Speaking Sunday at the opening of the Petrofan 1404 conference, Aminnejad emphasized that in today’s era, innovation and technology must be the main strategy and the core of industrial decision-making. He noted that Iran’s access to global technology centers has been limited by international sanctions, highlighting the need to focus more than ever on developing domestic technologies.

“Conferences like today’s are no longer symbolic; they have become strategic and can help address some of the industry’s technological challenges while maintaining Iran’s role in international markets,” he said.

The Need to Upgrade Aging Units

Aminnejad pointed to the 60-year history of Iran’s petrochemical industry, including plants such as Bandar Imam and Razi, saying that continuing to operate aging facilities without technological upgrades will take them out of global competition and even profitability.

He cited high energy consumption in these units as an example of existing challenges and warned that without implementing technological solutions domestically, the Persian Gulf Holding and the country’s petrochemical industry will struggle to secure a prosperous future.

Highlighting notable progress in domestic technology, particularly in catalysts, Aminnejad said Iran has localized 85 of the 89 types of catalysts used worldwide. The global catalyst market is valued at $47 billion, with Iran’s share at approximately $285 million. He said the country has the potential to shift from being a local supplier to an international exporter.

Catalyst Exports Show Industry-Tech Collaboration

Aminnejad cited Lorestan Petrochemical’s experience in exporting catalysts as proof of successful collaboration between industry and technology developers, rather than one-sided relationships.

He noted that this year’s Petrofan used the capacity of Iran’s Vice Presidency for Science and Technology to evaluate knowledge-based companies according to international standards. Aminnejad added that a “Technological Innovation Award” was established to recognize and implement effective new processes, products, and management methods across other companies.

Creating an innovation ecosystem within Persian Gulf Holding is a key step in connecting industry, universities, and knowledge-based companies, Aminnejad said. He stressed that the approach has moved beyond rhetoric into real collaboration among managers, experts, and technology specialists, and expressed hope that practical results from these interactions will lead to contracts at the Kish Petrochem Exhibition.

The Petrofan 1404 conference, organized by Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, began Dec. 7 at the Petroleum Industry Research Institute and will conclude Dec. 9.