The largest consumption of manganese in Iran’s petrochemical industry is related to the production of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), where manganese acetate (along with cobalt acetate and bromide) is used as a catalyst for the oxidation of para-xylene. Approximately 4,500 tons of manganese acetate (in the form of a catalyst) is produced annually at the Shahid Tondgouyan Petrochemical Complex and several other units. Following PTA, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is the second petrochemical product with the highest manganese consumption, as manganese is used in the composition of certain PET polymerization catalysts (alongside antimony, cobalt, or zinc). In other production lines such as polyolefins (PE/PP), PVC, or styrene, manganese plays a minimal or negligible role, and titanium-based, aluminum-based, or precious metal catalysts are primarily used.
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1. Production of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)
1.1 Role of Manganese
• Para-xylene Oxidation Process: The Co/Mn/Br catalytic system (cobalt acetate and manganese acetate along with bromide) is used to convert para-xylene to PTA.
• Catalyst Production Capacity: The Shahid Tondgouyan Petrochemical Complex and several other complexes in Iran produce 4,500 tons of manganese and cobalt acetate-containing catalyst annually through joint investment to meet domestic demand.
1.2 Importance
• High Yield: The Co/Mn/Br system is one of the most efficient catalysts for para-xylene oxidation.
• Foreign Currency Savings: Localizing manganese acetate catalyst saves approximately 2 million euros annually for the country.
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2. Production of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
2.1 Application of Manganese in PET Catalysts
• In thermoplastic PET polymerization, antimony trioxide (Sb₂O₃) is typically used as the main catalyst; however, manganese salts (usually manganese acetate or manganese oxide) are also used alongside cobalt or zinc in catalytic systems to improve polymerization speed and control the color of the final product.
• Consumption Rate: In complexes like the Shahid Tondgouyan Petrochemical Complex (with an annual production capacity of 750,000 tons of PET), manganese consumption has been reported to be several hundred to a thousand tons of catalyst annually.
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3. Other Petrochemical Products
• Polyolefins (PE/PP): Primarily Ziegler–Natta (Mg/Ti) or metallocene (Ti/Al) catalysts are used, with manganese playing no essential role.
• PVC and Styrene: Tin (Sn) and titanium-based catalysts and other organometallic compounds are employed; manganese does not have significant applications in these processes.
• Compounds and Resins: In the production of specialty resins or additives, manganese may be used limitedly as a curing agent or stabilizer, but its consumption volume is negligible.
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4. Conclusion
1. PTA with the Co/Mn/Br catalyst has the highest share of manganese consumption among Iran’s petrochemical products.
2. PET ranks second, where manganese is used as part of the polymerization catalytic system.
3. In other petrochemical production lines, the role of manganese is very limited, and primary catalysts are often manganese-free.
If you need more information regarding the supply, recycling, or replacement of manganese catalysts, I am ready to provide a technical report and consultation.
Dr. Nader Salaknejad
Email: info@GHLOLO.com
