Total studies Iran cracker

TOTAL has signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran’s National Petrochemical Company to investigate building a world-class steam cracker in the country.

In a statement emailed to The Chemical Engineer, Total confirmed the partners are considering building the facility on the Iranian coast, with ethane as the primary feedstock.

Foreign investors are returning to Iran following the lifting last year of economic sanctions that hampered industrial development, including of the country’s vast reserves of oil and gas.

Total said the agreement is for a study into a possible project, and does not constitute a binding contract to build the facility.