[Foto: Rafael Campos / Governo do RJ]
Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro visited Braskem’s industrial complex in Duque de Caxias, located in the Baixada Fluminense region, on Tuesday (June 3). During the meeting, company executives presented a new project featuring a R$ 4.3 billion investment to expand polyethylene production capacity, with operations slated to begin in 2028.
According to the company, the new plant will add 230,000 metric tons of annual capacity and is expected to generate over 7,500 direct and indirect jobs, making it one of the largest projects in the Brazilian petrochemical industry in recent decades.
The site visit was attended by state cabinet secretaries, Duque de Caxias Mayor Netinho Reis, and Braskem executives. The governor toured the facility and reviewed new projects reinforcing Rio de Janeiro’s position in the sector.
During the event, Braskem showcased innovative technologies to be deployed, including low-carbon furnaces and Latin America’s first-of-their-kind solutions for carbon reduction. The project also incorporates protocols ensuring the exclusive use of recycled water across all industrial operations at the unit through a partnership with water utility Aegea.
“Our industry is our heritage. We must strengthen the petrochemical sector. Rio is Brazil’s energy capital and has made progress across multiple agendas. We are restructuring the state economy and have created nearly 120,000 jobs over the last 12 months,” Governor Cláudio Castro stated.
The initiative is part of the Transforma Rio program. According to Stefan Lanna Lepeck, Vice President of South American Operations at Braskem, it represents a strategic opportunity to competitively expand polyethylene supply, modernize operations, and deepen the company’s footprint in the state.
“It was an excellent opportunity to strengthen dialogue with the Government of Rio de Janeiro. The Transforma Rio program will allow us to modernize our operations with cutting-edge technology,” Lepeck noted.
The petrochemical industry plays a pivotal role in the state economy. Rio de Janeiro accounts for 88% of Brazil’s national oil output and 79% of its natural gas production, while contributing over 17% of national tax revenues—totaling R$ 459 billion annually.
