Braskem’s 100% recyclable HDPE to propel sustainable Brazilian packaging market

13 Aug 2021 --- Brazilian thermoplastic resin producer Braskem is unveiling a new polyethylene (PE) resin for the rigid plastic packaging segment. Touted as an option for companies seeking fully recyclable materials, Braskem’s latest launch represents an ongoing effort by the company to improve Brazil’s circular packaging standards. 

Part of the Rigeo product portfolio, which includes a range of rigid PE materials, the new addition is a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) branded HD1954M. 

The material is designed to deliver a combination of high rigidity, high impact strength, and Environmental Stress Cracking (ESCR), rendering packaging optimization and productivity gains. ESCR is one of the most common causes of unexpected brittle failure of thermoplastic polymers known at present.

“This launch meets the demands of the chemical and agrochemical markets, which traditionally are very demanding in terms of quality,” explains Leandro Fiorin, application engineering leader at Braskem. 

“Properties such as rigidity, as well as resistance to impact and ESCR, are key features that deliver enhanced product safety for this segment.” 

The HD1954M is designed as a recyclable material that retains traditional strength properties.Rigeo for rigid packaging 
The Braskem Rigeo portfolio, which was launched in 2017, has so far consisted of the 4950HSM and HD1053M grades, which are all recyclable. 

While Rigeo 4950HSM grade has adequate fluidity for the production of small volume packaging, the new Rigeo HD1954M can be used to produce up to 20 L in volume, explains the company. 

“Meeting industry demands is key, but not only that. Together with our clients, we strive to develop technically robust products aligned with the principles of circular economy,” emphasizes Fiorin. 

“This way, Rigeo HD1954M is another solution aimed at meeting market requirements, leading to more sustainable and lighter packaging, without losing its properties.” 

Breaking Brazilian ground
The release of Rigeo HD1954M comes at the heels of a series of developments made by Braksem in the past few years. 

In 2020, the company partnered with environmental engineering firm Tecipar to repurpose landfill plastics as part of recycled resin production in São Paulo, Brazil.

The two parties aim to recover recyclable PE, and polypropylene (PP) plastics from the landfill of Santana do Parnaíba, a city in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil’s most populous city. 

Their efforts will prevent 2,000 metric tons of plastic residues from being discharged yearly on the landfill, the equivalent of 36 million PE and PP packaging items.

In April, Braskem became the first Brazilian company to receive the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus. 

The carbon certification allows Braskem to expand its circular resins and chemical products and pursue research collaborations to improve advanced recycling technologies, producing materials with similar characteristics as fossil materials. 

Edited 

By Louis Gore-Langton