Iran's first international annual plastics and rubber trade show (Iran Plast 2002) opened on Tuesday 10 December 2002 and ran through Saturday. The five-day event, held at Tehran International Fair Ground, drew 240 domestic and 70 foreign exhibitors. The next year event, which is expected to attract more exhibitors, will be held in December 2003.



Speaking at the opening ceremony of Iran Plast 2002, the Iranian First Vice President HE Dr. Aref told participants that developing petrochemical industry is of paramount importance to Iran's economy. Excerpts:
Among our industries, petrochemical sector is enjoying favorable advantages in terms of state-of-the-art technology, skilled and qualified manpower as well as efficient management. For these reasons, the development programs in this industry are of paramount importance to us. Iran's petrochemical sector together with its downstream industries, is an obvious choice for generating value added from raw material and developing into a major component of our exports. Natural gas and oil by-products are major petrochemical feedstocks which are abundantly available in our country constituting the cornerstones of the development of the Iranian petrochemical sector.
It is expected that with the completion of the underway projects, Iran's petrochemical output capacity grows substantially at the end of the Third Plan. Availability of advantages such as skilled workforce and advanced technologies enable us to emerge as a powerful competitor in the international petrochemical markets.
Debate over structural reforms was one of the major approaches and objectives of the Third Development Plan. Our most important target is to make the structure of the government and its related organizations more efficient. In this process, Petroleum Ministry and its affiliates, including the National Petrochemical Company have indisputable capabilities. Transferring and distributing responsibilities and activities to the private sector and, at the same time, promoting the sector to invest in petrochemical industry and its up and downstream are among our important approaches.
The government should also facilitate things so that businesses, and the private sector in general, can proceed faster and more smoothly. Given this approach, and taking into account the facts that petrochemical industry compared to other sectors in our country enjoys a faster pace of growth, and that demand for petrochemical products worldwide is on the rise, investment in this industry is lucrative.
The Third Five-Year Development Plan has paid special attention to the issue of investment. In this respect, a law regarding the promotion and attraction of foreign investment has recently been endorsed. In line with this policy, the fourth-Five Year Development Plan is similarly expected to pay special attention to this issue. Locally available capabilities in areas such as engineering, erection and construction in various fields including petrochemicals point to the creativity of Iranian skilled workforce.
Skilled workforce is also a major factor in increasing engineering and technical services and at the same time in expansion of non-oil exports. These two invaluable assets, skilled workforce and underground resources plus the government's attention to utilize the resources effectively, improve the prospect for foreign investment even further.





Iranian Petroleum Minister, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh told the opening ceremony of Iran Plast Exhibition that the ministry was resolve to pave the grounds for the petrochemical industry to grow spelling the growth of value added, promotion of know-how and increase of national income and non-oil exports.
He said NPC is currently implementing twenty large and medium scale projects in different parts of Iran with an investment of some $10bn adding that NPC welcomed the participation of foreign investors and local private sector in its projects. Elsewhere, Zanganeh voiced his ministry's full support and assistance for the development of downstream petrochemical industries. He also said that the Iranian cabinet ministers endorsed a plan to study the transfer of ethane or ethylene from Iran's southern region to northern parts providing the required feedstock for private sector's investment in olefinic facilities in these parts.





During Iran Plast 2002 opening ceremonies, NPC President said Iran would up its annual polymer capacity from 970,000 tonnes/year to 5.3 million tonnes/year by 2005. He said by then NPC would produce 2.9mn tonnes/year of polyethylene, 990,000 tonnes/year of polypropylene, 930,000 tonnes/year of polyesters, 225,000 tonnes/year of PVC, 70,000 tonnes/year of ABS, 25,000 tonnes/year of polycarbonate, 10,000 tonnes/year of epoxy resins and 23,000 tonnes/year of crystal melamine. In addition to these capacities, an olefin plant in Ilam province and a PVC facility with a combined capacity of 600,000 tonnes/year of polymer output are currently at bidding stage.






A survey conducted during Iran Plast 2002 Exhibition indicated that attendees sought information on how polymers and processing operations can be improved with new equipment and technology.
More than 39% of those questioned said they went to the show to gain more familiarity with the processing field. Almost 20% stated they wanted more information about marketing plastic products, while 13% were interested in purchasing what they saw at the show.
An overwhelming number of respondents, about 86% of them, would like the plastics exhibition to be convened annually. Of those surveyed, 51% have bachelor's degrees and 27% high school diplomas. More than 65% said their education was directly related to plastics and rubber fields.

The start of the beginning

A survey conducted during the 1st Iran Plast Exhibition found that an overwhelming number of repondents,about 86% of them,chose Iran Plast Exhibition to be held annually.On the last day of the Exhibition,NPC announced that it would hold the event once every year.

An industry of paramount importance

With the completion of its underway projects, petrochemical output capacity grows substantially by 2005 evolving as a major component of Iran's exports.
M.R.Nematzadeh personally depicts the industry's prospect for dignitaries at the Iran Plast 2002 including First Vice- President Dr.Aref,Petroleum Minister,Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Members of Parliament(Majlis).

Venue for exchanging ideas and expanding cooperation

The Exhibition hosts guests and participants from the four corners of the world .Many high -ranking participants hold talks with NPC officials to seek ways of boosting bilateral ties and cooperation.

Eagerness to follow NPC developments

Media reporters interview NPC President M.R.Nematzadeh.
As public awareness grows over petrochemical industry and its role in the country's economy,reporters provide feed to satiate the curiosity of the general public.

Teamwork excellence

NPC personnel involved in organizing Iran Plast 2002 pose for a picture as the event draws to its close .They work hard for the success of the event and were rewarded by its excellence.