According to an agreement reached with Petrobras, Braskem has begun to receive propylene from Replan, in Paulínia, in the state of São Paulo. About 260 thousand tons will be delivered annually through the pipeline that connects the two units. The Braskem plant in Paulínia has the capacity to produce 350 thousand tons of polypropylene per year.

"The pipeline is important for greater efficiency in logistics and product quality. Final cost also becomes more advantageous due to the lack of coastwise or highway shipping," says Fábio Schettini, Supply-Chain Manager at Braskem.

The Replan pipeline supply will be complemented by Revap truck supply from São José dos Campos. The latter had already been a propylene supplier for the Paulínia unit.

"With the pipeline supply of propylene and the continued supply by highway transportation, Braskem’s Paulínia unit will reach full production capacity in 2009. This partnership is a long-term contract between the companies, and besides adding value to the entire petrochemical production chain, it brings Braskem much closer to the largest consumer market for plastic," adds Schettini.