Haldor Topsoe

(GAO Report 2010 - "Firms Reported in Open Sources as Having Commercial Activity in Iran’s Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Sectors") (http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10515r.pdf)

Firm comment: Confirmed activity. Noted expected completion of activity is 2013 to 2014.

Firm activity: Licensor of a hydrotreater for refinery in Esfahan;

"Petrochemical Research & Technology Company (NPC-RT) of Iran and Haldor Topsoe A/S of Denmark have been, under a collaboration agreement signed two years ago, engaged in a joint effort to demonstrate new technologies for the petrochemical industry. It is with a great pleasure to announce that this collaboration has now resulted in a contract with Zagros Petrochemical Company to license technology, provide engineering and supply catalyst for a dimethyl ether (DME) plant.  The plant which is to be constructed at Bandar Assaluyeh, Iran with a capacity of 800,000 MTPY of DME, is based on technology and catalyst developed by Haldor Topsoe A/S for dehydration of methanol and made available in Iran by joint scientific and technical collaboration with NPC-RT." (Company Website - Press Release, 2004) (http://www.topsoe.com/news/News/2004/2004-06-16%20Contract%20License%20and%20Basic%20Engineering.aspx)

--

Today, Topsoe – a global technology, catalyst and services vendor to the petrochemical and refining industry – officially opened its offices in Tehran at a ceremony. With the new office, Topsoe will reinforce its already strong ties with Iranian petrochemical and refining companies. (Haldor Topose Website, 9/5/2016) (http://www.topsoe.com/news/2016/09/haldor-topsoe-celebrates-opening-tehran-office)

Status: Completed in 2009;

Firm/country: Haldor Topsoe/Denmark

Commercial activity: Not reported;

In 2017 the U.S. state of Mississippi listed Haldor Topsoe on its Iran restricted companies list rendering Haldor Topsoe ineligible for investment and/or state contracting.  (http://www.dfa.ms.gov/media/4100/companies-posted.pdf)

Haldor Topsoe continues to list a non-commercial branch office in Tehran, Iran on its company website.  (https://www.topsoe.com/global-locations)

-- “Denmark’s Haldor Topsoe, a world leader in catalysis and surface science, has resumed petrochemical collaboration with Iran, project manager of Lavan Industry Development Company said on Monday. ‘Bilateral cooperation between the two companies halted in 2014 due to limitations caused by sanctions, but Haldor Topsoe has recently extended the contract on participation in the Iranian company’s projects until 2018,’ Mohammad Baqer Faridi was also quoted as saying by IRNA... ‘The Danish company was active in transferring technology to Iran’s petrochemical companies,’ he added. Noting that Lavan Industry Development Company plans to set up a petrochemical complex in the second phase of South Pars Gas Field in Asalouyeh, Faridi said the complex aims to produce 3,000 tons of methanol and 1,000 tons of ammonia per day once it is completed. Earlier in February, Topsoe said in a press release that it will open an office in Tehran as it has reached an agreement with an Iranian firm to establish a petrochemical plant in the country's south. Topsoe told Financial Tribune that it signed a contract with Iran's Sharq Eastern Petrochemical Complex for licenses, engineering, proprietary equipment, materials and catalysts to establish a methanol plant in the southern port city of Chabahar.” (Financial Tribune, “Danish Topsoe Resumes Petrochem Cooperation,” 5/31/2016) (http://financialtribune.com/articles/energy/42613/danish-topsoe-resumes-petrochem-cooperation)

In December 2015, “Per K. Bakkerud, Haldor Topsoe’s executive committee member and group vice president, told a senior panel meeting of the 12th Iran Petrochemical Forum (IPF2015) that the company is seeking to ‘a long-term presence in Iran immediately after the removal of sanctions.’” (Petro Energy Information Network, “Haldor Topsoe Seeking Long-term Presence in Post-Sanctions Iran,” 12/13/2015). (http://www.shana.ir/en/newsagency/251680/Haldor-Topsoe-Seeking-Long-term-Presence-in-Post-Sanctions-Iran)

On June 30, 2020, the Mississippi Department of Finance & Administration identified Topsoe as a company “engaged in investment activities in Iran, providing funds, goods or services valued at $20,000,000 or more in the energy sector of Iran.”  Furthermore, we note, Topsoe features an office in Tehran, Iran on its company website.   (https://www.dfa.ms.gov/media/10012/businesses-doing-business-with-iran-12.docx)

“The reinstatement of the US sanctions on Iran has made it extremely difficult for Topsoe’s customers in Iran to finance new projects. This has resulted in slower progress of Iranian projects than anticipated at the beginning of the year. As a consequence thereof, Topsoe has decided to cease activities in Iran by November 2018. We want to ensure that Topsoe remains a competitive business with significant potential for growth. Therefore, due to the current situation, we must unfortunately say goodbye to a number of good colleagues.” “Haldor Topsoe to cut 200 jobs following Iran sanctions”  (9/8/2018) (http://www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20180809/PNE/180809885/haldor-topsoe-to-cut-200-jobs-following-iran-sanctions)

"Haldor Topsoe has signed contracts with the Iranian companies Marjan Petrochemical and Kimiaye Pars for supply of technology for two large methanol plants – both with involvement from National Petrochemical Company.  The plant is expected to go on-stream in 2013." (Company Website - Press Release, /13/2009) (http://www.topsoe.com/news/News/2009/130309.aspx)

Haldor Topsoe A/S is listed as an attendee at the Focus Iran Summit & Exhibition that took place from September 26-27, 2016, in Tehran, Iran. (Participating Companies) (http://imarketmetrics.com/focusiran/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/FOCUS-IRAN-SUMMIT.pdf)