Iranian state petchems firm NPC has signed an MoU with France’s Total to build an ethane cracker, the second preliminary post-sanctions petchems deal following last month’s between NPC and Danish process technology firm Haldor Topsoe.

A Total spokesman tells MEES the company has signed up to “study the possibility of building a world-class steam cracker on the Iranian coast, with ethane as the primary feedstock.” The MoU is a frame agreement and “does not constitute a binding contract to build the facility.” While NPC is no longer under sanctions, Total will “pay particular attention to the profile of any potential partners with which it may work.” (CONTINUED - 399 WORDS)