Bio-polyolefins leader Braskem has announced a project to evaluate an investment in producing carbon negative bio-based polypropylene (PP) in the U.S. The project would utilize Braskem’s proven, proprietary technology to convert bioethanol into physically segregated bio-based polypropylene. Braskem is exploring partnership opportunities for this project with several clients, brand owners, and suppliers.
MLT Analytics just-released in-depth report — Global Bio-based Polyolefin Report—2023 Edition; Market penetration for a sustainable future (2019–2032) — already predicted bio-based PP to grow fastest among all bio-polyolefin types, albeit predicting growth in North America might be supply-constrained. If this Braskem project goes ahead, there will be even more upside to bio-PP market growth.
Mark Nikolich, Braskem America CEO, commented, “Building on our core technology and market leadership, we are actively evaluating a project to produce the world's first bio-based polypropylene on an industrial scale to support our ambitious sustainability objectives and deliver tangible solutions to our clients. As an established leader in the innovation and production of bio-based materials, we have seen the demand for Braskem’s bio-based materials grow significantly since our initial product launches. This new U.S.-based project would not only serve a growing market for sustainable solutions but also reduce Braskem’s reliance on fossil feedstock. Expanding our portfolio to include bio-based PP supports Braskem’s goal of 1 million tonnes of biopolymers capacity by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.”
The U.S. is home to the largest ethanol industry production in the world and consists of ample technology, infrastructure, and supply availability for a project in the polymers’ value chain. Braskem’s bio-based PP would be a drop-in solution that has the same technical properties and recyclability found today in Braskem’s current PP portfolio, with the additional benefit of a negative carbon footprint. As the largest PP producer in the Americas and utilizing its proven technology at an industrial scale, Braskem’s bio-based PP would be a first-of-its-kind solution to address brand owners’ and OEMs’ transition to a more sustainable future.
Image: Braskem