Recently, Brazil′s Braskem announced that its board of directors has approved a BRL 4.2 billion capacity expansion plan. The project will add a new 220,000 tons/year ethane-to-ethylene production capacity and supporting polyethylene (PE) plant construction at its production base in Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro.

According to data from S&P Global Commodity Insights, the ethane cracker at the Duque de Caxias production base currently has an ethylene production capacity of 520,000 tons/year, with supporting high-density polyethylene and linear low-density polyethylene production units in operation. The project is expected to be completed and put into operation by the end of 2028. Braskem stated in a declaration: "The funds for this project need to obtain additional financing support based on the already approved Special Investment Regime for the Chemical Industry funds for the 2025-2026 period, and this financing strategy is an important part of the company′s capital structure optimization plan."

In addition to this base, Braskem also operates two mixed-feedstock crackers and three naphtha steam crackers at other plants in Brazil, with a combined ethylene production capacity of 3.2 million tons/year. The company also has a green ethylene production capacity of 260,000 tons/year using sugarcane ethanol as raw material.