NPC's production reached over 2.9m tons in the third quarter of the current Iranian year (September 22-December 20, 2000) up 7% on the same period last year. The corporate's nine months production to December 20 was over 8.7m tons showing 6%increase on the corresponding period last year. At the same time, exports earnings for the third quarter rose to over $278m showing a sharp gain of 122% over the last year's third quarter. The nine months export income was $0.61bn up by %55 on last year.
NPC also enjoyed impressive safety and health records in the nine months to December 20, 2000. During this period, the registered frequency and severity rates were 0.9 and 11.4 respectively down by 18% and 13% over the rates in the corresponding period last year.
The nine months' Manhours Without Accident (MWA) reached over 27.1 million registering some 275% increase over the last year's result. |
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Methanol industry eyes fuel cell technology
With the introduction of a next-generation methanol-powered fuel cell vehicle called NECAR 5 by DaimlerChrysler, a major step has been taken towards manufacturing such cars. The development confirms that methanol is a desirable way to deliver hydrogen to a fuel cell. Analysts believe that methanol paves the way to the environmentally friendly technology of the future.
NPC, a methanol producer keeps a watchful eye on the developments of methanol-powered fuel cell vehicle. Currently, NPC produces some 750 000-t/y of methanol but the production will increase to around 3.5m tonnes by 2005 when the NPC's two world-scale methanol projects become operational.
NPC and VSC sign joint investment MOU for hotel development at PETZONE
NPC and Kuwait's Venture Service Consultant (VSC) signed a memorandum of understanding for a joint investment to build a 4-star 125-room hotel at Bandar Imam Petrochemical Special Economic Zone (PETZONE). NPC and VSC are expected to sign a shareholders' agreement in late January '01 subsequent to which a joint venture company will be formed in the following month. NPC will have a 40% stake in the joint venture while the VSC will retain the remaining 60% stake. The two sides have agreed that construction of the hotel should be completed in 24 months.
PETZONE signs conceptual consultancy contract with Japan's TEC
Petrochemical Special Economic Zone Organization (PETZONE) and Japan's TOYO Engineering Corporation (TEC) signed a conceptual consultancy contract to study and review the comprehensive master plan of the PETZONE in order to facilitate coordinated implementation of the upstream petrochemical projects.
TEC will review the following issues:
Overall material balance, battery
limit and interfacing plan
Waste and effluents
Port/tankage facility, transportation and storing
Infrastructure, site emergency plan and overall safety and security plan
Environmental Impact Assessment and other environmental issues
Based on the contract, TEC will evaluate the Zone's conceptual designs and basic master plan making necessary recommendations to the authorities with the aim of attaining optimal coordination among the PETZONE's strategic projects.
