Braskem Idesa's PE production at new complex crosses 80,000 tons in Q2

05-Aug-16

Mexican petrochemical producer Braskem Idesa produced 83,538 mt of polyethylene resins during the second quarter at its new complex in Veracruz state, as per Platts. Of this, a combined 54,000 mt was sold in domestic and international markets, including pre-marketing sales. Braskem Idesa is a joint venture between Brazil's Braskem (75%) and Mexico's Grupo Idesa (25%) and represents the first of a wave of new petrochemical projects in North America.
The first line, a high-density injection polyethylene line, began operations April 6 and the second line, an HDPE blowmolding line, came online April 28. The LDPE line started in June, Braskem said, adding that the LDPE plant is still considered a pre-operational asset, since it is in the commissioning phase. Once the complex is running at capacity, it will be able to produce 1 mln mt/year of polyethylene. Capacity utilization was 32% in Q2, the company said, adding that it had built up 74,000 mt of resin inventories.