
She said these organisations could help policymakers make
better-informed decisions while protecting the interests of genuine
manufacturers.
The official praised companies that maintained production
and employment despite difficult conditions, adding that the ministry would
continue working within its authority to address logistical obstacles and
manufacturers’ needs.
Nabati expressed hope that continued reconstruction and the
recovery of petrochemical capacity would bring a substantial portion of lost
output back online by the end of the year, improving conditions for Iran’s
polymer industry.