Bu Ali Sina Petrochemical Company in Mahshahr, Khuzestan Province, seeks to increase annual output to 2 million tons of products this year (March 2022-23), managing director of the company said.
“The current production capacity of the complex is close to 1.7 million tons and with the help of development plans, the output will increase by about 20%,” the Oil Ministry’s news agency Shana also quoted Seyyed Mohamad Ahmadzadeh as saying.
Regarding the paraxylin production unit, construction of which is near completion, he said the unit will definitely become operational by the end of the current year (March 2023).
The paraxylene unit has been built by local specialists and its launch can increase the profit of the complex by more than $50 million annually.
The products of the new unit will be used as feedstock in Shahid Tondgouyan Petrochemical Plant to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Paraxylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon used as feedstock to produce industrial chemicals. It is produced by catalytic reformation of petroleum naphtha and used in the production of polymers and terephthalic acid for polyesters such as PET.
Referring to the rise in the output and sales of the complex in the first seven months of the current year, Ahmadzadeh said the company’s output increased by 5% and sales by 35% increase year-on-year.
The company’s output increased by 5% and sales by 35% during March 21-Oct. 22 year-on-year
“The company also experienced a 38% increase in exports and considering the rise in prices, its profit had a significant increase of 85% in the period as it earned a profit of over $100 million between March and October,” he added.
A subsidiary of the Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, Bu Ali Sina Petrochemical Company stretches over 36 hectares on the northwestern flank of the Persian Gulf.
Founded in 1998, the company processes gas condensate as feedstock to produce various aromatic products, including heavy naphtha, light naphtha and benzene.
Sold in local and international markets, heavy naphtha is used in the production of gasoline, kerosene and industrial solvents.
Light naphtha, a hydrocarbon liquid, is supplied to domestic and foreign markets as a feed for olefin units. A part of the light naphtha is also converted to LPG and C5 raffinate.
The rise in the plant’s benzene output has helped make the country self-reliant in its production. Iran no longer needs to import benzene and can even export the valuable product now.
The chemical is used in the production of detergents and hygiene products, which are needed worldwide.
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 chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. It is also used to make lubricants, rubber, dyes, drugs and pesticides.
BSPC’s products are sold to Imam Khomeini Port, Shahid Tondgouyan, Amir Kabir, Pars and Karoun petrochemical companies, and a portion is also exported to the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe.
Bu Ali Sina’s exports include major products such as benzene, reformate and diesel.
