Braskem and Thailand-based SCG Chemicals Public Company Limited (SCGC) have formed a joint venture to develop a 200,000 metric tons (mt)/yr bio-based ethylene plant in Map Ta Phut, Rayong, Thailand, the companies announced on Thursday.

The project still requires a final investment decision and regulatory approval.

Braskem, with its partner Lummus Technology LLC, will supply the process technology to produce ethylene from sugarcane-based ethanol. SCG Chemicals, a major PE producer, will convert ethylene into bio-based PE, which will be commercialized under the "I'm Green" brand for use in a variety of products including food packaging, toys, and trash can liners.

The joint venture is part of Braskem's and SCGC's targets to produce 1 million mt of green, or bio-based, products annually by 2030, replacing fossil feedstocks with renewables, the companies said in separate statements.

Last month, Braskem announced a 30% expansion of its existing bio-ethylene plant, from 200,000 mt/yr to 260,000 mt/yr, at the Triunfo petrochemical complex in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

PE made with feedstock from the Brazil bio-ethylene plant is exported to more than 30 countries and used in products for more than 250 brands, such as Allbirds, DUO UK, Grupo Boticario, Johnson & Johnson, Natura & Co., Nissin and Tetrak Pak, Braskem said.

The company claims that each ton of plastic resin made from renewable feedstock represents the removal of 3 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.


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--Reporting by David Barry, dbarry@opisnet.com; Editing by Adam Burkin, aburkin@opisnet.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-17-23 1105ET