Braskem, SCGC tie up on bio-based PE plant in Thailand

: Petrochemicals
23/08/17

Brazilian and Thai petrochemical producers Braskem and SCG Chemicals (SCGC) have signed a joint venture agreement to build a bio-based polyethylene (PE) facility in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.

The Thai facility will have a production capacity of 200,000 t/yr of Braskem's patented "I'm green" bio-based PE. The new plant will approximately double the firm's capacity of bio-based PE globally, said Braskem on 16 August. Timelines on the development of the plant were not disclosed.

The facility, under the name Braskem Siam, will produce bio-based PE by using bio-ethanol sourced from sugarcane as feedstock. The bio-ethanol will undergo a dehydration process to produce bio-ethylene. The firms claim that this is a less carbon-intensive method of producing PE than using naphtha derived from crude oil.

The technology for this process was developed by Braskem and American circular solutions provider, Lummus Technology.

The decision to establish the plant in Thailand was made to meet the growing demand of biopolymers globally and access Asian markets that are increasingly looking towards sustainable products, according to the firms. "This partnership with SCGC is aligned with our commitment to produce 1 million tonnes of green products by 2030, replacing fossil with renewable feedstock, and contributing to lowering the carbon footprint of our industry," said Braskem's chief executive officer Roberto Bischoff.

By Akash Ravinran

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