Rahbord Energy: Dr. Matin Didari, the CEO of Zagros Petrochemicals, said in an interview that last year the sales and operating income of Zagros were more than 25 thousand billion tomans. According to Didari, the amount registers an increase of 4.5 thousand billion tomans compared to the previous year, despite gas cuts and shortages. But according to Didari, production costs rose by 4 trillion tomans in 2023, which caused the operating profit and net profit to decrease even though the company’s gross profit had increased.
As to whether there is a plan to convert methanol to ammonia MTA in the methanol value chain projects at Zagros Petrochemical, Didari said Zagros Petrochemical is currently working on a project to convert methanol to synthetic ethanol (MTE), the license for which has also been procured. The basic engineering package of the project has advanced by more than 86%, and by the end of September this year, the basic engineering studies will be completed and the technical and engineering documents related to it will be fully received. He further said that negotiations have been carried out and basic approvals for financing of more than 265 million dollars have been obtained in order to start the project this year.
Regarding the expectations of Iran’s petrochemical industry from the elect- president, Didari said the main priority of the petrochemical industry is energy balance in the country, both in the fields of gas and electricity. Therefore, the future administration should pay serious attention to solving the energy imbalance in the country. According to Didari, the issue of gas feedstock has turned into a serious problem for the petrochemical industry, and without new investment, methanol and urea companies and other petrochemical companies will face problems. He noted that the shortage is increasing every year, as is the amount of available feedstock. He said special measures should be taken for this issue in order to see the energy imbalance resolved.
Regarding HATCO’s commitments in the construction of the ASU unit, he said the company has fulfilled all its commitments. He said the engineering and design documents have been received, the ordering of 18 late delivery items has been done, and the ordering of three main long lead items, the compressor, turboexpander, and cold box, has been implemented.
Source:Zagros Petrochemical Department of Public & International Affairs
