BRASKEM EXTENDS RELATIONSHIP WITH NEXUS CIRCULAR THROUGH MOU FOR COMMERCIAL OFF-TAKE OF CIRCULAR PLASTIC FEEDSTOCKS FROM NEW ADVANCED RECYCLING FACILITY

Rhea-AI Summary

Braskem has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nexus Circular to establish a new advanced recycling facility near Chicago. This facility aims to convert over 30,000 metric tons of used plastics into high-quality materials annually, potentially expanding to 120,000 metric tons. The MOU grants Braskem exclusive rights to the output, supporting its goal of selling 1 million metric tons of recycled-content products by 2030. Braskem emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and reducing plastic waste through this partnership with Nexus Circular.

Positive

• MOU with Nexus Circular enhances supply chain for recycled feedstock.
• Facility expected to convert over 30,000 metric tons of plastics into circular materials annually, with potential growth to 120,000 metric tons.
• Supports Braskem's goal to sell 1 million metric tons of products with recycled content by 2030.

Negative

• None.

Braskem plans to expand its offering of certified circular polypropylene (PP) by utilizing Nexus Circular's proven, commercial-scale advanced recycling technology, which converts landfill-bound plastics into high-quality materials used in the production of virgin-quality circular plastics. 

HOUSTON, July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexus Circular and Braskem S.A. (B3: BRKM3, BRKM5, and BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK) ("Braskem"), the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, as well as a market leader and pioneer producer of biopolymers on an industrial scale, today announced that they have signed a detailed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to secure the production output from a new advanced recycling facility planned near Chicago, IL.  The new facility will have an initial capacity to convert over 30,000 metric tons annually of used plastic into new materials, with the potential to rapidly expand the processing capacity to over 120,000 metric tons annually. 

Nexus Circular is a commercial leader in advanced recycling that uses proprietary technology and a leading process design to convert landfill-bound films and other hard-to-recycle plastics into high-quality materials used to produce virgin-quality sustainable plastics.  Since 2018, Nexus has been supplying consistent, on-spec commercial volumes of ISCC PLUS certified circular products.  In January 2022, Braskem made a strategic investment in Nexus Circular.  

By the terms of the MOU, Braskem gains exclusive rights to the production output from this new advanced recycling facility, which supports Braskem's strategic objective to sell 300 thousand metric tons of products with recycled content by 2025 and 1 million metric tons by 2030.  Braskem America's CEO Mark Nikolich said, "With the new facility, we will leverage Nexus' proven, commercial advanced recycling technology to secure high-quality feedstock for the production of Braskem's certified circular PP resins. Braskem has dedicated substantial resources towards reducing plastic waste and is making significant progress towards a more sustainable portfolio of PP to support our clients' goals."

Eric Hartz, Nexus Circular's Co-founder, and President added, "Nexus is rapidly expanding our production footprint, beyond our current commercial plant, with leading companies.  We are thrilled to have Braskem as a committed partner, in addition to being an investor, as we move decisively to address the outsized market demand for circular recycled products while helping to mitigate the plastic waste challenge."

Nexus' unique solution is end-to-end acquiring and converting used plastics into circular virgin-equivalent feedstock for meeting recycled plastics objectives. The Nexus process is energy efficient, delivers unprecedented product quality, and has diverted over 5.5 million lbs. of used plastics from landfills to date.  

ABOUT NEXUS

Nexus Circular is an advanced recycling company at the center of the circular economy. We accelerate plastic recycling so that people, economies and the environment can thrive. We have a viable solution today that is circular, efficient and economical at full commercial scale.  Through our end-to-end solution, we work with recycling organizations to capture used plastics, especially hard-to-recycle films, from landfill, having already diverted millions of pounds to date.  By leveraging technology that outperforms, operations that scale and people that deliver, our proprietary technology and leading process design converts used plastics into clean high-quality, ISCC Plus certified materials for global companies who use them to produce virgin-quality circular plastics.  We are on a trajectory to convert 1 billion+ lbs. annually of hard-to-recycle plastics into circular materials to support our global partners' 2025 sustainability commitments. Nexus Circular. Advanced Recycling. Accelerated.  For more information, visit www.nexuscircular.com.

ABOUT BRASKEM

With a global vision of the future, oriented toward people and sustainability, Braskem is committed to contributing to the value chain for strengthening the circular economy. The petrochemical company's almost 8,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improving people's lives through sustainable chemicals and plastics solutions. Braskem has an innovative DNA and a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse segments, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, healthcare, and hygiene, among others. With 41 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in more than 71 countries.

Braskem America, Inc. 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 plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh, and operations in Boston focused on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and advanced materials. For more information, visit www.braskem.com/usa.   

Braskem on English social media:
www.facebook.com/BraskemGlobal 
www.linkedin.com/company/braskem  
www.twitter.com/Braskem

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT
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, are 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 continuation of restrictions related to the COVID -19 Pandemic or the continuing effects of the Pandemic; (ii) the contraction or lack of growth in the market segments in which Braskem competes and in which its products are sold (iii) unexpected delays in commissioning, (iv) increased competition from imports or in the export markets, (v) inability to anticipate future market trends and the future needs of Braskem's customers, (vi) the impact of natural disasters on Braskem's facility and its suppliers and (vii) 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; Nexus Circular

FAQ

What is Braskem's partnership with Nexus Circular about?

Braskem has signed an MOU with Nexus Circular to secure production output from a new advanced recycling facility aimed at converting used plastics into high-quality materials.

What is the capacity of the new recycling facility planned by Braskem and Nexus Circular?

The new facility is expected to initially convert over 30,000 metric tons of used plastics annually, with the potential to expand capacity to over 120,000 metric tons.

What are Braskem's sustainability targets related to recycled materials?

Braskem aims to sell 300 thousand metric tons of products with recycled content by 2025 and 1 million metric tons by 2030 as part of its sustainability strategy.

When was the MOU between Braskem and Nexus Circular announced?

The MOU was announced on July 11, 2022.

What technology does Nexus Circular use for recycling?

Nexus Circular utilizes advanced recycling technology to convert landfill-bound plastics into high-quality materials for circular plastics production.