A project to modernize the electricity system will result in greater efficiency in production and improvements to Braskem's sustainability indicators at the ABC Petrochemical Complex, in São Paulo. The project, whose total investment is estimated at R$600 million, provides for the technological update of the system that serves the cracker, the main industrial unit of the Petrochemical Complex, responsible for the production of raw materials for the chemical and plastic sectors.

The modernization of the unit provides for the exchange of steam-based turbines with high-efficiency electric motors, supported by a new cogeneration plant fueled by residual gas from the petrochemical production process. This structural change will allow greater energy efficiency for the production process of the industrial unit. With this modernization, Braskem estimates a reduction of energy consumption equivalent to that of a city with one million inhabitants.

"This project is an example of the great efforts employed by Braskem in the search for greater operational excellence, in addition to reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development," said Luís Pazin, Chief Industrial Officer of the Braskem Chemicals unit in the Southeast region. "With the combined cogeneration of electricity and gas, we will consume less energy and emit even fewer greenhouse gases," he added. The estimate is for an 11.4% reduction in the unit's water consumption and a 6.3% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

The investment will begin this year, with completion scheduled for 2021. The funds will be provided by Braskem in partnership with Siemens , which will build and operate the high-efficiency cogeneration system through a long-term contract. "This agreement is a clear demonstration that Braskem has been searching for creative business models to improve its competitiveness," said Gustavo Checcucci, Chief Energy Officer at Braskem.

For Siemens, this project will be a benchmark in the industrial market, with the implementation and operation, for 15 years, of an electric and steam cogeneration plant with state-of-the-art technology solutions, combining high energy efficiency and extreme operational reliability, with low emissions, as well as the characteristic of being an investment by the company itself.

"Braskem's confidence in defining Siemens as a strategic partner for this challenging project is a result of our technological and operational capability, which coupled with the attractiveness of the innovative BOO (Build, Own and Operate) model, ensures that Braskem can focus its resources on the business , leaving Siemens with the responsibility for making the necessary investments in the engineering, implementation, operation and maintenance of the Cogeneration Plant," said Yuri Sanches, General Manager at Siemens in Brazil.

Opened in 1972, The ABC region's raw material plant is part of the first Petrochemical Complex to start operations in Brazil. Installed in Santo André (SP), the unit is responsible for transforming raw materials originating from petroleum, such as naphtha, into basic chemicals such as ethylene, propene, butadiene and hydrocarbon resins, which are the basis for various materials, such as plastic, used in segments such as construction, the automotive industry, hospital hygiene items, the food sector, packaging, clothing, and footwear.

About the Siemens Group in Brazil
Siemens has been present in Brazil for about 150 years and is part of a global technology conglomerate that has stood out for its excellence in engineering, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for 170 years. Siemens focuses globally on the areas of electrification, automation, and scanning. One of the world's largest producers of energy-efficient and resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leader in the provision of efficient power generation and transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure, automation, drives and software solutions for the industry. Throughout its history in Brazil, Siemens has actively contributed to the construction and modernization of the infrastructure. Today, Siemens equipment and systems account for 50% of the domestically generated electricity and 30% of the digital imaging diagnostics performed in Brazil, as well as being present in 2/3 of all Brazilian offshore platforms designed in the past 10 years. Siemens currently has 12 plants and seven research and development centers across the country.