Iranian experts launched a gas-phase polymerization process unit.

Iranian experts have achieved technical know-how for gas-phase polymerization, head of Arak Petrochemical Research and Technology Center announced.
Gholamhossein Varshouy told IRNA on Sunday that the center attained the success after its specialists managed to launch a gas-phase polymerization process (GPPP) unit.
He recalled that German designer in charge of launching the unit had earlier refused to continue cooperation with Iran, expressing doubt that Iranians would be able to set up the unit.
The unit was completely launched by using indigenous knowledge with the support of Petrochemical Research and Technology Company. Varshouy noted that the achievement will help cut expenses by producing ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
UHMWPE is synthesized from monomers of ethylene, which are bonded together to form what is called ultra high molecular weight polyethylene.
UHMWPE fibers are used in bulletproof vests, bow strings, climbing equipment, fishing line, spearguns, high performance sails, suspension lines on sport parachutes, rigging in yachting, kites and kites lines for kites sports.
He stated that gas-phase polymerization process will also help the country to produce ethylene co-polymers, propylene, ethylene polymer and other products.
Experts have set up the unit in six months while it was estimated that its launch would take two years, he added.
The official said that the success will open a new chapter for the country’s petrochemical sector.
This method is used with gaseous monomers such as ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, and vinyl chloride. The monomer is introduced under pressure into a reaction vessel containing a polymerization initiator. Once polymerization begins, monomer molecules diffuse to the growing polymer chains. The resulting polymer is obtained as a granular solid.

British authorities have told Iranian airline Mahan Air it can no longer operate flights in Britain because of what they call ’concerns about its safety record’, the Department for Transport said Saturday.
The move will hit the carrier’s five weekly flights between Tehran and Manchester.
“We have withdrawn their permits to fly commercially here because we weren’t satisfied that they were operating safely,“ a department spokesman told AFP.
“There were a number of recent incidents which suggested a poor level of planning and safety.“
These included the discovery that some aircraft were operating without collision avoidance systems, he added.
Mahan Air, whose network spans 21 destinations in 10 countries, is based in Tehran.
Meanwhile, deputy head of Civil Aviation Organization of Islamic Republic of Iran (CAOIRI) said that Iran is negotiating with British officials on resolving the issue.
Ali Manzari expressed hope that Mahan flights would soon resume.
Also, in a reaction to the move by British authorities, managing director of Mahan Air described ’flight safety concerns’ as a mere ’claim’.
Hamid Arabnejad said that the airliner is following up the issue to resume operation.
He stressed, “There is nothing more important than flight safety for the airliner.“
In 2006, British investigators announced a probe into an incident in which a Mahan Air jet flying to Birmingham, central England, apparently descended at a dangerously low level and was forced to abort its landing.
The Department for Transport spokesman said it would now work with the European Commission to help the airline fix the problems.

Iran and Mexico reached an agreement to set up a joint economic commission next year.
The agreement was reached between Iran’s new ambassador to Mexico, Mohammad Hassan Qadiri-Abyaneh and Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister Lurdes de Aranda.
Qadiri-Abyaneh also invited Mexico to attend the Non-Aligned Movement foreign ministers meeting in Tehran to discuss human rights and cultural diversities, IRNA reported.
Commenting on Tehran’s stance on regional issues, particularly Iraq and the outcome of Iran-US talks on Iraq, the envoy said that the Islamic Republic supports sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Iraq.
Mexican official, for her part, said her country’s policy is to support peace, security and independence of countries and has always defended talks and dialogue in solving disputes between countries.
She also expressed Mexico’s readiness to expand ties with Iran, especially in cultural and economic fields.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Mexican daily ’La Reforma’, Qadiri-Abyaneh said Tehran intends to privatize sections of its oil industry within the next four years to develop its economy and make it competitive in international markets.
He said, “Iran intends to privatize parts of its oil industry and attract investment in refineries, petrochemical plants, and oil exploration industry will be given to the private sector.“
He invited Mexican energy ministry to visit Iran to exchange experiences in the field.
He noted, “We are also ready to cooperate with Mexico in the construction of oil refineries and petrochemical complexes.“
Qadiri-Abyaneh said, “We intend to strengthen ties between Iran and Mexico.“
He said, “I have come here with a clear mission to improve ties at the highest level and in all dimensions. I am sure that Mexico ties won’t be influenced by US pressures and opposition.“
He told the Mexican daily, “We are aware that the US is your main trade and economic partner, but it won’t cause any obstacles in improving ties with Iran.“

Department of Environment is to set up aerial patrol units in four regions of East Azarbajian, West Azarbaijan, Sistan-Baluchestan, Fars and Kohkilouyeh-Boyer Ahmad.
Head of DoE further said that preliminary studies had been conducted on concluding contract with Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Company (Hesa), IRNA wrote.
Fatemeh Vaez-Javadi, who is also a vice president, explained that she had held talks with Hesa officials on using helicopters and drones for environmental protection.
She called for making use of aerial technology for patrolling and preserving domestic natural resources and forests as an unparalleled step.
Once DoE is equipped with aerial patrol, it will make up for shortage of manpower and increase the capabilities of department’s managers, she asserted.
Vaez-Javadi hoped that the contract between DoE and Hesa would be finalized and implemented within the next two months.
She said DoE has allocated eight trillion rials for the project. As per agreements with governor-generals of the said provinces, half of the abovementioned fund is to be supplied from provincial budget, she pointed out.
The official continued that taking advantage of the facility, DoE is able to prepare pictorial documents (aerial maps) of target regions in an effort to expedite assistance in case of fire. In addition, the department can forecast possible droughts and supply fodder for wildlife in wintertime, she concluded.

Domestic experts have achieved great progress in dam building since 1979.

Energy minister predicted that dams’ storage capacity will increase by two billion cubic meters per annum with the construction of new dams.
Parviz Fattah told IRNA that at present, 85 small and giant dams with the reservoir capacity of 10 billion cubic meters are under construction.
The minister predicted that major part of dam projects will be completed in a decade if the implementation process moves in line with Comprehensive Water Plan.
Fattah put the credit allocated for dam building and water network at 20,000 billion rials in the year to March 2008. “The sum is the highest for the sector since the victory of Islamic Revolution in 1979.“
He unveiled a plan to inject one billion rials into the sector either by attracting foreign investment or withdrawal of money from Oil Stabilization Fund.
Fattah drew a bright picture for country’s dam-building industry. Iran is a leading dam building country. Domestic experts have achieved great progress in dam building since 1979. Iranian specialists have also undertaken dam projects in abroad.
Meanwhile, deputy head of Privatization Organization, Mehdi Tabaei-Aqdaei said that shares of two state companies affiliated to the ministry were sold through tenders.

Qazvin-Rasht Highway project has shown physical progress of 80 percent and will be completed by March 2009.
Speaking to reporters visiting the project, managing director of Qazvin-Rasht Highway Company further said that the construction of the highway began as a single-lane project by Road and Transportation Ministry’s Department for Road Construction and Development in March 1998 to upgrade Tehran-Rasht-Anzali route which is part of North-South Corridor. The project continued in the fall of 2003 as a joint venture by the ministry and Qazvin-Rasht Highway Company, he added, reported the Persian daily Donya-e Eqtesad.
Highlighting that North-South Corridor is the shortest, cheapest and most appropriate route for transporting cargo between Asia and Europe, Jamshid Rasaie explained that Qazvin-Rasht Highway will link Gilan and Ardebil provinces to Tehran.
Turning to the financing of the project, he said the funds will be provided by the ministry and Qazvin-Rasht Highway Company which is affiliated to Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization and Tejarat Bank.
The total length of the project is 138 kilometers, of which 127 kilometers will be constructed jointly and the rest built by the ministry, he pointed out.
According to him, once the highway becomes operational, it will reduce travel time between Qazvin and Rasht by 45 minutes.
On the features of the highway, he said it has four lanes. The average speed for light and heavy vehicles has been set at 88 and 45 kilometers per hour respectively, he added.
Rasaie continued that the total capacity of highway would be 53,200 vehicles per day.
The project includes 10 tunnels with a total length of five kilometers, the longest of which is 1,763 meters, he noted, putting the cost of constructing each kilometer of tunnel at 10 billion rials. He disclosed that about 30 flyovers are also to be constructed. Also many underpasses have been constructed to enable farmers to access their lands, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, head of Public Relations Office of Company for Constructing and Developing Transportation Infrastructures said that Qazvin-Rasht-Anzali Railroad is also nearing completion.