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Braskem has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains to negotiate terms of a $50-million award under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will expand Braskem’s ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) production capabilities in La Porte, Texas, specifically targeting the lithium-ion battery separator (LIBS) market.

By driving innovation in Braskem’s Utec UHMWPE technology, this project would strengthen the lithium-ion battery value chain in the U.S. and is expected to generate more than 250 skilled jobs across engineering, procurement, construction and startup phases. Utec UHMWPE is known for its superior chemical stability, corrosion resistance, tensile strength, thermal stability and porosity, making it well suited for lightweight electric vehicle battery separators, helping improve battery charging efficiency and ultimately reducing carbon emissions.

With a molecular weight roughly 10 times higher than standard HDPE resins, Utec is also said to offer unparalleled performance across a wide range of additional demanding applications in the other industries, including construction, agriculture, material handling, transportation, and food and beverage.

“Braskem is honored to be selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to negotiate this award as we look to help drive further momentum in U.S. battery manufacturing capabilities,” says Mark Nikolich, Braskem America CEO. “This award would not only accelerate our ability to meet the growing demands of our North American clients but also solidify our commitment to powering the electrification revolution with domestically produced, world-class UHMWPE. This funding would be a critical catalyst for the ongoing growth and success of our clients.”