1st Bioethanol Fuel Production Plant Launched in Iran

Iran is launching its first plant for the production of bioethanol amid efforts to diversify the country’s fuel supply.

CEO of the National Iranian Oil Refining Distribution Company (NIORDC) said on Wednesday that a first plant for the production of bioethanol had been launched by the Iranian ministry of industry in Kermanshah Refinery in western Iran.

Mohammad Sadegh Azimifar said that the NIORDC would purchase the entire supply of bioethanol produced by the plant to use it as an ethanol-based additive to boost the quality of gasoline used by motorists in the country.

Azimifar said a similar project is under construction in Gachsaran in southern Iran, adding that the Iranian Oil Ministry is ready to purchase all bioethanol fuel supplies produced by private companies.

“We are ready to sign purchase contracts with others who have invested in the fields of ethanol and bioethanol as part of efforts to improve the quality of fuel in the country,” he said.

Iran hopes it can significantly reduce emissions and boost the sustainability of its fuel sector by increasing the domestic supply of bioethanol as a renewable fuel. Iran’s Industrial Development & Renovation Organization (IDRO) said in February that the country had mastered the expertise to produce bioethanol fuel.

The government body said at the time that it was ready to supply 0.2 million liters per day of ethanol-based fuel. Government figures show that Iran has set a target to increase its bioethanol production to 6 million liters per day. - Press TV