In addition to the MoU, the companies are discussing a long-term agreement for Lummus to license Braskem’s green ethylene technology as a way to accelerate the chemical industry’s use of renewable feedstock and fight climate change.

"Our partnership with Braskem is a very important building block that will strengthen Lummus' technology leadership in the energy transition," said Leon de Bruyn, Lummus Technology’s president and CEO. "As the world's largest ethylene technology provider,” he said “Lummus is confident in the green solutions we will be able to develop together with Braskem, the world's largest biopolymer producer and recognized for its role in the circular economy. Our collective expertise, experience and resources will accelerate circularity in our industry and help our customers decarbonize their investments and produce greener products."

The agreement fits with Lummus’s strategy to develop and commercialize breakthrough solutions for the energy transition. The US process licensor set up its Green Circle business last year to expand its capabilities and capture new opportunities in areas that include end-of-life waste plastics recycling, producing bio-derived sustainable chemicals and decarbonizing existing and new assets.

In February, Braskem revealed it was expanding production of green ethylene derived from sugarcane ethanol, at its site in Triunfo, Rio Grande do Sul. Capacity will rise from 200,000 t/y to 260,000 t/y with the project, budgeted to cost $61 million, due to complete in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist