Iran Unveils Locally Made Strategic Catalysts for Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries

TEHRAN: Iran has unveiled two domestically developed strategic catalysts for the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, as the country seeks to reduce reliance on foreign technology and strengthen industrial supply chains amid international sanctions.

The chromium-free high-temperature shift catalyst and medium-temperature shift catalyst were unveiled at Sarv Oil and Gas Industries Development Company, a knowledge-based Iranian company, on Sunday.

The two products are designed for key industrial processes involving hydrogen and syngas production, where catalysts are essential for converting carbon monoxide and adjusting gas composition for subsequent processing.

In the water-gas shift process, carbon monoxide reacts with steam to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

High-temperature and medium-temperature shift catalysts are selected according to operating conditions and process requirements and are used in the production of hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and syngas.

They also have applications in parts of the refining and petrochemical industries.

The domestic production of the catalysts is particularly important for Iran as sanctions and restrictions on access to foreign technologies and industrial equipment have complicated supply chains.

One of the newly unveiled products is a chromium-free high-temperature shift catalyst.

Conventional high-temperature shift catalysts can contain chromium compounds as promoters. Removing chromium from the formulation can reduce concerns related to the handling and management of chromium-containing materials and represents a step toward developing alternative catalyst formulations.

The second product is a medium-temperature shift catalyst designed to improve carbon monoxide conversion under intermediate-temperature operating conditions.

Developers say domestic production of the catalysts could provide benefits beyond replacing imported products.

Local manufacturing can shorten supply chains, reduce foreign-exchange requirements and limit the impact of sanctions and import restrictions on industrial operations.

It can also make technical support and replacement supplies more readily available to domestic industrial plants.

Catalysts are considered essential components of the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, and disruptions in their availability can affect plant operations, production costs and overall efficiency.

Iran’s development of locally produced catalysts is therefore part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic capabilities across the entire catalyst supply chain.

This includes research, formulation, manufacturing, quality control and technical services.

The developers said successful industrial performance of the new catalysts could create opportunities for Iran to expand its presence in regional markets.

If the products demonstrate reliable performance under commercial operating conditions, domestic catalyst production could help Iran strengthen its industrial independence while potentially opening new export opportunities across neighbouring energy markets.

The development represents another step in Iran’s efforts to build domestic technological capacity in strategically important industries despite continuing restrictions on access to foreign technology and equipment.