Braskem, the second largest producer in the world of UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), and Rossetti Equipamentos Rodoviários, one of the main bucket manufacturers in the domestic market, signed a partnership to offer the Brazilian market an innovative technology in linings for dump truck buckets. It is QuickSilver technology, by the North American company, Quadrant, the main player in the global UHMWPE market. This technology makes it possible to line a truck with a single sheet of UTEC®, Braskem’s UHMWPE commercial brand, doing away with the need for splicing and expanding the liner’s smooth surface. This permits taking better advantage of its anti-stick properties. 

Carlos Lollato, UTEC® global business manager at Braskem, explains that with the partnership between these two important players, UTEC®’s already renowned qualities abroad have gained more strength to establish a foothold in the domestic market. "Besides reinforcing our commitment with technology and innovation, this initiative promotes the strengthening of national industry’s technological park. Access to cutting edge technology is thus facilitated," underscores Lollato.
 
This novelty is geared towards those sectors of the economy that transport large bulk volumes. It is a perfect match for agribusiness, mining and civil construction applications. Allan Cury, responsible for developing UTEC® in the Latin American market, explains that the advantages obtained from the lining make all the difference for these sectors, because it speeds up unloading and increases productivity. Another advantage is that the solution provides for safer operations because it practically eliminates the risk of the vehicle tipping over, and it reduces fuel consumption since it transports less dead weight (product leftovers). The material also increases the bucket’s useful life, reduces tire wear and makes additional equipment for removing residue unnecessary.

With the partnership, Rossetti becomes the first national manufacturer to offer lined buckets directly to the factories. This is another advantage for consumers since they can now include the lining in government financing processes for equipment and implements. Daniel Rossetti, the company’s marketing manager, underscores that production is barely underway and positive results can already be seen. "We estimate that at least 30% of our sales will already leave the factory with this lining, which has been very well accepted by the market," he says. Among the advantages, Rossetti point to easier load flow, longer useful life of the bucket, increased productivity and cost reductions.

For Braskem, the partnership with Rossetti was fundamental. "UTEC® has a series of economically feasible applications in the Brazilian market, however they are unknown to domestic industry, and the lining for trucks was an important showcase for us to demonstrate this. With this agreement, we hope to develop this market and increase UTEC® consumption by 20% in country," concludes Lollato.


Braskem technology in the global market

UTEC® is an engineering plastic with high added value developed by Braskem’s Technology and Innovation Center. The material can even substitute steel in certain applications with its excellent anti-stick properties and resistance to strong impacts. Besides protecting dump truck buckets, UTEC® is also used with advantages in sea defense, fiber for bullet-proof protection, winter sports equipment, cutting plates and conveyor belts. At the end of 2006, Braskem invested nearly R$ 6 million to open a UTEC® technological development unit at the Camaçari Complex in Bahia, This center has 900 m2 in area, seven state-of-the-art laboratories and a pilot plant.