Braskem, the largest petrochemical producer in the Americas and the world’s leading biopolymer producer, has completed the investment of around R$50 million made in one of its plants in the state of Bahia to expand its production capacity of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) by 120 kton/y. The investment will enable Braskem to meet nearly all domestic demand for this product, which previously depended on imports. Of the total production already begun, 100 kton will be of products in the Braskem Flexus® family, the brand of Braskem’s metallocene-based polyethylenes.

To expand its production, Braskem converted one of its polyethylene production lines to offer a resin that employs the latest technology for plastic film manufacturers. The decision attests to Braskem’s commitment to its Clients and to the development of Brazil’s plastics production chain.

The unit, located in the Camaçari Petrochemical Complex in the state of Bahia, now has a line that is fully dedicated to the resin's production. “We have expanded our offering of products in the Braskem Flexus® line to effectively support the growth of our Clients' in market segments that demand high-tech resins,” said Luciano Guidolin, Braskem’s EVP of polyolefins.

“With this investment, we will be able to meet the growth in the Brazilian market over the coming years and to serve our Clients' need for high-performance films," said Edison Terra, Braskem's director of the polyethylene business. “Today around 30% of the LLDPE market is supplied by imports. With this investment, Braskem expands its capacity to meet virtually all domestic demand for this family over the coming years,” he added.

Metallocene technology represents around 20% of the LLDPE market, but its growth continues to outpace that of the overall market. Braskem Flexus® is used in packaging that requires specific features, such as increased resistance, gloss, transparency and sealing properties. The product line targets manufacturers of specialty films, technical reels and industrial films.

Since 2004, Braskem has led the Latin American market in supplying metallocene-based polyethylenes, with production capacity in excess of 350 kton/y. The Company also offers an application engineering structure that Clients can use to develop specific formulations for their films.