TEHRAN: Iran is planning to produce 1400 Iranian nanotechnology-enhanced products in two years.
Head of Iran’s Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC) Saeed Sarkar confirmed that his country is planning to increase its nano-products by more than 2 times.

He added that as many as 250 nanotechnology-enhanced products will hit the market this year, adding, “In nanotechnology, we will definitely reach the point where both our production and our exports will see a remarkable increase.”

“At the moment, there are nearly 600 nanotechnology-enhanced products in the Iranian market, and 250 more will be added this year,” he added.

“We have plans to bring the number of Iranian nano products to 1400 in the Iranian calendar year of 1400, which is in two years,” he said.

The INIC head then noted the good progress in the nanotechnology sector, saying, “We targeted good opportunities that both contributed to the growth of our nano-based economy and increased the reach of our nano exports.”

He said 15 industrial sectors in Iran currently use nanotechnology, adding that Iranian nano products have so far been exported to many countries, such as South Korea, Australia, China, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey, Malaysia, Canada, as well as European, African and Latin American countries.

According to him, $62 million worth of nano products were exported to these countries last year.

Banian Azar Novin Ideal is one of the most successful nano-textile producers in Iran. This company exported 70 tons of nano enhanced towels to various neighboring countries in 2018 valued at $600,000, according to Iran Nanotechnology Innovation Council (INIC).

Iranian nanotechnology products have been exported to over 45 countries, he said, naming some of these countries as South Korea, Australia, China, Indonesia, Russia, Turkey, Malaysia, Canada, as well countries in Europe, Latin America, and Africa.

Last year, Iran’s revenues from nano exports stood at $62 million, the INIC head said, adding that the Council has plans to increase the value of its exports this year.

13,050 patents were registered in the Europe (EPTO) and US (USPTO) patent offices in 2018. The number of registered patents in 2018 is 68% higher than in 2017. This number puts Iran in the 21st place in the global ranking of countries with most nanotechnology patents.

Iran is followed by Luxembourg, Denmark, Turkey, and Austria in the global ranking.

(Agencies)