Brakem’s Influence in the petrochemical industry in South America is demonstrated by its control on the largest petrochemical complexes in Brazil: in Camaçari, Mauá and Triunfo. Another gas complex in Duque de Caxias is also controlled by Braskem. These petrochemical units supply Brakem’s requirements for ethylene and propylene needed in its polymer units. Braskem also produces benzene, butadiene, isoprene, toluene and xylene. These products are sold to other chemical companies.
Naphtha is Braskem’s primary feedstock, although in September 2010, the company launched the Green Ethylene plant. The green ethylene plant is Braskem’s strategy to maintain its position in global economy in pursuing sustainable chemicals. This plant is the largest industrial-scale green ethylene plant in the world that produces ethylene out of 100% renewable materials. This plant has the capacity to produce 200,000 tons of green ethylene, convertible the equivalent volume of green plastic.
With a capacity of 5.7 million tons of resins per year, Braskem is the primary producer of polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC in Brazil. Braskem is also the leading supplier of polypropylene to the US, with 1.5 million tons of polypropylene.
In Mexico, Braskem operates an integrated petrochemical complex which uses ethane as feedstock. Its three polyethylene plants combine for 1.05 million tons of polyethylene production per year. This Mexican lant was birthed through a joint venture that Braskem forged with Idesa. This partnership will improve Braskem’s competitiveness because the project increases the company’s share of gas used in the feedstock.
Braskem was established in 2002 following the consolidation of six companies.