On Saturday, during the "Plastic Pollution Crisis: Challenges and New Opportunities" seminar in Tehran, Hassan Abbaszadeh noted that the value of polymers produced in industrialized and developed countries is approximately $2,000 per ton.

He also stated that Iran’s petrochemical industry must move beyond the chemical sector and focus on creating more added value through polymer production. Currently, the total capacity for polymers in Iran is only around 10 million tons.

The official mentioned that significant development plans are underway for the petrochemical industry under Iran's 7th Development Plan. According to these plans, the industry's capacity will increase from the current 100 million tons to 130 million tons over the next five years.

Abbaszadeh also pointed out that plastics and polymers hold a special place in Iran's petrochemical industry. Some industry experts consider the polymer sector as the core of petrochemicals, with chemicals being just one part of it. He explained that the added value of the petrochemical industry comes from the polymer sector, and over the years, Iran has not given this area the attention it deserves. Currently, the total capacity for polymers in Iran is only about 10 million tons, making up just 10% of the entire petrochemical industry’s capacity.

Moving toward the production of valuable materials

Abbaszadeh noted that many chemicals, such as methanol, are produced in Iran at an annual capacity of 15 million tons. He emphasized that the industry should move beyond semi-raw materials and focus on producing more valuable polymer products.

He explained that while the value of chemicals like methanol is $300 per ton, the value of the common polymers produced in Iran is about $1,000 per ton, and those produced in industrialized countries reach around $2,000 per ton. Abbaszadeh stressed that Iran’s petrochemical industry must move beyond chemicals and focus on increasing added value.

He also pointed out that developing countries, such as Iran, are not responsible for creating the plastic pollution crisis. Rather, it is a result of the large-scale production of plastics and polymers by many developed countries in the past. He emphasized that everyone shares the responsibility for addressing this global challenge.

Sanctions hamper environmental commitments

Abbaszadeh discussed various environmental issues, including greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, and plastic pollution. He pointed out that countries like Iran, which are under international sanctions, have been deprived of access to technologies that could help create a better environment.

He referred to the tightening of global commitments after the INC Committee meeting in Geneva and noted that the formation of environmentally friendly standards is a positive development. Iran is committed to international agreements, but he emphasized that each treaty should be based on fairness, shared responsibility, and equity. The responsibilities of each country should align with its contribution to the crisis.

Global Plastic Treaty focused on technology transfer

Abbaszadeh underlined that the global plastics treaty should be centered on transferring technologies for recycling and waste management. Developed countries, having contributed most to the plastic pollution crisis, must bear the greatest responsibility and be committed to resolving this issue.

Investing in advanced recycling technologies

He further stressed the importance of removing trade and international restrictions so that Iran and similar countries can fully meet their environmental commitments.

Abbaszadeh highlighted the need for investment in modern recycling technologies and the importance of educating the public about the environmental challenges posed by plastic consumption. Local organizations, including municipalities, should build infrastructure for waste and plastic separation.

He also emphasized the critical role of technology in recycling, stating that chemical and mechanical recycling can help close the loop and should be prioritized.

Raising awareness to maintain market share

Abbaszadeh discussed the need for the development of advanced petrochemicals and technologies for polymer production. He stressed that polymer manufacturers must stay informed about international agreements in order to maintain their market share globally. The international affairs department of the National Petrochemical Company is responsible for monitoring and studying international challenges and keeping the petrochemical industry informed.

Finally, Abbaszadeh emphasized the importance of transitioning to a circular economy in the petrochemical industry to reuse resources. The goal of the seminar was to raise awareness about global trends and encourage commitment to the responsibilities associated with polymer production.