Braskem invests more than R$ 5 million to double ETBE production

In order to meet the growing global demand for sustainable solutions, Braskem has doubled its ETBE production (Ethyl Tert-Butyl Ether) in Brazil, a bioadditive for automotive gasoline that improves its performance and is produced partly with ethanol. For this action, the company invested more than R$ 5 million in the conversion of its MTBE unit (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether), at the Triunfo Complex, located in Rio Grande do Sul, including adjustments to the plant, asset recovery, and the acquisition of a sieve to receive hydrous ethanol, raw material to be used as a substitute for methanol.

ETBE, which has been produced at the Camaçari Complex, in Bahia, since 2009, is obtained by reacting ethanol (43%) with isobutene (57%). As it contains raw material from renewable sources, the solution represents a sustainable alternative to MTBE, component used in the composition of gasoline in several countries, which is produced from methanol.

Considering the Renovacalc ethanol premise, the method used by the Renovabio program, and considering standard ANP conversion factors (National Petroleum Agency), for each ton of ETBE produced, the estimated emission of 847 kg of CO2 is avoided, when compared to MTBE. This way, the solution contributes to mitigate climate change, in addition to meeting the sustainability criteria of the most demanding markets.

“The option for ETBE is the result of studies Braskem has conducted over the past few years to find a sustainable alternative for octane boosters used in gasoline composition and also reinforces our commitment to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions, in line with Braskem’s macro-objectives,” explains Cirilo Vieira, Braskem’s Director of Fuel Business.

“In addition to the benefits related to sustainability, the volume doubling meets growing customer demand for ETBE, a product that meets the requirements for compliance with biofuel mandates in different markets, mainly in countries in Europe and Asia. Furthermore, the increase in volume generates competitive advantage and reinforces Braskem’s relevance as a global player in this segment,” comments Eduardo Camelyer, Commercial Manager of Blendstocks, LPG and Fuel Oil at Braskem.18