The electrification of industrial processes has increasingly become a major driver of energy efficiency and decarbonization in the chemical industry. At Braskem, initiatives such as the Vesta Project in the ABC region of São Paulo, the second phase of the biomass project in Alagoas involving the motorization of the site's main compressor, and the implementation of an electric boiler at the Paulínia facility reflect this trend by delivering operational gains, greater cost predictability, and lower carbon emissions from existing assets.

One of the key drivers behind this transformation is the replacement of steam turbines with electric motors, a practice already well established across a range of industrial applications. Under the Vesta Project, this transition generated significant efficiency gains: while condensing steam turbines generally operate at average efficiencies of 20% to 30%, electric motors reach approximately 90% efficiency. Additionally, large-scale motorization contributed to a reduction of more than 7.3% in energy consumption at the ABC facility.

In practical terms, this saving is equivalent to the residential energy consumption of a city with approximately one million inhabitants. The Vesta Project also makes a significant contribution to Braskem's climate agenda, reducing emissions by approximately 100,000 tons of CO²e per year.

Further Transformations Across the Sector

In Alagoas, Braskem is advancing its decarbonization agenda through a major project to replace natural gas with biomass, developed in partnership with Veolia. The initiative enabled the PVC plant to fully utilize steam generated from renewable sources. In this context, replacing the turbine with an electric motor not only improved efficiency but also allowed the shutdown of the company's last natural gas-fired boiler.

As a result, the facility now operates exclusively with renewable biomass-based steam, achieving a reduction of approximately 150,000 tons of CO²e annually.

In Paulínia, Braskem is advancing the electrification of thermal processes through the adoption of an electric boiler for steam generation in partnership with ComBio. The project is expected to reduce the facility's CO²e emissions by approximately 65% and lower steam production costs by around 20%. Operations are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.

Benefits for Energy Management

Beyond efficiency gains, electrification also improves energy management. The ability to secure electricity through long-term contracts, combined with more efficient processes, contributes to greater cost predictability and strengthens the competitiveness of industrial operations.

"The implementation of these projects in existing operating facilities demonstrates Braskem's technical maturity and engineering capabilities. These initiatives require rigorous planning, systems integration, and customized solutions, generating valuable learnings that help accelerate electrification across the chemical industry," said Robson Casali, Braskem Energy Business Development Manager.

The electrification trend continues to grow and is expanding into new applications, including the use of electricity to generate heat in process furnaces. While this technology is still under development, it has the potential to fundamentally transform the sector's energy profile over the coming years. "Electrification is a central part of Braskem's strategy to transform its energy matrix. By developing projects that improve efficiency, expand renewable energy use, and reduce emissions, we are making consistent progress toward the energy transition and building a more competitive, lower-carbon chemical industry," Casali concluded.