La Porte, Texas (December 14, 2015) - Braskem, the largest thermoplastics resins producer in the Americas, announces it has hired Saulsbury Industries to construct its new UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) plant in La Porte, Texas. Saulsbury Industries is a privately-owned EPC firm headquartered in Odessa, TX.
Braskem's UHMWPE products are produced under the trade name UTEC. Production of the new unit is expected to start by the end of 2016. The U.S. plant's output will complement the existing UTEC product line that is produced in Brazil.

The main advantages of UTEC are its excellent mechanical properties, such as high abrasion resistance, impact strength and low coefficient of friction. UTEC is a self-lubricating, high-strength, light-weight machinable product used for semi-finished goods.  UTEC is eight times lighter than steel and lasts ten times longer than HDPE. UTEC is used in a vast array of applications in the following industries: construction, agriculture, automotive, textile, pulp and paper, food and beverage, coal and mining, high performance fibers, battery separators and waste water treatment.
"We are happy to announce this partnership with Saulsbury Industries. This is a strategic step in continuing to move forward with our new UHMWPE plant.  Having already completed detailed engineering, we are optimistic in the future of our technology.  Our investment reinforces Braskem's dedication to the North American market and the UHMWPE industry and allows us to pursue growth within our strategic markets," said Fernando Musa, CEO, Braskem America. 

ABOUT BRASKEM
Braskem is one of the world's leading plastics and chemical companies with 36 industrial plants in Brazil, the United States, and Germany. The Company's newest industrial complex, a joint venture with Idesa, is scheduled to start operations in Mexico at the end 2015. The investment value is $5.2 billion.
Braskem is the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas and the leading producer of biopolymers in the world, creating more environmental-friendly, intelligent and sustainable solutions through chemicals and plastics. Known for innovative solutions such as I'm green PolyethyleneT made from renewable sugarcane and UTEC®, the company's own trademarked Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for high performance applications, Braskem's products and technologies enable the automotive, packaging, healthcare, and construction industries to produce goods that enhance quality of life for people around the world.
Braskem America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with five production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and a Technology and Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. For more information, visit www.braskem.com .

ABOUT SAULSBURY INDUSTRIES
Founded in 1967, Saulsbury Industries is a full-service Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor that provides engineering, general construction, electrical and instrumentation, and fabrication services to heavy industrial markets nationwide. Headquartered in Odessa, Texas, Saulsbury is a family owned, debt-free company that has recently employed as many as 3,600 people. With offices in Dallas, Houston, Port Arthur, Baton Rouge, Denver, Farmington, Henderson, and Abilene, Saulsbury continues to provide reliable services to its clients.

Media Contacts:

Stacy Torpey
(215) 841-3194
stacy.torpey@braskem.com