Braskem Invests in Nexus Circular to Increase Advanced Recycling Efforts

Braskem has invested in Nexus, a provider of advanced recycling that converts landfill-bound plastics into circular feedstocks used in the production of sustainable virgin plastics.  

Using a proprietary advanced recycling technology, Nexus converts a range of hard-to-recycle plastics especially landfill bound plastic films into its circular feedstocks which can then be converted back into virgin plastic. In a 2021 Q&A with Plastics Technology, Nexus founder and CEO Jeff Gold explained the company’s main technology offering:

“The Nexus technology is based on thermal depolymerization of incoming waste plastics within a pyrolysis reactor. The system includes a front end that manages and sorts incoming materials and is able to process a variety of waste plastics including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Our system is able to accept and remove controlled levels of contamination such as paper, cardboard, moisture, and plastics like PET and PVC that do not convert to oil. Our approach is focused on achieving and maintaining a high energy and operational efficiency to attain the low CAPEX and OPEX which characterizes our commercial-scale system.”

Braskem says it is strongly committed to a Carbon Neutral Circular Economy where nothing is wasted, and everything is transformed. To support this vision for the future Braskem has clearly stated targets for growing the company's recycled content product portfolio to sales of 300,000 tons by 2025 and 1 million tons by 2030. Braskem' transition to a circular economy is deeply rooted in mechanical and advanced recycling solutions. 

"At Braskem we have a clear, long-term vision which is committed to a Carbon Neutral Circular Economy where nothing is wasted, and everything is transformed,” said Mark Nikolich, CEO, Braskem America. “A critical element of achieving this vision is investing in pathways that advance the circular conversion of hard-to-recycle plastic waste to valuable new materials, diverting it from landfills and improving our environmental footprint. Nexus shares our vision for accelerating the commercialization of advanced recycling with their own proprietary innovations and we couldn't be more excited to be a new investor in their journey."   

In addition to the expansion of Braskem's recycled product portfolio in 2021, Braskem is also a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, The Recycling Partnership's Polypropylene Recycling Coalition and Cyclyx.