Ali Pajouhan said methanol, polyethylene and polypropylene were among such important catalysts.

During a visit to the Iran Oil Show, he said that LTSE and polypropylene catalysts would be produced by the end of the current calendar year in March 2020.

"Most petrochemical industry catalysts have been indigenized or are being indigenized. However, due to the existing knowhow in the country it has to go through the process of commercialization," he said.

Pajouhan said some catalysts that are not used widely were not worth producing, citing catalysts with an annual use of 500 kilograms.

He said that more than eight companies had endorsed the technical savvy for producing polyethylene and polypropylene and converting methanol to propylene.