Düsseldorf/Wesseling, 7 October 2016 – The globally operating plastics manufacturer Braskem is investing around five million euros in its new European Technology Center at the Wesseling production site, a combination of technical center and laboratory. The completion and inauguration of the technology center are being celebrated to coincide with the company's 25th anniversary on 7 October 2016.
To date, Braskem operates two polymer technology centers worldwide, one in Triunfo in Brazil, the other in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania/USA. "We are delighted that we now have the opportunity to further develop our products directly for the European market and can provide our customers with extended technical support," says Srivatsan Iyer, CEO & Managing Director of Braskem Europe. "The opportunity for research and development here in Europe, coupled with the expertise and the other technology centers, will enable Braskem to maintain its leadership in the field of polyolefins. We can now be even closer to our customers and support them even better in accordance with specific market requirements." The production facility in Wesseling has been in existence for 25 years.
"I am delighted that Braskem, the market leader for plastics in North and South America, has established itself here in North Rhine-Westphalia. With the construction of the European Technology Center, product development can be adapted to the needs of the European market. This is a significant location advantage for Wesseling as a chemical and plastics location and for the entire Rhineland region as a chemical location. This investment decision to the tune of around 5 million euros is not only good news for Wesseling, but also for the federal state government of NRW," says Dr. Günther Horzetzky, State Secretary in the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs.
NRW.INVEST assisted Braskem in selecting the location for the European Technology Center. "I am delighted about the inauguration of the Technology Center. The commitment of Braskem in Wesseling is an impressive demonstration of the attractiveness and quality of the chemical and plastics location, especially in the field of innovations," explains Petra Wassner, CEO of NRW.INVEST.
The plastics industry in NRW is the carrier and driver of innovations in the fields of materials, production processes and products for almost all areas of life. A comprehensive value chain of plastics producers, processors and machine builders, a broad scientific, research and service landscape which is unique in this concentration and composition in Europe, are synonymous with the excellence of this industry. Around 1,000 companies with more than 140,000 employees from the plastics industry, as well as associations and institutes from science and education, form the plastics cluster in North Rhine-Westphalia.
About Braskem
With 40 production sites in Brazil, the USA, Germany and Mexico, Braskem is one of the world's leading plastics and chemicals companies. The company's latest industrial complex is a joint venture with Idesa and represents an investment of USD 5.2 billion. Braskem is the largest manufacturer of thermoplastics in America and the world leader in the production of biopolymers. It creates more environmentally friendly, intelligent and sustainable solutions from chemical products and plastics. It is known for innovative solutions such as I'm green Polyethylene™ made from renewable sugar cane and UTEC®, the company's proprietary ultrahigh-molecular polyethylene product for high-performance applications. Braskem's products and technologies enable companies in the automotive, packaging, healthcare and construction industries to produce applications that improve the quality of life of people around the world.
Braskem Europe operates two production sites in Germany, in Schkopau and Wesseling. The company's head office is located in Frankfurt. Braskem Europe is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. For more information, visit www.braskem.com.