About Braskem

Braskem is a global petrochemical company and leading global producer of bio-based plastics. We produce a diverse portfolio of petrochemicals and (bio-based) plastic resins. Our products are used to manufacture a wide range of items that people use in their daily lives, like food packaging, home furniture, industrial and automobile components, paints and coatings, and more.

Braskem supports technology and innovation to achieve sustainable development. Our purpose is to make people’s lives better by creating sustainable solutions through chemicals and plastics, and our strategic vision is to become the world leader in sustainable chemistry.

The production process of plastic starts with the extraction of raw materials, such as naphtha, natural gas or (bio-)ethanol. They are derived from oil, gas or in the case of bio-ethanol; sugarcane. From this, first-generation producers make basic petrochemicals, such as ethylene and propylene. These compounds are essential to the second generation, which involves the production of thermoplastic resins (PE, PP and PVC). These are used by third-generation producers, i.e. plastic converters.

We are an integrated first- an second-generation petrochemical producer of thermoplastic resins. We produce basic petrochemicals, such as ethylene, propylene, butadiene and chlorine, as well as a diverse portfolio of thermoplastic resins, including polyethylene (PE), bio-based polyethylene and EVA (biopolymers), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Braskem’s bio-based plastics are produced from sugarcane in Brazil. At the plantations, sugarcane is harvested and processed to produce sugar and bio-ethanol. This is later dehydrated and broken down into ethylene and water. The ethylene is then polymerized into plastic resins within our plants. Up to now, we have been producing different types of polyethylene and EVA.

For more information, visit our global website or ask your questions directly to questions@braskem.com .