Braskem receives grant for polymer recycling partnership

Philadelphia-based petrochemical company Braskem America has received a $671,000 research, demonstration and development (RD&D) grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reducing Embodied Energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute for its polymer recycling technology research partnership.

The project is a partnership between Braskem America, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Dow Chemical and Aquapak and aims to produce recyclable multilayer plastic films using new advanced manufacturing technology.

“Braskem is honored to have been selected among this partnership of incredibly talented innovators who are all committed to having a positive impact on our planet and our industry,” says Amanda Zani, technology platform manager at Braskem. “As a leading producer of advanced polymer solutions in the United States, with a commitment to significantly expanding the availability of sustainably focused offerings, Braskem firmly believes that this project has incredible potential for advancing our commitment to a more circular economy, which also includes design for recycling technology.”

The project seeks to develop polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), ultrasound-assisted extrusion and water-based material separation to create films that are easily separable. In collaboration with material suppliers, the University of Massachusetts Lowell aims to reduce packaging material consumption and bolster recycling efforts.

The two-year project's deliverables include processing protocols for recyclable films and separation methods via aqueous dissolution. According to Braskem, this project is positioned to reshape the packaging industry's economic landscape by facilitating 100 percent material recovery.

“Our advanced film processing and recovery approach will enable low-cost separation and recovery of film components for more circular packaging,” says Meg Sobkowicz, University of Massachusetts Lowell plastics engineering professor. “We are excited to work with Braskem and other industry partners to deliver these high-barrier multilayer films with inherent recycling advantages.

“It is critical that major materials suppliers and converters support and participate in this research so that innovations can be rapidly translated to industry."

The REMADE Institute aims to enable the early-stage applied research and development of industrial platform technologies that could reduce the emissions associated with industrial-scale materials production and processing. DOE and REMADE selected 14 projects in October with a combined total of $9.8 million in research and development (R&D) funding. Since its founding in 2017, REMADE has launched or selected nearly 100 R&D projects, representing a total combined value of nearly $100 million.