Braskem and Veolia signed a R$400 million investment agreement to produce renewable energy using steam from eucalyptus biomass in Alagoas. The project will generate 900 thousand tons of steam/year for 20 years, which will mean a reduction in emissions of approximately 150 thousand tons of CO2 per year. In addition, it will create more than 400 direct jobs during the construction phase and approximately 100 jobs in the operation (post-work).
Scheduled to start operations in 2023, the plant in Marechal Deodoro (AL) will generate a positive socio-environmental impact for the region and the country and is in line with the global strategy of sustainable development and with the purpose of sustainable transformation of the companies. Braskem is the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas and the largest producer of polypropylene in the United States, and Veolia is a world leader in energy, water and waste management solutions for cities and industries.
"As the world reference for ecological transformation, Veolia is committed to increasing the implementation of existing sustainable solutions and creating the solutions of the future with our customers. The partnership with Braskem is proof of that: two companies that come together to lead with actions the transformations that the world and the country need", highlights the CEO of Veolia Brasil, Pedro Prádanos.
The new steam production plant, which will promote significant progress in the energy matrix towards sustainable sources in Braskem's operation in Alagoas, is a big step towards advancing in two of the company's seven macro sustainability objectives, in the dimension of combating changes climate change: 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. "The eucalyptus biomass project introduces a new sustainable way of generating renewable energy within Braskem's operations. to Veolia, we will make an important contribution to our sustainability plan. We will have a reduction of one third of greenhouse gas emissions in our operation in Alagoas, based on 2020 emissions", explains Gustavo Checcucci, Energy Director at Braskem .
"The project will significantly contribute to the social and regional development of the State of Alagoas. It will boost business and create employment opportunities at our facilities and at our partners, contributing to the state's economy", explains Helcio Colodete, industrial director at Braskem in Alagoas.
With a focus on sustainability, but also on eco-efficiency and productivity, the solution aims to meet the steam demand required for the petrochemical's continuous, high-performance operation. To achieve this objective, Veolia will be responsible for managing most of the project, including the agroforestry management process of more than 5,500 hectares of eucalyptus, the design of the engineering project and the construction of the biomass and steam production, in addition to the operation and maintenance of the entire installation during the 20 years of the contract. Braskem will make internal investments to adapt the Marechal Deodoro complex to the new thermoelectric arrangement.
Also, to ensure the high standards of efficiency and quality of the two companies, the initiative covers processes aligned with digital transformation and industry 4.0. With the implementation of Hubgrade, Veolia's solution that integrates digital tools and human expertise to monitor and analyze the operation in real time, the project guarantees performance optimization and continuous improvement in the performance of facilities and energy consumption.
"By meeting the steam demand necessary for the uninterrupted operation of its production processes, this project will meet Braskem's operational needs and, at the same time, the sustainability challenges in energy management", concludes the CEO of Veolia Brasil.
