Braskem (B3: BRKM3, BRKM5 and BRKM6;NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK), the largestpolyolefins producer in the Americas andleading producer of biopolymers in theworld, today announces its collaborationwith Encina Development Group (“Encina”),a leading provider of solutions to producerenewable chemicals, to develop a long-termrelationship enabling the production ofcircular, recycled polypropylene (PP).
Encina’s technology is able to producerenewable chemicals made from post-consumer plastic and the company istargeting to break ground on a new facility in the second half of 2021. Once completed, the facilityis targeted to process 175,000 tons of plastic waste, converting it into more than 90,000 tons ofrecycled chemicals per year. The plant will be designed to expand to 350,000 tons of incomingplastic waste in future phases. Encina’s new facility will leverage its proprietary technology thateconomically extracts chemicals from plastic through catalytic pyrolysis. The process utilizesmixed plastics from post-consumer sources, which are currently costly to recycle and oftendestined for landfills.
As part of the collaboration, Braskem will work closely with Encina to develop the necessarylogistics, product quality and certifications for a recycled propylene feedstock that Braskem willuse in the production of recycled PP materials in applications such as food packaging, consumerand hygiene products. The parties announce today their intent to develop a formal supplyagreement prior to the project’s financing approval in 2021.
Mark Nikolich, Braskem America CEO, states, “Encina’s technology and this important project willdivert thousands of tons of hard-to-recycle plastic from landfills. As the North American leader inpolypropylene, Braskem is actively looking to purchase sustainable propylene feedstock that willallow us to increase both recycled and renewable-sourced products in our portfolio – as stated inour new Circular Economy commitments. This agreement is an important step in our next phase ofgrowth as a company, aimed at realizing our vision of a carbon neutral circular economy andhelping our clients meet their aggressive recycled content goals in the years to come.”
“We are very pleased to be working towards implementing our circular solution that directlyaddresses the global challenges of plastic waste we all see,” said David Schwedel, ExecutiveDirector, Encina. “Braskem is a market leader and deeply committed to sustainability, and we arethrilled to be working with their sustainability team to make a significant change in the end-of-lifefor plastics.”
Braskem is strongly committed to a world where nothing is wasted and everything is transformed.Recently, Braskem announced its new commitment to a Carbon Neutral Circular Economy, withclearly stated targets for growing their
I’m green™ recycled products portfolio to sales of 300,000tons by 2025 and 1 million tons by 2030. Also, earlier this year Braskem became a foundingmember and funding partner of the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, an initiative of TheRecycling Partnership with a focus on increasing U.S. curbside recycling access for polypropyleneand ensuring PP is widely recovered and reused. Braskem is also a founding member of theAlliance to End Plastic Waste.
To learn more about Braskem’s commitment to a carbon neutral circular economy visit:
https://www.braskem.com/usa/news-detail/braskem-affirms-commitment-to-circular-economy-and-to-achieve-carbon-neutrality-by-2050.
About Encina
Encina Development Group implements solutions to produce renewable chemicals from wasteplastics in the circular economy. Encina’s advanced and proprietary technology converts mixedplastic wastes into a traceable, renewable source of industrial base chemicals and fuels. Thecompany is committed to resolving one of today and tomorrow’s greatest environmentalchallenges. For more information please visit:
www.encina.com.
.