Braskem, one of the largest polyolefins producers in the Americas and leading producers of biopolymers in the world, announced the use of construction blocks containing the Center for Regenerative Design & Collaboration's (CRDC) RESIN8 post-consumer plastic waste technology in the expansion of Braskem's world-class Innovation and Technology (I&T) Center in Pittsburgh.

The Center for Regenerative Design & Collaboration, based in Costa Rica with operations in the U.S. and South Africa, produced the blocks utilized by Braskem at Fizzano Brothers Concrete Products in Philadelphia, integrating a concrete aggregate replacement made from post-consumer plastic waste. The use of CRDC's RESIN8 blocks creates demand for formerly landfill-bound mixed plastics and diverts plastic waste from otherwise escaping waste collection and going back into the environment. Not only do the blocks have additional strength and the same certifications as traditional concrete blocks, but they also weigh less, which helps reduce their carbon impact and lowers the cost of shipping in the transportation process.

"We are proud to be the first to use CRDC's RESIN8 blocks in North America. As part of our unending commitment to a circular economy, Braskem believes that when plastics are used and discarded responsibly, they are essential for the life of our planet," said Mark Nikolich, Braskem America CEO, in a statement. "Innovations in plastics recycling such as this are important for the proper management of plastic waste, which allows us to continue leveraging the benefits of plastics while diverting these materials from the environment. We are excited to have a partner like CRDC that is innovating with plastic waste and provides us this opportunity to act sustainably in the redevelopment of our I&T Center."

The renovation of Braskem's I&T Center, including eight new laboratories, will enhance the company's global research in chemical recycling and the reuse of post-consumer plastics. Braskem is at the forefront of this research at its I&T Centers in the U.S. and Brazil. 

"RESIN8 is a working example of the circular economy that has the potential to scale globally," said Donald Thomson, founder and chairman of CRDC, in a statement. "We are successfully transitioning the plastic waste stream into an appreciating value stream for the concrete, construction and housing industries. We take a zero waste approach to resource management, which fosters a co-existence with our natural environment and provides measurable societal and financial yields. CRDC is honored to be working with Braskem and thanks them for the opportunity to showcase our RESIN8 technology."

With a global vision focused on the future, Braskem works every day to improve people's lives by creating sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics through innovation. This announcement directly supports Braskem's overall vision that 100 percent of plastic packaging be reused, recycled or recovered by 2040.