The Sixth National Filtration Conference, focusing on “Filtration in the Petrochemical Industry,” was held at the Isfahan Science and Technology Town. Organized by Iran Filtech in collaboration with PGPIC, the event brought together over 300 senior executives from the oil, gas, petrochemical, power, and steel sectors, alongside academics, researchers, and domestic technology companies.
The conference featured in-depth discussions on optimizing filtration systems in petrochemical industries, inspection protocols, performance evaluations, innovative design methodologies, environmental pollution reduction, process simulation, and the role of AI in filtration technologies. Experts also examined the economic impact of filtration on operational efficiency and energy savings, while identifying challenges and offering actionable solutions for the industry.
A side exhibition featured leading domestic technology firms, fostering knowledge exchange and showcasing innovations. The event also included scientific paper presentations, expert panels on energy sector filtration challenges, B2B sessions, roundtables on environmental and technological localization issues, and technical workshops.
Mojtaba Saadatpour, Head of the National Filtration Conference and Director of the specialized filtration laboratory at ISTT, underscored the importance of choosing high-quality filters. He warned that field testing alone cannot verify filter performance, and lack of laboratory validation could result in irreparable system costs. Saadatpour highlighted the lab’s role in safeguarding quality while reducing testing costs, and noted its national recognition as a scientific and industrial reference.
Mohammad Asadnezhad, Deputy Director of the Thermal Power Plants Holding Company’s Production Technical Office, stressed that specialized labs are vital for filtration quality assurance. He stated that their organization only recognizes the ISTT lab for filtration testing. According to Asadnezhad, using high-efficiency filters can contribute to supplying electricity for nearly 1,000 rural households in northwestern Iran with just a one-megawatt power gain — an essential step amid the current energy imbalance.
Ali Shomali, Head of Strategy and Innovation at PGPIC, elaborated on the holding’s approach to fostering innovation and localization of critical petrochemical technologies. He emphasized that without innovation, the industry cannot survive. Many key materials and components have already been localized through PGPIC-led R&D initiatives.
Shomali explained that the group annually identifies and publishes the technological needs of over 30 petrochemical subsidiaries and development projects, enabling tech companies and startups to propose solutions. He announced the launch of PGPIC’s venture capital fund (CVC), designed to support high-risk, high-reward innovations by knowledge-based companies.
Shomali also emphasized the strategic role of filtration in equipment health, environmental protection, and compliance with HSE standards. He noted that PGPIC seeks to localize advanced filters, including those using nanotechnology, and welcomes innovative proposals for their design and standardization.
He added that PGPIC plans to organize technology tours for R&D managers across its subsidiaries to facilitate industry-academic collaboration through visits to research hubs like the Isfahan Science and Technology Town.
The success of the conference reflects the growing importance of advanced filtration technologies in enhancing industrial performance and environmental sustainability.