Brazilian petrochemical company Braskem has partnered with Siemens for the $160m project of modernizing the electricity system at the ABC Petrochemical Complex, in São Paulo.

14Feb - Barskem

Image: Braskem Siemens joins for modernizing the ABC Petrochemical Complex electricity system. Photo: Courtesy of Braskem.

The investment at the project is intended to provide the technological update of the system that serves the cracker, which is responsible for the production of raw materials for the chemical and plastic sectors at the petrochemical complex.

The modernization of the unit includes exchange of steam-based turbines with high-efficiency electric motors, supported by a new cogeneration plant fueled by residual gas from the petrochemical production process.

Braskem Chemicals unit southeast region chief industrial officer Luís Pazin said: “This project is an example of the great efforts employed by Braskem in the search for greater operational excellence, in addition to reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development.

“With the combined cogeneration of electricity and gas, we will consume less energy and emit even fewer greenhouse gases. The estimate is for an 11.4% reduction in the unit’s water consumption and a 6.3% reduction in CO2 emissions.”

The investment is expected to start this year and the completion of modernization project is scheduled for 2021. The funds required for the project will be provided by Braskem in partnership with Siemens.

Under a long-term contract, Siemens will build and operate the high-efficiency cogeneration system.

Braskem chief energy officer Gustavo Checcucci said: “This agreement is a clear demonstration that Braskem has been searching for creative business models to improve its competitiveness.”

For this project, Siemens will be responsible for implementation and operation of an electric and steam cogeneration plant with advanced technology solutions for 15 years.

Siemens Brazil general manager Yuri Sanches said: “Braskem’s confidence in defining Siemens as a strategic partner for this challenging project is a result of our technological and operational capability, which coupled with the attractiveness of the innovative BOO (Build, Own and Operate) model, ensures that Braskem can focus its resources on the business , leaving Siemens with the responsibility for making the necessary investments in the engineering, implementation, operation and maintenance of the Cogeneration Plant.”