Mohammad Motaqi, NPC’s director of downstream industries development, said increased product offerings have reduced competition on the Iran Mercantile Exchange and the Iran Energy Exchange, while prices are gradually returning to more reasonable levels.

“Some of the demand that went unmet in recent weeks is now being supplied, and conditions are steadily returning to normal for downstream industries,” he said.

Petrochemical Supply Continues to Increase

Motaqi said that although supply levels have not yet returned to the balance seen last year, conditions have improved significantly compared with the previous month.

He noted that supply volumes in the third week of Khordad are expected to increase from the previous week and that the upward trend will continue as petrochemical plants complete reconstruction and rehabilitation work and return to operation.

On polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production, Motaqi said supply has improved compared with previous weeks and is expected to rise further within the next one to two weeks. He added that two key grades — S60, used in medical and healthcare applications, and S65, used in pipes, fittings and other industrial products — are currently being produced and supplied simultaneously.

Regarding polyethylene products, he said domestic demand can now be met at levels close to those of last year.

Higher PET Production Supports Textile Sector

Motaqi said production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has also increased. While only bottle-grade PET had been produced previously, textile-grade production resumed last week.

He added that expanding production capacity at Bouali Petrochemical Company will support higher output of textile industry feedstocks at Tondgooyan Petrochemical Company, helping meet growing demand from the sector.

Motaqi said adjustments to industrial quotas by the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, combined with higher petrochemical supply volumes, have eased restrictions on raw material availability and helped normalize market conditions.

Base Prices Remain Frozen

According to Motaqi, a directive by higher authorities to stabilize petrochemical base prices remains in effect beyond its original June 2026 expiration date.

As a result, the base prices of petrochemical products traded on the commodity and energy exchanges continue to be calculated using global price benchmarks from before the outbreak of the third imposed war, in accordance with directives issued by the Supreme National Security Council.

He emphasized that no price increases linked to higher global petrochemical prices have been applied. Only changes in exchange rates are reflected in pricing calculations.

The policy applies both to petrochemical feedstock pricing and to products sold through the exchanges, he said.

No Increase in Detergent Feedstock Prices

Motaqi said NPC maintains close coordination with various departments of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, as well as consumer protection and trade authorities, to manage raw material supply and regulate the petrochemical market.

Addressing recent public concern over detergent price increases, he said the petrochemical industry supplies linear alkylbenzene (LAB), a key detergent feedstock, and that no price increase has been implemented for the product.

“LAB prices remain based on rates that were in place before March 2026, prior to the start of the third imposed war,” he said.

Motaqi added that all LAB transactions on the commodity exchange have been completed without competitive bidding, allowing buyers to purchase the product at the official base price.

While transportation and logistics challenges may have occurred at certain times, he said the petrochemical industry has fully supplied detergent manufacturers with the raw materials they need and that no price increase has been imposed on those materials.