As part of its many efforts to promote the transformation from a Linear Economy, which is based solely on production, to a Circular Economy , which adopts a cyclical view of production and disposal, Braskem is sponsoring recycling at São Paulo Fashion Week N47, the leading fashion event in Brazil and Latin America, for the second year in a row. The action demonstrates the importance of post-consumer recycling and of facilitating the use of plastic waste in new applications. 

Ana Laura Sivieri, Braskem's Global Corporate Marketing Manager, explains that the company undertook, in 2018, a public commitment to promote the Circular Economy, in which it planned a series of actions targeting its value chain and the general public to raise awareness on sustainable production, consumption and disposal cycles. "Our activities incorporate a very strong human component and, as a B2B company, we always strive to maintain close relationships with our clients and suppliers. We believe that building strong relationships is very important, especially if we want to help promote new and more sustainable post-consumer habits. The recycling action we are carrying out at SPFW spotlights our responsibility and efforts in this cause," she explained.  

A sponsor of SPFW since 2016, Braskem has promoted recycling at the event since edition N46, when it collected some 50 cubic meters of recyclable waste, including disposable cups, caps, aluminum cans, paperboard and paper. Last year, the action collected the equivalent of 25,000 two-liter PET bottles. 

In that year's edition, Braskem also launched its Fashion Challenge. The challenge was conducted in partnership with the designer label PatBo , in a partnership that should be repeated in this year in an action in October. The program challenged design students from the schools Belas Artes, FAAP, SENAC, Anhembi Morumbi and IED to create new fashion pieces using polypropylene-based fabric, under the orientation of Patricia Bonaldi. The winning item was showcased in the fashion show, while the other items were exhibited at Braskem's space at the event.

The waste collected at SPFW was sent to partner recycling cooperatives, which after processing was sent to other partners in the converter chain for the production of post-consumer resins, which, among other applications, can be used to make new fabrics. The action is part of Wecycle, a platform launched by Braskem in 2015 to support businesses and initiatives that extract value from plastic waste through partnerships, which helps to incorporate greater reliability and quality into the development of products, solutions and processes that engage all links of the plastics recycling chain.

To promote the Circular Economy and the value of post-consumer waste to the public accompanying SPFW, Braskem also will sponsor content from Lilian Pacce, a Brazilian journalist, writer and fashion consultant. Upon invitation by the company, the opinion maker will cover noteworthy events at SPFW on Wednesday (24). The goal is for Lilian to promote on social media the debate on recycling promoted by Braskem at the event.  

 "We believe that actions such as the ones we sponsor at SPFW connect various important points, such as promoting the value of plastics as a material with versatile, myriad and sustainable applications in the textile industry, and the importance of new materials and technologies in our drive for more sustainable products," said Ana Laura. 

To learn about "Braskem's Positioning for the Circular Economy," go to: www.braskem.com/circulareconomy .