Braskem Chosen to Negotiate Terms of 50 Million-Dollar Award from U.S. Department of Energy

Lithium-Ion Batteries Braskem Chosen to Negotiate Terms of 50 Million-Dollar Award from U.S. Department of Energy

2024-09-25 Source: Press release Braskem 2 min Reading Time

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The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains has selected Braskem to negotiate terms of a 50 million-dollar award under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With this huge funding, Braskem aims to expand its ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production capabilities in Texas in order to cater to the lithium-ion battery separator market.

This landmark funding would expand Braskem's ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production capabilities in La Porte, Texas, specifically targeting the lithium-ion battery separator market.(Source: Copyright © 2017 - Braskem/Mauricio Ramirez) — This landmark funding would expand Braskem's ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene production capabilities in La Porte, Texas, specifically targeting the lithium-ion battery separator market.
(Source: Copyright © 2017 - Braskem/Mauricio Ramirez)

São Paulo/Brazil – 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-dollar award under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This landmark funding would expand Braskem's ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (Uhmwpe) production capabilities in La Porte, Texas, specifically targeting the lithium-ion battery separator (Libs) market.

Braskem sells Uhmwpe under the trade name Utec. By driving innovation in Utec technology, this project would strengthen the lithium-ion battery value chain in the United States and is expected to generate over 250 skilled jobs across engineering, procurement, construction, and start-up phases.

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Mark Nikolich, CEO of Braskem America, commented, "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. 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."

Utec has superior chemical stability, corrosion resistance, tensile strength, thermal stability, and porosity, making it the ideal material 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 high density polyethylene (HDPE) resins, Utec also offers unparalleled performance across a wide range of additional demanding applications in the following industries: construction, agriculture, material handling, transportation, textile, pulp, and paper, food and beverage, mining, marine, porous plastics, oil and gas, high-performance fibers, and wastewater treatment.

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