Iran supplied 500 tonnes of catalysts to Russia in 12 months

MOSCOW. July 11 (Interfax) - Iran supplied 500 tonnes of catalysts to Russia in the fiscal year from March 21, 2023 to March 20, 2024, the Mehr news agency reported, citing Morteza Shahmirzaei, head of National Petrochemical Company (NPC).

Local media had reported that catalyst exports to Russia began in the 2022 financial year from March 21, 2023 to March 20, 2023. Data on export volumes were not given. In October it was reported that over the six months from March 21 to September 21, 2023, Iran exported catalysts worth about $9 million to Russia, and $8 million for the entire 2022 fiscal year.

A conference on Transfer of Technology and Localization of Catalysts in Gas, Refining and Petrochemical Industries was held in Tehran on July 10. The Shana news agency reported that during the event, Iran's Pishro Catalyst Almas signed a memorandum with a Russian company, which involves working on the localization of isomerization, reforming and hydrofining catalyst production in Iran.

Iran has already localized the production of 92 types of catalyst for its own oil industry. Iran's demand for catalysts is estimated at 26,000 tonnes, and it is expected that it will continue to grow as oil refineries are modernized.

Iran has the potential to export catalysts to meet the needs of neighboring countries, the report says.