Petrochemical Company Braskem Commits to Ending Plastic Waste

PHILADELPHIA and SAO PAULO -- Braskem (B3: BRKM3, BRKM5 and BRKM6;NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK), the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas and leading producer of biopolymers in the world, today announces its latest sustainability ambitions to significantly expand its efforts to eliminate plastic waste in the environment by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

In 2009, Braskem launched the company's long-term sustainability goals for 2020, which emphasized Braskem's commitment to providing solutions that address climate change. Braskem has invested in the development of I'm green™ products sourced from renewable sources and recycled content, while in the same period reducing the intensity of carbon emissions from its operations by 20 percent. In 2018, Braskem further committed to 100% of plastic packaging being reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040. As part of its evolving sustainable development strategy, Braskem today announces additional commitments to mitigate climate change, eliminate plastic waste and provide solutions for recycled products in its markets.

BRASKEM SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS

Roberto Simoes, Braskem CEO, states, "Braskem has a long history of taking action to create a more sustainable world. We have invested in renewable resources since the company's formation in 2002. As the first and leading producer of biopolymers, Braskem has been at the forefront of creating positive change to support people, society, and the environment. Braskem intends to continue its leadership as the industry transitions to a carbon neutral circular economy. Plastic plays a vital role in society, and we believe that the strategic direction of our latest sustainability commitments will allow plastics to continue its role in advancing innovation and providing sustainable solutions. With the new sustainable development goals we announced today, we are committing to create products to help our clients meet aggressive recycled content goals in the next several years and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050."

BRASKEM'S I'M GREEN™ PORTFOLIO

Braskem's I'm green^TM brand was born in 2010 together with the world's first bioplastic (green polyethylene (PE)) produced on an industrial scale, using responsibly sourced sugarcane as raw material. Cultivation of sugarcane utilized in the production of I'm green™ polyethylene captures carbon dioxide (CO2) and releases oxygen (O2), which means Braskem's bioplastic has a negative carbon footprint. From a cradle-to-gate life-cycle perspective, every ton of I'm green Polyethylene produced equates to 3.09 tons of CO2 captured from the atmosphere, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The fully recyclable product was developed at Braskem's Innovation and Technology Center located at the Triunfo Petrochemical Complex in Brazil, where the company invested US$ 290 million to build an industrial unit with production annual capacity of 200 Kton.

Since its initial launch, Braskem's I'm green™ sustainable portfolio of chemicals and polymers has expanded and now includes a range of other solutions made from post-consumer plastic waste as well as responsibly sourced bio-based materials including green EVA.  Today, the I'm green™ portfolio includes 'I'm green™ Bio-Based' products, 'I'm green™ Recycled' products made from recovered plastic waste as well as 'I'm green™ Bio-based and Recycled' products, all reflecting Braskem's commitment to innovation and the advancement of the Carbon Neutral Circular Economy.  To learn more about Braskem's sustainable I'm green™ portfolio, please visit online at: https://www.braskem.com.br/imgreen/home-en.

ADVANCING THE CARBON NEUTRAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Braskem's strategy to achieve carbon neutrality focuses on three pillars of Reducing emissions, Offsetting emissions and Capturing emissions.  These efforts to reduce emissions will concentrate on improving energy efficiency in existing operations as well as the increased use of low carbon and renewable energy in current operations.  Additionally, Braskem will continue to explore and invest in new low carbon intensity process technologies. In the area of offsetting emissions, Braskem will focus on accelerating our investments in renewable feedstock based chemicals and polymers.  Lastly, Braskem's efforts around capturing emissions are being supported through the research and development of opportunities in using CO2 emissions as feedstock for conversion to value-added Chemicals. 

Braskem's Circular Economy Strategy will continue to aggressively progress projects in mechanical and advanced molecular recycling.  Braskem plans to continue leveraging its market leadership, polymer expertise and strong track record of growth in sustainability to develop a robust portfolio of recycled products for its clients.

To learn more about Braskem's commitment to a carbon neutral circular economy visit: https://www.braskem.com/ourcommitment.

Braskem's sustainable development strategy focuses on seven dimensions: 1) Health & Safety, 2) Financial & Economic Results, 3) Elimination of Plastic Waste, 4) Mitigation of Climate Change, 5) Operational Eco-efficiency, 6) Social Responsibility & Human Rights, and 7) Sustainable Innovation.  These dimensions align closely with the UN 2030 Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and The Paris Agreement to mitigate climate change

As the North American leader in polypropylene, Braskem is strongly committed to move towards a Circular Economy, where nothing is wasted and everything is transformed. Earlier this year, Braskem announced it reached its 2020 goal to become an Operation Clean Sweep® blue member. Braskem also became a founding member and funding partner of the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, an initiative of The Recycling Partnership with a focus on increasing U.S. curbside recycling access for polypropylene (PP) and ensuring PP is widely recovered and reused in end-markets such as food and beverage packaging, consumer products and automotive. Braskem is also a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. 

ABOUT BRASKEM

With a global vision of the future oriented towards people and sustainability, Braskem is committed to contributing to the value chain for strengthening the Circular Economy. The petrochemical company's almost 8,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improve people's lives through sustainable chemicals and plastics solutions. Braskem has an innovative DNA and a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse segments, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, healthcare and hygiene, among others. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico and Germany, and net revenue of R$52.3 billion (US$13.2 billion), Braskem exports its products to clients in more than 100 countries.

Braskem America is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with six production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh, and operations in Boston focused on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and advanced materials. For more information, visit www.braskem.com/usa.