São Paulo, September 15, 2016 - The increased efficiency in the manufacturing process can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the industry, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of end products. Following its investments of R$7.1 million, made between 2013 and 2015, in its green ethylene plant in Triunfo (RS), Braskem, the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, was able to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the production of Green Plastic.

Braskem has automated processes, deployed devices to reduce losses, improved the ethanol vaporization process, and reduced fuel consumption by the generator. In addition, it is developing an aqueous effluent reuse system for a better use of water resources.

"This is a long-term, continuous work, which is in line with our commitment to sustainable development. Therefore, Braskem keeps focusing on operational efficiency for process and competitiveness gains while generating less impact on nature in all generations of the plastics chain," said Gustavo Sergi, Director of Renewable Chemicals of Braskem.

Braskem's concern with environmental impacts requires a continual review and improvement of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. Therefore, the modeling of the Green Plastic LCA has also been improved, achieving a capture of 2.78 metric tons of CO2 for each metric ton of resin produced from renewable sources. This figure represents an increase in carbon capture over the previous measurement. The study was conducted by the consulting firm ACV Brasil, with technical review by a panel of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research GmbH (IFEU) and the Michigan State University.

Green Plastic already has a negative carbon footprint certification issued by ABNT, in a joint initiative with the Ministry of Development of Industry and Trade (MDIC), which is responsible for implementing the National Policy on Climate Change in priority industrial sectors. This index is also related to the model used by the Brazilian sugarcane industry, the planting of sugarcane is usually carried out in degraded pasture areas, thus contributing to soil recovery. Furthermore, ethanol production units use bagasse for energy cogeneration, making the process self-sufficient and enabling the exports of surplus electricity to the National Integrated System.

With the corporate commitment to a low-carbon economy in Brazil and the world, Braskem has applied continual efforts for diversification of renewable raw materials to achieve a progressive reduction in emission levels. Therefore, in recent years, it has adhered to initiatives aimed at the low-carbon economy, such as the signing of the Open Charter of the Climate Forum, coordinated by the Ethos Institute, and participation in the CPLC (Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition) of the World Bank.

Products made with Braskem's Green Plastic can be recognized by the I'm GreenT label.

What is LCA?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a technique for assessing environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, comprising the steps ranging from removal of raw materials from nature that enter the production system to the end product. This analysis allows Braskem to have a greater understanding of the environmental impact of its products throughout their life cycle. Since 2005, the company has used the LCA methodology and today has 58 studies in its pipeline.

About Braskem

Braskem is the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, with an annual output of over 20 million metric tons, including production of other basic chemicals and petrochemicals, with R$54 billion in annual revenue. With the aim of improving the lives of people, creating sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics, Braskem is present in over 70 countries, with 8,000 members, and operates 40 industrial units located in Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Mexico - the latter in partnership with the Mexico-based company Idesa.

Braskem on social media

www.facebook.com/BraskemSA

www.linkedin.com/company/braskem

www.twitter.com/BraskemSA

For more information, please contact:

CDN Comunicação

Priscila Ventura - +55 11 3643-2744 - priscila.ventura@cdn.com.br

Ana Beatriz Paschoal - +55 11 3643-2737 - anabeatriz.paschoal@cdn.com.br

Priscila Nishimori - +55 11 3643-2802 - priscila.nishimori@cdn.com.br