Braskem Presents New Grades for the Home Appliance Segment
Braskem, a global petrochemical company that develops sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics to improve people's lives, is introducing its new portfolio of post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins tailored to the home appliance sector. The exclusive portfolio, marketed under the Wenew brand, includes six grades of recycled polypropylene designed for specific applications in refrigeration, laundry, small appliances, and audio equipment. These resins offer high precision in safety and durability.
This initiative began in 2020 and has already resulted in the recovery of over 10,000 tons of waste-the equivalent of more than 130 million packages. "Through the Wenew brand, we aim to further promote the circular economy within the chemical and plastic production chain. The use of recycled resins from this line has also enabled the reduction of 6,375 tons of CO²e emissions," says Pier Pesce, Business Development Manager for Circular Economy at Braskem in South America.
Today, many companies in the home appliance industry are turning to post-consumer recycled resin solutions to streamline production and meet their sustainability targets. According to the Post-Consumer Plastic Mechanical Recycling Index in Brazil-promoted by Movimento Plástico Transforma and conducted by MaxiQuim-the sale of PCR to the electronics and home appliance sectors increased by 19%, reaching 37,000 tons in 2023. Mondial is one example of a company that has adopted PCR resins. "The new portfolio has a significant positive impact on the market as a whole. I believe the positioning of companies and industries toward sustainable development will only grow stronger," says Pesce.
Advancing Sustainability
Mondial began incorporating Wenew PCR resins in 2022 to make its products more sustainable, reduce its CO² footprint, and optimize production. Following positive results, the company expanded its use of the resins and recently applied one of the new grades in its speaker boxes. "Our partnership with Braskem has been key in advancing the sustainability of our products. The new resin delivered technical performance and durability improvements that enhanced the quality of our speaker boxes," says Jacques Ivo Krause from Mondial.
It is estimated that the resin used by the company reduces the carbon footprint by more than 20% compared to fossil-based resins. This achievement was made possible thanks to Braskem's commitment to rigorous testing and hands-on customer support throughout the application process. "Braskem provides technical support during the entire qualification and customization process, working closely with clients to ensure successful implementation and product quality," Pesce emphasizes.
The launch of Braskem's PCR resin portfolio for the home appliance sector aligns fully with the company's sustainable development goals. Eliminating plastic waste is one of Braskem's commitments. The company champions waste recovery through mechanical and chemical recycling as a practical way to advance the circular economy and prevent improper disposal of materials in the environment. In line with this vision, Braskem aims to grow its sales of recycled-content products to 1 million tons by 2030.
About Braskem
Braskem is a global, human-oriented petrochemical company with a forward-looking approach. It cultivates strong relationships and generates value for all stakeholders. Offering sustainable chemical and plastic solutions to improve people's lives, Braskem provides a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for various industries, including food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health, and hygiene. The company believes that disruptive innovation is essential for redefining our relationship with the planet. Accordingly, it acts in the present to promote plastic circularity and advance the revolution of bio-based materials. With 40 industrial units across Brazil, the U.S., Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports to over 71 countries and employs 8,500 team members globally, operating under a management model committed to ethics, compliance, and responsible competitiveness.
More information: https://www.braskem.com.br/
