Braskem Secures REMADE Grant for Innovative Polypropylene Recycling from PCR

Braskem, the preeminent polyolefins producer in the Americas and a global leader in biopolymers, has announced the receipt of a $600,000 Research, Demonstration, and Development (RD&D) grant from the Reducing Embodied Energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute. This esteemed public-private partnership, established by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), focuses on advancing polymer recycling technology.

Camilo expressed that they were honored to have the innovative plastic recycling project recognized by the REMADE Institute, an organization dedicated to investing in technology crucial for the future of manufacturing. She further highlighted the significance of the funding, emphasizing its role in empowering Braskem and its academic partners to revolutionize the circular re-use of multilayer plastic. The ultimate goal is to establish a pathway for diverting hard-to-recycle plastic waste away from landfills and transforming it into valuable new material feedstock sources.

The awarded RD&D project holds strategic importance, focusing on the development of a novel recycling process technology tailored for the extraction of pure polypropylene from the intricate multilayer packaging of post-consumer resin. This type of plastic waste has presented challenges within current recycling practices, and the project aims to address these obstacles by introducing an innovative solution.

The collaborative effort brings together the expertise of Braskem America, a prominent player in the polymer industry, and the academic prowess of Michigan Technological University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. These institutions are not only contributing to the project's research and development but are also providing additional foundational funding.

By integrating their collective knowledge and resources, the partners aspire to propel advancements in plastic recycling technology, fostering a sustainable approach to managing plastic waste. The potential breakthroughs resulting from this initiative could have far-reaching implications for the industry, offering a viable alternative for dealing with the complexities of multilayer plastic waste.

The REMADE Institute's support signifies a recognition of the project's significance in the broader context of manufacturing and environmental sustainability. The institute's focus on reducing embodied energy and decreasing emissions aligns seamlessly with the objectives of Braskem's recycling initiative. This collaboration highlights the pivotal role that public-private partnerships play in driving innovation and facilitating the development of technologies crucial for the future.

Braskem's receipt of the REMADE Institute grant marks a significant step forward in the quest for innovative solutions to plastic waste management. The collaborative effort between industry and academia exemplifies a holistic approach to research and development, with the potential to reshape the landscape of polymer recycling. As the project progresses, the outcomes may not only address the challenges posed by hard-to-recycle plastic waste but also contribute to the broader goal of establishing a circular economy that promotes sustainability and responsible resource management.