TEHRAN (PIN) – The managing director of Karoon Petrochemical Company said his complex was undergoing the last stage of operations and was expected to come on stream in early November.

Jalal Movahhed told PIN the injection of feedstock into the company’s DNT unit had started and the unit would be the first plant that would begin the company’s chain production.
“In the first phase, Karoon Petrochemical Company will produce 40 thousand tons of toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) per year,” said the official, adding the second phase that would have the capacity to yield 40 thousand tons of methylene diphenyl isocyanate (MDI) per annum was predicted to become operational in 2008.
Movahhed said Iran needed 20 thousand tons of isocyanates annually that was supplied by foreign companies.
“At present, each ton of TDI costs 3,600 dollars,” said the managing director, vowing that some 80 million dollars would be saved when Karoon Petrochemical Company was put into operation.
“Isocyanates (TDI and MDI) are strategic products and only two million tons of these products are currently produced across the world,” said the chief, predicting that Iran would be self-sufficient in production of isocyanates after the complex started work.
Karoon Petrochemical Company, the first of its type in Iran to attract foreign capitals, has succeeded in producing new materials of isocyanate, meeting not only domestic needs, but also exporting.
Movahhed said, “Our main activities in the current year revolve around presence in the market and supply of TDI. This is the first time Iran is producing TDI. The product is the raw material of all insulators and is greatly used in home appliances, automaking, and glue industries.
“The company’s Commercial Department made great efforts and explored the unknown international TDI market, managing to attract good clients across the world. The supply of product in the world cannot meet the real need and therefore it could be sold at a high price.
“In addition, we have planned to provide the domestic market with the product and export 30 thousand tons of our 40 thousand ton output.
“We have provided a lot of required chemicals through domestic and overseas markets. Due to lack of financial resources, we received a 400 billion rial (43.2 million dollars) loan from Eghtesad Novin (EN) Bank in two stages in order to fulfill our commitments at due time.
“Concerning the lab, we have purchased and installed all necessary equipment and they are ready to be tested. We have also made good progress in supplying electricity and precision tools last year and the construction operations of the first phase are to end within the next two months, leading to the initial inauguration of the project.
“We have installed two main high-speed hydrogen and chloride treatment units that are being completed.
“In the meantime, we held training courses for 24 of our key staff in our Sweden-based office that masters the technical know-how.
“We have also dispatched two 20-strong groups of exploitation, safety, and repair units to India late last year to pass their supplementary courses in a similar unit and get familiar with the process.
“Everything is going well and the first phase of the project is scheduled to come on stream in late June.”