Braskem has concluded a capacity expansion project at its PVC plant, located in the chlorine chemical complex in Alagoas state, an increase of 50,000 tons a year, or equivalent to 25% of its current capacity. Total investment was around R$ 95 million. The expansion project was completed on schedule and within its estimated budget, showing the company´s ability to implement its projects in accordance with a prescribed timetable, a fundamental requirement in a capital-intensive sector such as petrochemicals.

The investment reflects Braskem´s confidence in the PVC market. "We believe there will be a positive development in demand for PVC in Brazil, which should be given a great boost with the upturn in the civil construction and public water sectors," said Roberto Simões, vice-president of Braskem´s Vinyls Business Unit.

In terms of the expansion, Simões highlighted the fact that the application of Braskem´s own technology had had a positive impact on the competitiveness of the investment made in the project. The technology employed in the resin polymerizing process, through the utilization of reflow condensers, helped the company win the FINEP Innovation and Technology Price in 2001. "This development reaffirms technological independence as one of Braskem´s strategic focus points and shows its commitment to improving the competitiveness of the petrochemicals and plastics chain in Brazil," he added.

With such capacity expansion, Braskem boosts its leadership position in the PVC market, where it holds a 59% market share, and raises its total annual production capacity of PVC to 515,000 tons. "To develop this market even further, the  company is reinforcing its strategy of creating other PVC resins for new applications, aimed at increasing its competitiveness," Simões concluded.