Technological watch

Braskem has announced the use of construction blocks containing the Center for Regenerative Design & Collaboration's (CRDC) RESIN8TM post-consumer plastic waste technology in the expansion of Braskem's Innovation and Technology (I&T) Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
CRDC's RESIN8 TM Blocks for Concrete Replacement
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 TM 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.
Committing to a Circular Economy
Mark Nikolich, Braskem America CEO, commented, "We are proud to be the first to use CRDC's RESIN8TM 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. 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."
Eight New Laboratories to Re-use Post-consumer Plastics
The renovation of Braskem's I&T Center, including eight new laboratories, will enhance the company's global cutting-edge research in chemical recycling and the re-use of post-consumer plastics. Braskem is at the forefront of this research at their I&T Centers in the U.S. and Brazil. Braskem's I&T Center in Pittsburgh has been honored as a Top Workplaces Award winner for six consecutive years by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's annual list of Top Workplaces, including receiving the prestigious award seven out of the last eight years.
Zero-waste Approach
Donald Thomson, Founder and Chairman of CRDC, says, "RESIN8TM is a working example of the Circular Economy that has the potential to scale globally. 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 TM technology."