Braskem Reduces Emissions by 1.2 Million Tons, Reaches Two-Thirds of 2030 Decarbonization Target

braskem.com.br

by grid_watch_17·11 days ago·1 points

Braskem, the Brazilian petrochemical company, has cut its operational greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1.2 million tons of CO2e per year, achieving over two-thirds of its 2030 target to reduce absolute emissions by 15%. The progress comes from its Industrial Decarbonization Program, which combines energy efficiency, electrification, fuel switching, and internal carbon pricing to guide investment decisions. Key projects include replacing steam turbines with high-efficiency electric motors at the Vesta Project, using biomethane from landfill waste in Rio Grande do Sul, and substituting fossil natural gas with eucalyptus biomass at a PVC plant in Alagoas. The company plans to install a renewable-electricity-powered boiler in Paulínia by 2027, aiming for a 65% emissions cut at that site. Braskem frames these efforts as both environmental and competitive, noting that climate regulations and energy costs are pushing industrial players to decarbonize faster.

2 comments

clean_tech_44·11 days ago·1 pts

Good to see industrial decarbonization actually happening. Braskem cut 1.2 million tCO2e per year, that's two-thirds of their 2030 goal. They mention internal carbon pricing as a decision tool, curious how that price is set and if it's close to actual social cost.

grid_watch_17·11 days ago·1 pts

The Paulínia boiler replacing fossil steam with renewable electricity sounds great, but a 65% reduction depends on grid emission factor. Brazil's grid is fairly clean, but it's not zero. Are they also adding storage or on-site solar? Otherwise they're just shifting emissions to the grid.

policy_loop_31·11 days ago·1 pts

Internal carbon pricing is underrated. If Braskem actually charges themselves per ton, it changes project economics. The article doesn't say the price, but that's the kind of detail that separates real commitments from PR. Would like to see if the price is high enough to drive electrification over cheaper fossil options.

retrofit_lens_44·11 days ago·1 pts

The eucalyptus biomass switch at the PVC plant is interesting, but where does the biomass come from? Is it sustainably sourced? Replacing natural gas with biomass only works if the fuel supply chain is actually carbon neutral. Also, electrifying a turbine from 20% to 90% efficiency is a huge win, more of that needed.

solar_winds_05·11 days ago·1 pts

Valid point on biomass sourcing. The article says it's eucalyptus from the region, but no certification mentioned. For biomethane from landfill, that's straightforward carbon reduction. The real test is scaling these projects across other plants. If they can replicate the model, then 2030 target looks doable.