Braskem completes first sale of circular PE in South America

Braskem, a global petrochemical company that develops sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics to improve people's lives, has completed the sale of circular polyethylene (PE), produced through chemical recycling, to the Copobras Group. This marks the first time the petrochemical company has marketed such circular resin in South America, and the material will be used by Copobras to produce flexible packaging for the pet food segment.

Braskem's circular PE, like all other circular products from the company, is part of the Wenew portfolio, which aims to further promote the concept of a circular economy within the chemical and plastics production chain. The raw material used to produce this circular resin was supplied by Neste, a Finnish refining company. In 2024, the two companies signed an agreement for the supply of circular and bio-circular feedstocks for the production of resins and chemicals.

"This is our first case of chemical recycling in South America. We had the feedstock from our partnership with Neste, our role in producing the circular resin, and the sale to Copobras. This is a major milestone for the company in the direction of sustainable development and the realization of the circular economy," says Pier Pesce, Business Development Manager at Braskem in South America.

Circularity through chemical recycling is already recognized by Anvisa, and this process produces high-purity monomers that are indistinguishable from virgin-origin monomers. Therefore, the materials fully comply with applicable regulations for use in packaging that comes into direct contact with food, without the need for specific authorization. This is a significant advancement and differentiator, as it unlocks a wide range of new applications where mechanical recycling faces technical and regulatory challenges.

This first sale in South America solidifies Braskem's initiatives in favor of chemical recycling and the development of an increasingly sustainable product portfolio. Since 2021, the company has invested in this area, either through research to develop technologies or by acquiring circular feedstocks produced via pyrolysis. Additionally, the circular PE supplied to the Copobras Group is ISCC Plus certified, reinforcing the product's quality and circularity.

"The development process of Braskem's circular PE is of the highest quality, and we are very proud to be the first to use this resin. Solutions like these must become increasingly present in the market so we can ensure sustainable standards for the sector as a whole. This is a fundamental path to meet the demands of consumers and brand owners for more sustainable products," says Morgana Bon, Product Engineering Manager at the Copobras Group.

Pursuing sustainable development

Braskem's circular economy strategy is focused on developing products and solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This includes creating technologies and marketing products derived from mechanical and chemical recycling, which consolidates the company's position in the circular economy and expands the Wenew portfolio with solutions that meet customer needs.

Moreover, the Wenew resin portfolio stands out for reducing carbon emissions by up to 48% compared to conventional virgin resins. The new circular PE joins the portfolio as another ally in achieving Braskem's circularity goal-to expand sales of products with recycled content to 1 million tons by 2030.

About Braskem

Braskem is a global petrochemical company, people-oriented and future-focused, that fosters strong relationships and generates value for all. Offering sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics to improve people's lives, the company has a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for various sectors, including food packaging, civil construction, industrial, automotive, agribusiness, health, and hygiene. Braskem believes that disruptive innovation is the only viable path to establishing a new relationship with the planet. Therefore, it chooses to act in the present, promoting plastic circularity and driving the revolution of bio-based materials. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the U.S., Mexico, and Germany, the company exports its products to customers in over 71 countries through its 8,500 team members who operate globally under a management model that demonstrates a commitment to ethics, compliance with regulations in all countries, and respect for responsible competitiveness.
More information:  https://www.braskem.com.br/

About the Copobras Group

The Copobras Group is a leader in its market segments and has over 50 years of history, making a mark in people's lives. Its brands include Incoplast, a reference in flexible packaging with a strong presence in the pet food market, and Copobras, specialized in recyclable disposable solutions. With 13 production units across 6 Brazilian states, the group operates both nationally and internationally, reaching several countries.
More information:  https://www.copobras.com.br