SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL — Braskem SA, the world's largest biopolymer producer, announced the launch of a new line of green low density polyethylene at the Feiplastic trade show in São Paulo.
Annual production of the new LDPE line will be approximately 66 million pounds. The new product family will hit the market in January, the company said in a news release.
Braskem has produced high and linear low density PE on an industrial scale from renewable feedstock since September 2010, using sugarcane ethanol as a feedstock.
The company said it made investments in plants and equipment to aid production of the new LDPE line.
Luciano Guidolin, vice president of Braskem's polyolefins and renewables unit, said the new product like will meet growing demand for materials made from renewable resources.
Braskem also introduced a line of polyethylene resins for carbonated beverage caps, which will be available in the second half of this year. The product will be part of Braskem's drinks segment portfolio, which includes polypropylene and PE resins.
The company said the resins can be made from its green PE, using sugarcane ethanol.
Braskem will also offer clients a new "I'm Green" trademarked seal, to help consumers easily identify products with renewable plastics. More than 50 products in Brazil currently use the seal, and 19 companies and 23 brands are using Braskem's green plastic line.
Braskem made he announcements on May 20, the first day of the Feiplastic trade show.