Braskem begins operation in Boston to strengthen its renewable chemicals strategy

Brazil’s Braskem announced its expanded focus on the research, development and commercialization of chemicals and materials sourced from renewable feedstocks. Braskem started a new operation in Boston, Mass., U.S.A., focused on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and advanced materials. The activities will include biotechnology and material science R&D, business and market development as well as technology scouting for key strategic partnerships.

“Renewable chemistry will lead the next wave of development in chemicals and polymers,” said Gustavo Sergi, Braskem Renewable Chemicals business director. “As we look forward, by developing and leading the next wave of renewable chemicals and polymers, we are bringing our customers new and innovative choices.”

“The operation in Boston will complement the metabolic engineering capabilities that we have in our Renewable Chemistry Research Center in Campinas, Brazil, as well as our material science competencies present in our R&D centers in Triunfo, Brazil, and Pittsburgh, Penn., U.S.A. In addition, this location positions Braskem in a strategic ecosystem that will enable us to leverage key partnerships for research and market development,” said Mateus Schreiner Garcez Lopes, Braskem head of Innovation in Renewable Technologies.

To lead the R&D initiatives in Boston the company has appointed Daniel P. MacEachran as new head of Metabolic Engineering, who joins Braskem from Greenlight Biosciences, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company focused on the sustainable production of chemicals.

“Renewable chemistry will lead the next wave of development in chemicals and polymers,” Gustavo Sergi, Braskem renewable chemicals business director said. “Our announcement today reinforces Braskem’s position at the forefront of this movement. As we look forward, by developing and leading the next wave of renewable chemicals and polymers, we are bringing our customers new and innovative choices.”

The operation will complement existing capabilities at Braskem’s Renewable Chemistry Research Center in Brazil, as well as its materials science R&D competencies present in the U.S.A., said Mateus Schreiner Garcez Lopez, Braskem’s head of innovation in renewable technologies.

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. Braskem exports to clients in approximately 100 countries and operates 41 industrial units, which are located in Brazil, United States, Germany and Mexico, the latter in partnership with the Mexican company Idesa.