Nasser Shamkhani, CEO of Hegmataneh Petrochemical, stated that the
company was established in 2002 by decree of the Cabinet and the Board of
Directors of the National Petrochemical Company (NPC) to meet domestic demand
for medical-grade PVC.
He noted that the project was halted in 2009 due to the implementation
of Article 44 of the Constitution and the requirement to divest government
shares. This suspension lasted until 2018 and ultimately led to a full shutdown
of operations.
After being listed among the second wave of petrochemical development
initiatives, Hegmataneh Petrochemical resumed activity. With multiple meetings
held with the then-Minister of Petroleum, and the resolution of its ownership
issues, the plant officially began operations in January 2021 under direct
presidential order.
Judiciary’s Role in Feedstock Supply
Shamkhani explained that from commissioning to the judiciary’s
intervention, the company had received less than 8% of its required feedstock
due to the absence of a long-term supply agreement. Despite numerous appeals to
executive and legislative bodies, the issue remained unresolved until judicial
involvement led to a breakthrough.
The new allocation, approved through inter-provincial judicial
cooperation, ensures continued operations for the short term. Shamkhani added
that, due to company conditions, many of the original 330 staff members opted
for voluntary buyouts. However, due to the specialized nature of the workforce,
remote working arrangements were introduced to retain critical talent. Although
some salary arrears remain, the CEO expressed confidence that all obligations
would be met as production continues.
Without judicial support, the company had planned not to renew
employee contracts for 2025. Thanks to recent developments, contract renewals
are now being arranged, averting another potential shutdown.
Strategic Importance of Medical PVC
Hegmataneh Petrochemical is a key domestic producer of medical-grade
PVC used in critical medical equipment such as blood bags, IV sets, and oxygen
masks. A shutdown would have forced the country to rely on imports, incurring
significant foreign currency costs.
Shamkhani affirmed that operating at just 50–60% of the company’s
nominal capacity is sufficient to meet 100% of domestic demand, with surplus
available for export.
During his recent visit to Hamedan, Judiciary Chief Hojjatoleslam
Mohseni Ejei toured the plant as part of a national push to remove barriers to
production and encourage investment.
Feedstock Self-Sufficiency Plans
Deputy Petroleum Minister and CEO of the Petrochemical Industries
Company, who also attended the visit, praised the judiciary's support and
announced efforts to secure feedstock locally. With pipeline infrastructure
already in place, there are plans to eliminate the need for truck transport
from southern Iran.
In the long term, the goal is to establish an on-site feedstock
production unit adjacent to the Hegmataneh complex to ensure supply security
and prevent future disruptions.