RheTech, Inc. develops biocomposite using Braskem Green Polyethylene

26 September 2012

RheTech, Inc. has developed a new grade of biocomposite using sugarcane-based, high-density polyethylene supplied by Braskem, the largest thermoplastic resins producer in the Americas and a leader in biopolymers. The new grade adds to RheTech’s line of RheVision biocomposites for application in the automotive, consumer and construction industries.

We wanted to take advantage of Braskem’s development of a renewable-based polyethylene to create a product that uses bio fiber and a green polymer. This is our first green biocomposite to enter the marketplace and we are very excited to work with our customer base to bring this product to OEMs and consumers.

Our initial product offering uses our wood fiber in combination with the sugar cane-based, high-density polyethylene. This compound’s physical properties allow us to potentially penetrate new markets and applications. We will continue to develop products with our other fibers that we are commercial with today, including rice hulls, agave, flax and coconut shell.

—Jim Preston, RheTech vice president of Business Development

Braskem is the Americas’ top thermoplastic resins producer. With 35 industrial plants spread across Brazil, United States and Germany, the company produces more than 35 billion pounds of thermoplastic resins and other petrochemicals per year. Braskem is also the world’s leading biopolymers producer with its 440 million pound Green PE plant that produces polyethylene from sugarcane-based ethanol.

RheTech, Inc. is a leading producer of filled and reinforced polypropylenes and color concentrates and additives for the automotive, truck, electronics, construction, and consumer markets. RheVision is a line of bio-reinforced polyolefins that currently uses wood, rice hull, flax, agave and coconut shell waste as reinforcement.