A Narrative of Ascent: What Has Iran’s Nanotechnology Achieved at 20, and What Lies Ahead?

In an interview with the Social Affairs correspondent of Tasnim News Agency, Emad Ahmadvand, Secretary of the Nanotechnology Development Headquarters of the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and the Knowledge-Based Economy, referred to the conclusion of the 20-year National Nanotechnology Development Program in Iran (2005–2024) and the vital role of emerging technologies in global dynamics. He stated that in today’s world, technology is one of the fundamental components of national power and a key driver of economic growth, social resilience, and the enhancement of countries’ positions in the global economic system.

He noted that the experience of leading countries demonstrates that targeted investment in advanced technologies not only increases productivity and creates added value, but also plays a decisive role in improving quality of life, reducing inequalities, and addressing major national challenges.

Emphasizing that the development of strategic technologies under conditions of structural constraints and external pressures goes beyond a mere technological choice and constitutes a strategic necessity, Ahmadvand added that more than two decades ago, the Islamic Republic of Iran selected the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology as one of the priority pillars of its national science, technology, and innovation policy.

He explained that this path was pursued through an indigenous and endogenous approach. During the first two decades, the primary focus was on developing human capital and scientific infrastructure. Now, with these capacities reaching maturity, the third ten-year Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Development Program (with a horizon to 2033) has consolidated objectives such as enhancing the competitiveness of domestic industries, expanding sustainable exports, and producing high value-added products in line with the vision of “prosperity, wealth creation, and improvement of people’s quality of life.”

The Secretary of the Nanotechnology Development Headquarters went on to outline details of financial performance and investment in this field, stressing that the results of eight rounds of monitoring the nanotechnology products market over the period 2016–2024 indicate exceptionally high productivity within this ecosystem.

He announced that the total budget allocated to the National Nanotechnology Development Program over the past 20 years (2005–2024) amounted to 1,185 billion tomans, which, based on the exchange rate at the time of allocation, is estimated at approximately 228 million US dollars.

Ahmadvand continued that, in contrast, the cumulative sales of nanotechnology products over just the past 10 years (2014–2024) have exceeded 231 trillion tomans (equivalent to 7.4 billion US dollars). In addition, exports of nanotechnology products during the period 2015–2024 reached 657 million US dollars, underscoring the strong foreign-exchange–earning potential of this technology.

He emphasized that evaluating nanotechnology performance solely on the basis of sales volume does not provide a complete picture, noting that the use of nanotechnology products—beyond direct sales—has led to significant reductions in national costs and substantial macro-level savings.

The Secretary of the Nanotechnology Development Headquarters stated that, according to available documentation, foreign currency savings amounting to USD 1.853 billion have been achieved solely through five selected product groups, effectively preventing capital outflow. In addition, the application of advanced technologies in industry has led to a reduction of 940 billion tomans in energy consumption across two selected product groups. In the healthcare sector, cost reductions totaling 18.165 trillion tomans have significantly eased the burden on the national healthcare system.

Referring to concrete examples of nanotechnology’s impact on healthcare, he noted that the production of nano-pharmaceuticals represents one of the most successful areas of this technology. Beyond enhancing social justice and improving patient access to advanced treatments, this sector has generated substantial savings in both foreign exchange and domestic currency.

The official highlighted flagship products such as “Sinadoxosome” and “Paclinab,” both anti-cancer drugs, “SinaAmpholish” for the treatment of leishmaniasis and fungal infections, as well as various nutritional and medicinal supplements, as prominent examples of this success. The total sales volume of selected nano-pharmaceuticals during the period 2016–2024 amounted to 21 trillion rials.

He further explained the vital role of nanotechnology in core industries, stating that in the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors, the production of strategic catalysts was prioritized to reduce dependency and enhance economic resilience. As a result, 45 types of products have been manufactured by 10 domestic companies.

The Secretary of the Nanotechnology Development Headquarters added that domestic sales of these products over the past seven years (2018–2024) reached 172 trillion rials. Moreover, in addition to USD 25 million in exports to neighboring countries and the CIS region, these products have generated USD 619 million in foreign currency savings.

Regarding the role of nanotechnology in the power and electricity sector, he explained that the use of nanofilters in gas power plants, with total sales of 2.8 trillion rials, has increased turbine efficiency by approximately 1.4 percent, prevented pressure drops, and contributed to grid stability and the reduction of electricity imbalance.

Ahmadvand also emphasized emerging technologies and their environmental impacts, noting that nanobubble technology has delivered remarkable gains in resource efficiency, including a 12 percent increase in crop yields in greenhouse agriculture and a 100 percent increase in production density in aquaculture.

He added that in the water treatment sector, this technology has reduced electricity consumption at treatment plants, resulting in 800 billion rials in savings.

The Secretary of the Nanotechnology Development Headquarters stressed that despite all the figures presented, the true scope of nanotechnology’s impact extends beyond quantitative indicators. This technology has driven qualitative and strategic transformations, such as enhancing energy and food security, eliminating core industries’ dependence on imports of strategic goods (such as catalysts that previously served as sanctions leverage), and strengthening social justice through reduced healthcare costs.