Petrochemical producers offered more than 945,000 tonnes of
products on credit during the six-month period, of which 507,704 tonnes were
sold, the National Petrochemical Company’s (NPC) downstream industries
development directorate said. Total petrochemical supplies exceeded 3 million
tonnes, it added.
The NPC identified limited access to liquidity and working
capital as major challenges facing downstream manufacturers, particularly in
purchasing raw materials.
In response, the company has prioritized expanding
credit-based sales through Iran’s commodity and energy exchanges, encouraging
petrochemical producers to use available financing mechanisms to facilitate
feedstock supplies and sustain production at downstream plants.
Developing downstream industries alongside upstream capacity
is a key element of Iran’s strategy to increase domestic value addition, reduce
exports of unprocessed materials and limit imports of petrochemical products,
the NPC said.
The expansion of downstream production is also expected to
support employment, increase foreign-exchange earnings and contribute to
economic growth.
The NPC said it would continue encouraging petrochemical
producers to expand credit-based sales amid operational challenges facing the
industry, with the aim of promoting balanced development and completing the
petrochemical value chain.