Bu Ali Sina Petrochem Plant Breaks Production Record

“The plant produced about 1 million tons of various products in the period, which is a record in the history of the company,” Alireza Qasemi was also quoted as saying by the Oil Ministry’s news agency Shana.

“Among the products, the output of heavy naphtha registered an increase in the six-month period. The company produced 262,000 tons of heavy naphtha in the first half of the year, which is 76% higher than the figure registered in the same period of last year,” he added.

Sold in local and international markets, heavy naphtha is used in the production of gasoline, kerosene and industrial solvents.

“The production of reformate also had a 20% rise and reached 403,000 tons in six months,” Qasemi said.

According to the official, the plant’s benzene output also increased, making the country self-reliant in its production. 

“Iran no longer needs to import benzene and can even export this valuable product now,” he said.

The chemical is used in the production of detergents and hygiene products, which are highly needed in Iran now, similar to other parts of the world.

As the coronavirus still spreads death and destruction across the globe, the need for detergents has increased by leaps and bounds.

One key recommendation to prevent the spread of the deadly virus is to strictly follow health and hygiene protocols, including washing hands regularly, which prevents people from spreading pathogens (microorganisms such as viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites that can cause illness).

The sanctions-battered country had difficulty importing benzene in the past, but with Bu Ali Sina Company on fast track, detergent manufacturers can better meet their raw material needs and increase output.

Besides its use in the production of detergents, some industries use benzene to make other chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also used to make some types of lubricants, rubbers, dyes, drugs and pesticides.

Similar to the above-mentioned items, light naphtha output of the company also experienced a rise in the past six months.

Light naphtha, a hydrocarbon liquid, is supplied to domestic and foreign markets as the feed for olefin units.

A subsidiary of the Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, Bu Ali Sina Petrochemical Company is built on an area of 36 hectares on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf.

Founded in 1998, the company processes gas condensate as feedstock and has so far produced an estimated 1.75 million tons of aromatic products per year. 

BSPC products are sold to Bandar Imam Khomeini, Shahid Tondgouyan, Amir Kabir, Pars and Karoun petrochemical companies. The Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe are the main export destinations.