Braskem Siam, a collaboration between Brazil's Braskem and Thailand's SCG Chemicals, has been approved by the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI).

Source: SustainablePlastics

The joint venture is set to invest THB 19.3 billion (€491.26 million) to establish a 200,000 tonnes/year bio-ethylene plant in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Rayong province. Braskem Siam's objective is to manufacture sugarcane-based bio-ethylene through bio-ethanol dehydration, which will then be utilized in producing I’m green bio-based polyethylene (PE). This facility will be the first of its kind outside Brazil.

The BOI considers the bio-ethylene initiative, along with seven other large-scale projects that have been approved, crucial for Thailand's government and the economy's future growth.

Braskem will introduce its EtE EverGreen technology from the collaboration with Lummus Technology LLC and Braskem B.V., formed in 2022. Moreover, the company will offer its expertise in the ethanol dehydration process.

SCG Chemicals will contribute its knowledge of high-quality polyethylene grades, operational excellence in polyethylene production, and market presence in Southeast Asia.

By utilizing ethanol derived from sugarcane instead of conventional fossil feedstock, the carbon impact of the PE can be significantly reduced. I’m green bio-based polyethylene is used in various products, including food and beverage packaging, personal and home care items, toys, housewares, and plastic bags. It is also recyclable through mechanical or chemical processes like regular polyethylene.

Once operational, the new facility in Thailand will nearly double the current capacity of I’m green bio-based polyethylene, meeting the increasing global demand for biopolymers, particularly in the rapidly expanding Asian market.