Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in the Americas and the world's leading biopolymer producer, continues to seek more innovative and sustainable solutions that use plastics to leverage the Circular Economy in the value chain. One of the latest developments is a polypropylene (PP) microfiber made from disposable cups with applications in the textile industry. 

To confirm the technical and economic feasibility of this renewable production process on an industrial scale, Braskem has partnered with textile companies such as Profil , the company responsible for producing the yarns and a Braskem client, and EcoSimple . The company also signed a partnership with the brand PatBO to use the yarns and fabric made from the recycled-content PP microfiber to create beachwear apparel that will be showcased in edition N48 of São Paulo Fashion Week , Brazil's leading fashion event. "The partnerships have been essential for advancing the development of solutions that can strengthen the Circular Economy in our value chain. Polypropylene, which already is a lower-cost alternative that can meet the growing demand from the textile industry, offers even more advantages for the industry if produced from recycled materials," explained André Giglio, a specialist in Polypropylene Market Development at Braskem.   

The research conducted by Braskem's Recycling team has enabled the development of a solution that maintains the same properties as fabric made from virgin PP, such as lightweight, resistance to wrinkles and pilling, increased durability, fast drying, dispersion of transpiration, washing ease and ecological dying (the dye is applied in the yarning process, which saves water). 

The evolution in the polypropylene's formulation and Braskem's efforts to engage the textile industry in even more sustainable production methods are further reinforced by Lifecycle Assessments (LCA) , environmental impact indicators calculated by the company to ensure that the new solutions are actually sustainable. LCAs take into consideration all phases of the production process, from the extraction of raw materials to delivery of the yarn for weaving, as well as factors such as global warming and the consumption of water and resources, with data quantified in accordance with the standard ISO 14044. In the case of PP made from recycled material, the environmental impact indicator is 45% lower than other alternatives used in synthetic fabrics. 

"Sustainability is a constant in our processes and we have made consistent progress in developing solutions that minimize environmental impacts throughout the value chain. The expansion of our sustainable products portfolio is a consequence of the commitments we have made to the Circular Economy, which include investing in technology and innovation and working together with our partners, clients, suppliers and society," said Ana Laura Sivieri, Marketing & Communications Director at Braskem.  

The fabrics made from recycled-content polypropylene microfiber also are recyclable, which means that, at the end of their useful life, if properly disposed of, they can be transformed into new fabrics or other products. In addition to its use in the production of microfibers, Braskem's recycled-content PP also has applications in caps and closures for cosmetics and home care products, in the automotive and furniture industries and in home appliances and bicycles.

About PatBo
The Brazilian label created by designer Patricia Bonaldi is famous for its level of attention to each piece and manual labor. Created in 2012, this more casual and fashionista label showcases the designer's creativity in looks that range from beachwear to ready-to-wear. The label is currently available in 100 stores in Brazil and 50 stores internationally.