Braskem plans to add PVC and polyethylene capacity by 2015

11-Apr-11

Growth continues for Brazilian petrochemicals giant Braskem SA, which plans to add capacity for PVC and polyethylene by 2015, as per Plastics news. The PVC expansion will be in the form of over 400 mln lbs of new capacity added in Brazil in H1-2012. The polyethylene addition is part of the much larger Ethylene XXI project in Mexico. Ethylene XXI - a 65:35 joint venture between Braskem and Mexican petrochem maker IDESA; will create more than 2 bln lbs of capacity each for PE and ethylene feedstock. That project is expected to be operational by 2015. Most material produced by Ethylene XXI will feed domestic consumption, as Mexico currently imports 70% of its PE needs. In addition, Braskem is considering a project that could add over 2 bln lbs f combined PE/ethylene capacity in Peru through a JV with Petrobras and Petroperu, the Peruvian national oil company.