LA PORTE, Texas
and PHILADELPHIA, July 11, 2017
/PRNewswire/ -- Braskem (BM&FBOVESPA: BRKM3, BRKM5 and
BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK), the largest thermoplastics resins
producer in the Americas, today announced that The Linde Group, a
world-leading gases and engineering company, has been selected as
the lead engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC)
contractor to build Braskem's new world-scale North American
polypropylene (PP) production line. Linde offers comprehensive
project development services for polyolefin industrial plants,
ranging from front end engineering design (FEED) to complete EPC
execution and is an approved contractor for UNIPOL™ Polypropylene
Process Technology.
Braskem has committed up to $675
million towards the design and construction of the new PP
production line named Delta which
will be located next to Braskem's existing production facilities in
La Porte, Texas. With the
engineering design phase well underway, the new plant will have a
production capacity of 450 kilotons (kt), or the equivalent of
approximately 1 billion pounds, per year.
Mark Nikolich, Braskem North
America Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Today we are pleased to
announce another significant step forward in the development of
Delta, which is set to be the
largest polypropylene production line in the Americas. The
selection of The Linde Group as our lead EPC contractor follows a
highly competitive selection process. With the experience of having
built more than 4,000 plants in more than 100 countries, Linde
brings leading edge technology solutions for plant engineering, as
well as strong global construction procurement skills and deep
specialty experience in UNIPOL™ PP industrial plant
design. We are excited to partner with Linde on this important
project as we continue to execute on Braskem's global growth
strategy and extend our position as the leading producer of
polypropylene in the Americas."
Dr. Christian Bruch, Member of
the Executive Board of the Linde Group and responsible for the
company's engineering business, said, "After decades without
significant capacity additions in the US the industry is seeing a
strategic change in US polypropylene supply. Based on our
experience with the UNIPOL™ polypropylene process we have developed
a proven track record in delivering measurable benefits to our
customers, from design to construction. We are excited to support
Braskem in their strategic growth plan in this important
market."
The construction of Braskem's new Delta production line is expected to
positively impact economic activity in the La Porte region, employing approximately 1,000
development and construction workers to fully construct the
facility. Construction is expected to begin mid-summer 2017, with
the final phase of main construction targeted for the first quarter
of 2020. The Delta production line
design is being developed directly in-line with Braskem's
commitment to sustainability and attention to eco-indicators such
as emissions, water and energy efficiency, as well as recycling and
waste reduction.
For additional information on Braskem's new Delta production line announcement and
progress please visit www.braskem.com.br/usa/delta.
About The Linde Group
In the 2016 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of
EUR 16.948 bn, making it one of the
leading gases and engineering companies in the world, with
approximately 60,000 employees working in more than 100 countries
worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards
long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its
international business, with forward-looking products and services.
Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners,
employees, society and the environment in every one of its business
areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is
committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of
customer value and sustainable development. For more information,
see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com.
About Braskem
Braskem is one of the world's leading plastics and chemical
companies with 41 industrial plants in Brazil, the United
States, Germany and
Mexico.
Braskem is the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the
Americas and the leading producer of biopolymers in the world,
creating more environmental-friendly, intelligent and sustainable
solutions through chemicals and plastics. Known for innovative
solutions such as I'm green Polyethylene™ made from renewable
sugarcane and UTEC®, the company's own trademarked Ultra
High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for high performance
applications, Braskem's products and technologies enable the
automotive, packaging, healthcare, and construction industries to
produce goods that enhance quality of life for people around the
world.
Braskem America is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading
producer of polypropylene in the United
States, with six production lines located in Texas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and an Innovation and
Technology Center in Pittsburgh.
For more information, visit www.braskem.com.
This press release contains projections and other
forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) regarding future
events. These statements reflect Braskem's current beliefs and
expectations with respect to Braskem's business, the economy and
other future conditions and are based on assumptions, subject to
risk and uncertainties, and are subject to change at any
time. Actual events or results may differ materially from
those contained in such forward-looking statements. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without
limitation: (i) the contraction or lack of growth in the market
segments in which Braskem competes and in which Braskem products
are sold (ii) unexpected delays in commissioning Delta, (iii) increased competition from
imports, (iv) inability to anticipate future market trends and the
future needs of Braskem's customers, (v) the impact of natural
disasters on Braskem's La Porte
facility and its suppliers and (vi) other factors detailed in
documents Braskem files from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this
release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
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SOURCE Braskem