Iranian-made aerogels save $2 million annually in energy at petrochemical plant

The deployment of domestically produced aerogel insulation by a knowledge-based Iranian company at Arvand Petrochemical Complex has resulted in an annual energy cost saving of approximately 80 billion tomans, equal to about $1 million, according to the country’s Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy.

Iran faces a serious energy consumption challenge, with per capita electricity and gas usage five to six times above the global average.

Aerogels, first developed by NASA in the 1930s for cryogenic and space applications, are now proving to be a game-changer in industrial energy efficiency.

Since 2002, companies like Aspen Aerogels have commercialized this advanced insulation globally. In Iran, Pakan Atieh Nano Danesh, a nanotechnology firm, has successfully localized the technology after 12 years of R&D.

CEO Hassan Bargozin noted that energy optimization, especially in buildings and storage facilities, which account for over 40% of national consumption, has long been neglected.
He emphasized that traditional insulation methods are inefficient and culturally underutilized due to historically low energy prices.

The company’s aerogels offer long-term benefits including over 20 years of durability, ease of installation, affordability compared to imports, and exceptional thermal performance, making them a practical and sustainable solution for Iran’s energy-intensive sectors.