Sustainability is a constantly evolving topic at Braskem, the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas. In this search, the polyethylene unit (PE 7), located in Santo André, at the Grande ABC Petrochemical Complex, has implemented a project to build a closed circuit for water reuse and effluent disposal. The plant, which already used water from Aquapolo, an enterprise engaged in the production of industrial reuse water, began disposing of its effluents directly in the receiving body of SEMASA (Water and Sewage Treatment Service of Santo André).
 
Like most of Braskem's units, PE 7 produces two types of effluents: industrial, from its production processes; and domestic, which includes the effluents of restrooms, dressing rooms and kitchen existing in the plant. With the proximity of the SEMASA network, it was possible to install a pipeline that directs both types of effluents directly to the sewage network, which returns to the petrochemical production network after treatment at Aquapolo, the result of a partnership between Braskem, BRK Ambiental, and SABESP (Companhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo).
 
Marcelo Forlenza, industrial manager of PE 7, explains that the project aimed to eliminate the discharge of effluents treated in the Tamanduateí River. "With the project, we turned the EP 7 circuit into a fully closed system, using reuse water and returning the effluent for further treatment at Aquapolo through the SEMASA network."
 
To make the figures more palpable, in the period 2014-2016, the three Braskem units located at the Grande ABC Petrochemical Complex reused 25 million cubic meters of water through Aquapolo. The implementation of the project was made possible by petrochemicals, which consumes 65% of its capacity, but also serves other companies, such as Paranapanema, Bridgestone, and Arconic. The initiative has released the consumption of drinking water for the population of the Grande ABC region in a volume equivalent to 10,000 Olympic swimming pools.
 
Committed to maintaining the high level of water management in its units, Braskem has contributed in the period from 2002 - year of its creation - to 2016 with approximately R$280 million in projects to improve water efficiency in all its Brazilian units. The return of these investments generated a record result for the Company, with an index of 1.11 cubic meters per metric ton in the generation of liquid effluents, which represents an accumulated improvement of 41% since 2002, in addition to a saving of R$115 million from the treatment of effluents.

About Braskem
Braskem is the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, with an annual output of over 20 million metric tons, including the production of other basic chemical and petrochemical products, with an annual revenue of R$54 billion. With the aim of improving the lives of people, creating sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics, Braskem is present in over 70 countries, with roughly 8,000 members, and operates 41 industrial units located in Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Mexico - the latter in partnership with the Mexico-based company Idesa.