Braskem completes US$19 mln Bahia facility expansion to increase LLDPE capacity

20-Jan-15

Brazilian petrochemical firm Braskem has completed its BRL50 mln (US$19 mln) Bahia facility expansion to increase its linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) production capacity. The investment forms part of the company's aim to meet the growing demand for metallocene-based resins, as per ChemicalsTechnology. Through this initiative, the company plans to increase its polyethylene production capacity of LLDPE to 120,000 tpa. Braskem aims to produce 100,000 tons of the Flexus family metallocene polyethylene base resin. The Braskem Flexus product line is used in packaging that requires specific features, such as increased resistance, gloss, transparency and sealing properties, and targets manufacturers of specialty films, technical reels and industrial films. Braskem polyethylene business director Edison Terra said: "With this investment, we will be able to meet the growth of the Brazilian market over the coming years and to serve our clients' need for films with higher performance." The project includes conversion of one of the company's polyethylene production lines to offer a resin that employs the latest technology in plastic films manufacturing.