Braskem remains focused on waste disposal and making the circular economy a reality

On World Recycling Day, the company reaffirms its goal of selling 1 million tons of products with recycled content and recovering 1.5 million tons of plastic waste

Braskem celebrates the World Recycling Day on May 17, focused on its commitment to the circular economy and eliminating plastic waste. The company uses the date to reconfirm its goal of selling 1 million tons of products with recycled content by 2030. Another important target emphasized on this date is to recover 1.5 million tons of plastic waste through investment in different types of recycling.

The company is active in over ten global initiatives that, through partnerships and sponsorships, stimulate the circular economy. There were over 630,000 participants in the campaigns in 2022 and 2023, which totaled over 670 tons of recovered plastic waste and R$30 million in investments. And in order to reach this commitment of eliminating plastic waste, the company has intensified collection projects and worked on increasing society's engagement through projects such as Ser+, Plastitroque, SO+MA and, outside Brazil, the Eagles and Plastianguis.

"Braskem is focused on the recovery of plastic waste to enhance recycling. This target has been intensified with internal cultural initiatives, work in communities and improvements in production. This is all in order to ensure that waste is increasingly treated and reintegrated into society in a sustainable way, becoming brand-new products," asserts Fabiana Quiroga, the director of Circular Economy at Braskem in South America.

Chemical recycling

In its quest to improve understandings of alternative raw materials and chemical recycling, Braskem will also hold an online event on the 17th featuring a series of lectures. The chemical recycling workshop will feature renowned professionals, such as Professor José Carlos Pinto, head of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), and Maurício Jaroski, executive director of Circular Economy at MaxiQuim. Participants will be given the opportunity to explore issues related to alternative feedstocks originating from waste and renewable materials, as well as the global scenario of chemical recycling and the future of alternative raw materials.

Braskem will also present solutions and investments in alternative raw materials, spotlighting its commitment to sustainable innovation. And there will be repercussions from global and local partnerships geared towards promoting the circular economy and expanding the company's investments in mechanical and chemical recycling. "We are committed to paving the way for a better, more sustainable and circular future. Plastic recycling plays a key role in this process and the results that have been achieved so far encourage us to continue moving forward on this journey," Fabiana added.

Strategic acquisition

In 2023, Braskem completed the acquisition of Wise Plásticos S.A. (Wise), a Brazilian company specialized in the mechanical recycling of plastics, which has the capacity to produce
 approximately 25,000 tons of PCR annually. The brand acquired 61.1% of the capital stock of Wise, aiming to strengthen its presence in the circular economy and enhance the results in the recycling journey. And part of the disbursement made by Braskem will be allocated to expanding Wise's production capacity over the next few years.