Braskem expands U.S. propylene supply import capabilities

Braskem, the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, and Repauno Port & Rail Terminal announced Thursday that they had completed the first propylene import to the U.S. East Coast in more than a decade.

The vessel arrived at Repauno’s Gibbstown, N.J. multi-use port terminal and will allow Braskem to further enhance its feedstock optionality to its polypropylene manufacturing facility in Marcus Hook, Pa.

“Our new partnership with Repauno provides Braskem with increased flexibility and optionality to import propylene, particularly when international prices are competitive,” Alexandre Elias, VP Polypropylene, Braskem America, said. “Additionally, it provides the flexibility to import in the event of supply disruptions to the asset. I am extremely proud of our team for bringing this opportunity to fruition and successfully completing the import delivery.”

The Marcus Hook facility annually produces 415 kilotons of polypropylene, used in medical, automotive, food packaging, and appliance industries. Since its acquisition by Braskem in 2010, the plant has expanded its production capacity by 25 percent through multiple improvement projects. In 2020, the Marcus Hook manufacturing team members lived on-site at the facility for 28 days to ensure the continuous production of raw material to produce medical personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N-95 masks, medical gowns, and other healthcare packaging caps and closures.