In the program of "the Iranian Product" on Radio Economics, Mehran Abolhezhad said, "The domestic tissue consumption per capita is less than two kilograms."
He also stated, "The difference between this figure and the global and regional tissue consumption per capita is very high."
In response to the question of how many tissue manufacturing units there are in the country, the member of the board of directors of Iranian Association of Cellulosic and Hygienic Industries said, "There are over 100 small and large manufacturing units in the country, but the main market share belongs to between 8 and 10 large manufacturers."
He continued, "The history of the industry in Iran goes back to the period before revolution."
Abolneahad restated, "The raw materials of the cellulose industry classified as "hardwood" and "softwood" are supplied from overseas because the origin of the materials are not in Iran and are mostly imported from the East Asian countries, especially Indonesia, and some Latin American countries and the North European countries."
Also pointing out that tissue paper is one of the most important raw materials of cellulosic and hygienic industries, he said, "The domestic production capacity of this raw material is between 280 and 300 thousand tons which is two times as much as the domestic requirements."
The member of the board of directors of Iranian Association of Cellulosic and Hygienic Industries added, "From 18 to 20 thousand people are currently are engaged in manufacturing cellulosic products, especially tissues."
He said, "The domestic cellulose products, especially different types of tissues, have very high quality and are also very competitive with foreign products."
Abolnezhad said, "The cellulosic and hygienic industries are one of the most important industries in every country because their products are used by all people of the society in all age groups and are directly related to the people's health."
He added, "Tissues are among the products which have been widely and increasingly used by the families in the country in the recent decades."
The member of the board of directors of Iranian Association of Cellulosic and Hygienic Industries stated, "A lot of factories are now producing this product all over the country."
He added, "Some of the raw materials used in the cellulosic and hygienic industries are domestically produced and the rest are supplied through imports."
Abolnezhad said, "Generally, 80 percent of the tissue components are imported and only 20 percent of them are locally produced and supplied."
He continued, "The domestic tissues are supplied and consumed with high quality raw materials based on modern standards and technology."
The "Iranian Product" program is made in the Industry and Commerce Group of the Radio Economic Specialized Network which is broadcasted from Saturday to Thursday at 11 a.m. and lasts for 55 minutes by Hamideh Reza Soltani and Leila Omid Yeganeh, as the producers, aiming to introduce, promote and advertise Iranian products, domestic production in order to support domestic manufacturers and to counteract the indiscriminating consumption of foreign goods on 98 FM waves, and those who are interested can download its audio files of the program on the radio website.