Managing director of Iran Petrochemical Commercial Company says Iran has lost much of its market share in Europe and it would be hard for the country to regain its share of the petrochemical market in the green continent.
Mehdi Sharifi Niknafs said plans are under way by Iran to recapture its market share, but "it would be hard".
"We were absent from the European petrochemical market during the sanctions years," he said. "By removal of the [western] sanctions, the doors of the European market will open to us and Iran's petrochemical consignments will be sent to the market."
He said many major factories have been able to replace Iran in the market during these years.
"However, over the course of these years, we have maintained the structure of our enterprises in Europe and are trying to revive its share of the European market."
Niknafs said some European customers have so far indicated their interest to buy petrochemicals from Iran.
Prior to imposition of the sanctions on Iran by the West to curb Tehran's nuclear program, Iranian petrochemical plants sold 30% of their output on European markets.