TEHRAN – Supported by the Organization for Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, Iranian knowledge-based firms will participate in the 38th International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries (ChinaPlas) scheduled to be held from April 21 to 24, 2026, in Hongqiao, Shanghai, China.

ChinaPlas is the world’s leading plastics and rubber trade fair, and also widely recognized by the industry as one of the most influential exhibitions in the world.

The event is expected to attract industry professionals globally, with attendees from 150 countries and regions. It will provide a great opportunity to feature the latest technologies, machinery and equipment, raw materials, and innovative solutions in the plastic industry.

Focusing on themes such as green manufacturing, circular economy, and digital transformation, the key exhibition zones include Injection Molding and Smart Manufacturing Solutions, Recycled Plastics and Recycling Tech Zones, Composite and High-Performance Materials Zone, and 3D Technologies, Bioplastics, and Additives.

Boosting sci-tech ties

In August 2025, the head of the Organization for the Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, Hossein Roozbeh, and Chinese Ambassador to Iran, Cong Peiwu, explored the avenues for the expansion of scientific and technological collaborations between the two countries.

The officials met on August 24, 2025, following Peiwu’s visit to the Tehran branch of Iran House of Innovation and Technology (iHiT), Mehr news agency reported.

Having visited the iHiT in Tehran, the Chinese official said, “Iran possesses a magnificent civilization and is home to intelligent people who have made great achievements. The country’s history of technology development is glorious. Today, we are proud to witness Iran’s rapid technological advances in the modern era. China and Iran are two great civilizations with long histories, and the two countries have great potential for fostering scientific cooperation.”

Referring to a recent visit by the Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, Hossein Afshin, to China and the country’s open approach to international cooperation, the official said: “We believe there are many potential avenues for enhancing partnerships between the two countries.”

For his part, Roozbeh stressed the need for promoting and accelerating scientific cooperation between Iran and China, highlighting that the two nations have a long-standing history of scientific, technological, economic, and trade collaborations.

Iran’s science and technology ecosystem has made significant progress in recent years, with more than ten thousand knowledge-based companies operating in the country. The contributions of the highly-skilled and talented workforce have created major opportunities for the development of cooperation, he said.

Referring to the memorandum of understandings (MOUs) signed by Afshin and Ding Zhisheng, the Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China, on the sidelines of the 2nd Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange in June, the official announced Iran’s full readiness to implement the made agreements.

Underscoring China’s notable capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and Iran’s progress in the field, Roozbeh said the two countries’ partnerships in AI will bring about invaluable achievements to the region and the world.

The official went on to say that the establishment of BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) LabsNet will play a crucial role in the expansion of scientific interactions on an international scale.

The two countries have also agreed on exchanging researchers, young scientists, and elites, as well as participating in each country’s exhibition. The collaborations include joint efforts in technology, health and medicine, environment, and agriculture sectors.

The official also noted that Iran will inaugurate the first iHiT in China within the next few months.

MT/MG