Braskem, Lummus sign tech licensing deal for two green ethylene projects

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Brazil’s Braskem and US-based Lummus Technology announced on Monday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the joint licensing of technology to produce green ethylene from ethanol at two projects under consideration for development in North America and Asia.

The agreement between Braskem subsidiary Braskem Netherlands BV and Lummus is for the Braskem-owned technology currently being used by the Brazilian polyolefins producer at its Triunfo complex in Rio Grande do Sul state, where it has a renewable ethylene capacity of 200,000 tonnes/year, according to ICIS plants and projects.

The companies are also discussing a long-term agreement for the licensing of green ethylene technology, which they said will increase the use of renewable raw material for the production of bioplastics as an alternative to petroleum.

“Our partnership with Braskem is a very important building block that will strengthen Lummus’ technology leadership in the energy transition,” said Leon de Bruyn, president and CEO of Lummus Technology.

“Braskem, with more than 10 years producing green ethylene out of ethanol from sugar cane, together with Lummus, with its process and technology licensing competences, will provide a solid basis for the growth of this green alternative that allows the use of carbon captured from the atmosphere into plastics and other chemical products, contributing to fight climate change,” said Walmir Soller, Braskem’s vice president olefins/polyolefins for Europe and Asia and global leader for the Green PE business

The project currently under study for development in Asia is with Thailand’s SCG Chemicals and was announced in September amid heightened demand for sustainable products and interest in the circular economy.

If developed, the project will double production of Braskem’s renewable polyethylene (PE), which is sold under the trademark I’m Green, Braskem said. The complex would be located in Map Ta Phut, Thailand.

Braskem did not immediately respond to questions on the North American project.

Lummus is a chemical process-technology company owned by Rhone Capital and The Chatterjee Group.

Additional reporting by Al Greenwood

Thumbnail image shows polyethylene, which is made with ethylene.