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Braskem America Introduces Bio-Circular Polypropylene for Snack Food Industry

The new product is derived from used cooking oil (UCO) and is a significant step toward a more sustainable economy, helping to displace fossil fuels.

Kristen Kazarian, Managing Editor

September 16, 2024

1 Min Read
The material can be used in a wide variety of applications
The new material is suited for use in food packaging, flexible packaging (such as films), and more.Liudmila Chernetska/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

Braskem America has launched a bio-circular polypropylene (PP), which it sells under the brand name WENEW.

WENEW is a groundbreaking advancement in sustainability for the restaurant and snack food industries. Derived from used cooking oil (UCO), the certified bio-circular ISCC Plus mass-balanced product represents a significant step toward a more sustainable economy, helping to displace fossil fuels.

Braskem’s bio-circular PP is designed to promote circularity in the food industry by repurposing UCO. This approach not only reduces the reliance on fossil fuels but also supports environmental sustainability. Bio-circular PP is identical to traditional PP in properties and performance, ensuring a seamless transition for our clients.

“Our bio-circular PP is currently being supplied to various converters which support the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry," said Bill Diebold, vice president, Braskem America Polyolefins. "Ideal users include QSR chains, retail food suppliers, traditional restaurants, and snack food companies — especially those seeking to enhance circularity from their cooking oil usage.

The new sustainable material is suited for a wide range of applications, including food packaging, flexible packaging (such as films), and consumer goods Diebold added.

Bio-circular PP addresses critical environmental concerns by displacing fossil-based sources of propylene and promoting circularity. UCO is collected and repurposed upstream to produce certified bio-circular ISCC Plus propylene. Braskem has partnered with several suppliers in the value chain who, through their production facilities, convert bio-circular feedstock into polypropylene, creating a sustainable loop.

As a mass-balanced product, Braskem’s bio-circular PP retains the same properties and performance as traditional PP, allowing continuous integration into existing downstream converter production and end-of-life recycling processes.

About the Author

Kristen Kazarian

Managing Editor

Kristen Kazarian has been a writer and editor for more than three decades. She has worked at several consumer magazines and B2B publications in the fields of food and beverage, packaging, processing, women's interest, local news, health and nutrition, fashion and beauty, automotive, and computers.

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