Braskem is launching a differentiated solution in polyethylene of high density, focusing at this moment on the European market, to where the product is already being exported. Developed by the Technology and Innovation Center, this new product, called Idealis®, is a high molecular weight polyethylene in powder that presents differentiated and optimized properties for the process of hot pressing. The new resin is designated for applications that have as final users the food industry, like basis for products cutting, and the car industry, as support for operations of pre-assembling, for instance.

The development of Idealis®, is the result of the strategic priority that Braskem has given to the innovation and technology area, in order to improve the competitiveness of its customers and add value for its shareholders. "The good acceptance of the product by the demanding and competitive European market reflects the permanent effort of the company to keep its technological autonomy, essential condition for a differentiated performance in a globalized and more competitive market", states Luiz de Mendonça, vice-president responsible by the Polyolefin Unit of Braskem.

Before Idealis®, the European market was attended only by grades adapted from the blowing and tubes segment that didn"t respond to all the elements required by the transformers. "The new resin presents a smaller particle size, superior color, differentiated physics properties, besides fluidity rate and optimized distribution of molecular weight, what results in a much better processability", explains Walmir Soller, UTEC® Business Manager.

Idealis® was developed in a short period of time and this was possible due to the accumulated competence of Braskem in the technology and innovation area. "After identifying the opportunity and understanding the customer"s needs, we developed in only six months an innovative product that responds integrally to the specifications of the market", tells Soller.

Presenting a market potential estimated in US$ 50 million/year, the new resin will be commercialized initially within the European market, with high potential of acceptance in other markets, like Asia, for instance, which is a great consumer of this product.

Besides enhancing the special resin segment of the company, the launching of Idealis®, totally directed for exportations, will contribute to improve the Brazilian commercial balance result. It follows the history of the plastic for engineering known worldwide by UTEC® - ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, produced in Latin America exclusively by Braskem that developed its own technology being the second largest producer of this product in the world.

Due to its high resistance, UTEC® - can be used in several applications and it is the raw material for the production of proteases, bullet proof jackets, and car batteries separators among many others.

The Technology and Innovation Center of Braskem located in Triunfo/RS, the main site for research activities, is the most complete and well equipped research and development complex of the petrochemical industry in Latin America. With technological assets estimated in more than R$ 320 million, distributed in seven pilot-plants and 11 laboratories, the center has a highly qualified and specialized team, composed by more than 170 technicians and researchers, prepared to offer all the support to the customers in the development of processes, products and applications, besides new markets and new businesses.