SÃO PAULO – Braskem, the largest resin producer in the Americas and the world’s leading biopolymer producer, is expanding its production of I’m green biopolymers made from sugarcane.
In addition to a wide range of plastics, I’m green biopolymers have already been turned into spunbond nonwovens by companies including Fitesa.
To date, around 200,000 tons of the biopolymers are produced annually in Brazil, but a new $60 million investment will expand this to 260,000 tons and the company has plans to further grow capacity to one million tons by 2030.
The company is examining the possibility of building a new I’m green biopolymer factory in Thailand in partnership with SCG Chemicals. The partners are currently working together on studies into the feasibility and optimal location of such a production facility.
In addition, there are numerous collaborations in other areas, such as that with Lummus Technology. Lummus is one of the leading licensors in the field of ethylene and has now added ethanol dehydration to ethylene to its portfolio.
Another significant step is the joint venture with the Japanese supplier Sojitz to produce bioMEG (monoethylene glycol) for PET and bioMPG (monopropylene glycol) for a range of applications.
Indirect emissions
Scope 3 (indirect) emissions are one of the most challenging to tackle in the fight against climate chain. Specifically for emissions related to transportation and distribution, the task is even more complex, as there are no scalable technologies or short-term “carbon neutral” fuel alternatives widely available that eliminate impact.
To address these challenges, Braskem began to discuss the compensation of scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions (categories 4 and 9) with its customers and suppliers, based on the acquisition of carbon credits from high quality projects certified in the international voluntary market. To this end, Braskem implemented in a Carbon Trading Desk in early 2022, which will support commercial teams globally in offering solutions to offset emissions in the transport of products to customers.
“As a pioneer in the use of sustainable resources, Braskem has one goal above all – to show that transformation is possible,” said Marco Jansen, business director of biopolymers and sustainability EMEA. “I’m green is more than a competitive differentiation tool, it’s about producing a responsible product for society.”
Sustainably sourced
The production of biopolymers from sugar cane at Braskem is environmentally friendly and resource-conserving. Suppliers are compliant with Braskem’s responsible sourcing programme, which establishes the operational standards expected from suppliers in their management of human resources, the environment, local communities, quality and efficiency. Cultivation areas are also located far away from the sensitive territories along the Amazon and thus do not pose a threat to the rainforest.
In addition, the sugar cane growers ensure maximum compliance with environmental and social standards so that as little residual material as possible remains – all crop residues are recycled as far as possible.
Braskem has been producing I’m green biopolymers in Brazil since 2010 as a drop in solution for producers. The sustainably sourced polymers have now established themselves as an environmentally friendly alternative to regular plastics on a wide scale.
