Braskem's I'm GreenT green plastic is the first product in the Brazilian petrochemical industry to receive the carbon footprint certification, an initiative founded at the CTPIn (Technical Committee on the Industry Plan), by the Ministry of Industry and Trade Development (MDIC), which defines and guides actions to implement the National Policy on Climate Change in priority sectors.

According to the measurement, conducted by Carbon Trust and the ABNT (Brazilian Technical Standards Association), polyethylene from renewable sources has a negative emission footprint (-2.11 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram of product), i.e., it helps sequester the polluting gas from the atmosphere. The company participated voluntarily in the certification in order to collaborate with information transparency in its relationship with customers and encourage the use of this practice.

According to Jorge Soto, Sustainable Development Director at Braskem, the initiative allows the society to make choices more consciously considering the impacts of their consumption patterns on climate change. "Consumer engagement aimed at the low-carbon economy is crucial. To achieve that, it is very important to give them reliable information so that they can make a pro-sustainability decision. Therefore, we understand that a government-approved seal, in association with other internationally acknowledged institutions, may be an appropriate tool," he said. "Furthermore, it is a way to encourage the development of lower-carbon products."

The launch of the new ABNT System for Measurement and Certification of the Carbon and Water Footprint of Products took place on Wednesday afternoon (April 6), in São Paulo, and featured the presentation of case studies of participating companies, including Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in the Americas and the world leader in the production of biopolymers.

Braskem has a strong strategy on climate change and has reduced its GHG emissions in operations, year by year, as well as evolving in the engagement of the chain, suppliers and customers, and the development of products with a lower carbon footprint. The project, thus, provides an opportunity to demonstrate these results and turn them into a competitive advantage for its products.

By certifying the Green Plastic, the company operates according to business demand, which requests more and more information on greenhouse gas emissions and the product life cycle analysis. "Because we work in a global market, the seal should strengthen the credibility of the Brazilian industry with respect to environmental impact, creating new business opportunities for domestic products that have this competitive advantage," said Alexandre Elias, Director of Renewable Chemicals of Braskem.

Solutions with a renewable source

The contribution to the launch of the ABNT System for the Measurement and Certification of the Carbon Footprint and the MDIC initiatives are in line with the sustainable development strategy of Braskem, which sees chemicals from renewable sources a business opportunity, creating low-impact inputs for products.

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used plastic in the world, and the I'm GreenT, presented in 2010 to the market, is a more sustainable alternative, being made from the sugarcane ethanol, i.e., its source is 100% renewable. Currently, the company has an annual capacity for 200,000 metric tons of green polyethylene per year.

About Braskem

Braskem is the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, with an annual output of over 20 million metric tons, including production of other basic chemicals and petrochemicals, with R$54 billion in annual revenue. With the aim of improving the lives of people, creating sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics, Braskem is present in over 70 countries, with 8,000 members, and operates 40 industrial units located in Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Mexico - the latter in partnership with the Mexico-based company Idesa.

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For more information, please contact:

CDN Comunicação

Priscila Ventura - +55 11 3643-2744 - priscila.ventura@cdn.com.br

Ana Beatriz Paschoal - +55 11 3643-2737 - anabeatriz.paschoal@cdn.com.br

Priscila Nishimori - +55 11 3643-2802 - priscila.nishimori@cdn.com.br