Geleen, The Netherlands, May 5, 2021 – One of Braskem’s main businesses is solvents, and to leverage this segment, is now collaborating with Dutch-based company NXTLEVVEL Biochem for studies on marketing solutions made from renewable raw materials. The agreement began in January and will be concluded in nine months.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, NXTLEVVEL is a joint venture company bringing together the industrial expertise of Towell Engineering Group with advanced proprietary technology developed by GFBiochemicals. The company has vast experience in high-performance solutions in sustainable chemistry that, combined with Braskem’s efforts and dedication in developing chemical products, will be the starting point for further expanding Braskem’s solvents portfolio for Latin America.
Fabio Barbosa, director of the Solvents business at Braskem, explains that the partnership encompasses solutions for segments such as paint and coatings, agrochemicals, homecare, personal care, and industrial and institutional cleaning. “Our goal is to join forces to advance our strategy to diversify our feedstock profile and build a more sustainable world, while expanding our presence in the market,” he said.
“NXTLEVVEL and Braskem are collaborating to identify markets for derivatives of levulinic acid by leveraging the strength of our technology along with Braskem’s market leading position in solvents,” commented Aris de Rijke, CEO of NXTLEVVEL Biochem. “NXTLEVVEL’s technology is highly innovative, proprietary and, for the first time, allows production of levulinate derivatives at industrial scale. The cornerstone is the patented biomass-derived levulinic acid technology and its esters, that enables the affordable production of biobased solvents and other biobased chemicals”, de Rijke notes.
In addition to seeking to be the representative in Latin America for NXTLEVVEL’s products, Braskem remains committed to developing proprietary renewable solvents. The solvents market in Latin America registers annual sales of 1.5 million tons, with approximately 55% of this volume sold in Brazil, where Braskem already holds a 25 % market share.
With a global vision of the future, oriented towards people and sustainability, Braskem is engaged in contributing to the value chain in order to strengthen the Circular Economy. Its 8,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improving people’s lives through sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics. With its corporate DNA rooted in innovation, Braskem offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse industries, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health and hygiene, and more. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, United States, Mexico and Germany and net revenue of R$58.5 billion (US$11.3 billion), Braskem exports its products to clients in over 100 countries.
A privately held company headquartered in The Netherlands, NXTLEVVEL is a commercial scale manufacturer of next generation biomass-derived chemicals. As a joint venture formed in 2018, NXTLEVVEL brings together the industrial expertise of the Towell Engineering Group (Sultanate of Oman) with advanced technology developed by GFBiochemicals. GFBiochemicals was founded in 2008 and holds 200 patents for its world leading proprietary technology in bio-solvents, polyols, and plasticizers based on levulinic acid. Levulinic acid is considered a key bio-based building block that enables the production of an extensive portfolio of derivatives.
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For Braskem media relations, please contact:
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For NXTLEVVEL media relations, please contact:
Steve Block – steve.block@nxtlevvel.com
+1-989-859-2309