Braskem Announces REMADE Institute Grant Award to Develop New Recycling Process Technology to Extract Pure Polypropylene from PCR

Braskem (B3: BRKM3, BRKM5 and BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK) (“Company”), the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas and leading producer of biopolymers in the world, today announced its polymer recycling technology research partnership has been awarded a $600,000 Research, Demonstration, and Development (RD&D) grant from the Reducing Embodied Energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute, a public-private partnership established by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The winning RD&D project is focused on innovating a new recycling process technology to extract pure polypropylene (PP) from PCR multilayer packaging waste that is currently hard to recycle. The project is a partnership between Braskem America, Michigan Technological University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, all of which are providing additional foundational project funding. REMADE is the first institute in the U.S. dedicated to accelerating the nation’s transition to a Circular Economy.

“We are honored to have this innovative plastic recycling project recognized by the REMADE Institute, an organization that is dedicated to investing in technology that is vital for the future of manufacturing,” said Ana Camilo, Specialist Researcher, Braskem. “This funding will enable Braskem, Michigan Technological University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison to revolutionize the circular re-use of multilayer plastic and potentially create a pathway to divert hard-to-recycle plastic waste from landfills into valuable new material feedstock sources.”

Braskem RD&D Partnership Project Awarded Funding by REMADE:

Demonstration of Solvent-Based Plastic Recycling to Extract Pure Polypropylene from PCR

• This research project seeks to develop new Solvent Targeted Recycling and Precipitation (STRAP) technology to extract pure resin from mixed polymers, with a focus on obtaining high-purity PP from Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) polypropylene wastes for industry applications. It is intended that this solvent-based technology will be able to remove additives, ink, pigments, and adhesives, and ultimately produce a cleaner polypropylene.

Professor George W Huber, University of Wisconsin-Madison, commented, “Sustainability is a collaborative effort. It is critical that the companies in the plastic industry work together with academia and government agencies to bring innovative recycling technologies to the market.