Braskem boosts biopolymer production in Brazil with US$87M investment

27 Jul 2023 --- Braskem has increased the production capacity of its bio-based ethylene plant, located in the petrochemical complex of Triunfo in Brazil, by 30%. The petrochemical company’s US$87 million investment aims to meet growing global demand for environmentally sustainable products.

The plant now operates at an increased capacity, from 200,000 to 260,000 metric tons yearly. Braskem’s bio-based ethylene is made from sustainably sourced, sugarcane-based ethanol, which removes CO2 from the atmosphere and stores it in products for daily use. 

The company says the move brings progress to its ambition of increasing the production of biopolymers to one million metric tons by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. 

“The expansion of bio-based ethylene capacity reinforces Braskem’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation and proves the success of the strategy we engaged in thirteen years ago, when we launched the world’s first bio-based PE production at industrial scale, with proprietary technology,” explains Walmir Soller, Braskem’s vice president for Europe and Asia. 

“We want to meet society’s and customers’ demand for products with less impact on the environment.” 

Each metric ton of plastic resin made from renewable feedstock represents removing three metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, explains Braskem.Cross-industry resins 
Each metric ton of plastic resin made from renewable feedstock represents removing three metric tons of CO2 from the atmosphere. Since the plant’s installation in 2010, more than 1.2 million tons of the company’s “I’m green bio-based PE” have been produced. The recent increase in production capacity will remove approximately 185,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year.

Braskem says it is the “world leader” in producing biopolymers. Its portfolio of bio-based resins is exported to more than 30 countries and is used in products from brands such as Allbirds, DUO UK, Grupo Boticário, Johnson&Johnson, Natura & Co, Nissin and Tetra Pak. 

The bio-based resins can be used to manufacture packaging, bags, toys, housewares, industrial cables and wires, packaging films, hockey fields and reusable water bottles.

The development and production of ethylene and resins from bio-based sources result from Braskem’s continued investment in disruptive innovation and technology. Research, digital transformation, and bold partnerships are the foundations upon which Braskem searches for, and scales, sustainable solutions for society and the environment. 

Braskem’s current sustainability commitments include improving the circularity of plastics, promoting human-centric development, and leading the revolution in bio-based materials.

Edited by Natalie Schwertheim