Braskem, Styrolution partner for new resin-making plant in Brazil

Thermoplastic resin maker Braskem SA is partnering with global styrenics leader Styrolution Group GmbH in a joint venture to build a new plant in Brazil to supply specialty styrenics, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers to customers throughout South America.

The proposed plant will have an annual capacity of approximately 220 million pounds – groundbreaking for the site could be expected as early as 2015 with production likely starting in 2017, the companies said in a joint statement.

Frankfurt, Germany-based Styrolution would be the majority shareholder in the project with 70 per cent ownership, while São Paulo-based-Braskem would hold 30 per cent.

“Traditionally, ABS and SAN have been imported into the region by styrenics providers like Styrolution,” the statement said. “The new company would seek to capitalize on the favorable market dynamics to create a domestic and regional producer offering customers more localized service and greater security of supply.”