Braskem presents sustainable plastic solutions for agribusiness at Agrishow 2022

Seeking to encourage Brazilian agribusiness and establish a closer relationship with farmers, Braskem is present at Agrishow 2022, considered one of the largest agricultural technology fairs in Brazil and the world. The event takes place between April 25th and 29th, in Ribeirão Preto (SP).

At its 600 m² stand, Braskem has a team of experts available to visitors to guide and present innovative and sustainable chemical and plastic solutions for agribusiness. These are products that add value by protecting crops or livestock, reducing costs and increasing productivity and income.

“We want to show how plastic can be an innovative material and an ally for agribusiness”, says Karen Pallone, leader of the Agroindustry, Construction & Infrastructure markets at Braskem. “This is a very important sector for the Brazilian economy, as it represents around 20% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and generates 37% of jobs in the country. Taking into account this representation and the contribution of plastic to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, we want to encourage the development of the chain, the generation of new businesses and show the public the plastic solutions we produce for this market, so that the rural producers see the benefits they can add to their businesses.”

One of the standout solutions is the Silo Bolsa, a flexible plastic tunnel (polyethylene - PE) developed to store grains, silage and by-products. Created in an oxygen-free atmosphere that prevents the spread of pests and insects, the product maintains grain quality for up to 12 months and features ease of installation, low cost and batch segregation. It allows the farmer to have more space for cultivation, as part of the area previously allocated for storage is freed up.

The estimate for the 2021/2022 Brazilian grain harvest is an increase of 5,4% compared to the previous harvest. The constant growth observed in the sector influenced the increase in demand for silo bags by approximately 12% in 2021.

“Plastic is a resistant, flexible, reusable and recyclable material, characteristics that allow us to produce a series of different low-cost and versatile solutions, including for the field” explains Karen.

Another Braskem solution that should catch the attention of Agrishow visitors is Anti Insect for Banana, the only film of its kind that does not require the application of insecticides available on the Brazilian market. This product contains an anti-UV additive in its formulation that interferes with the vision of insects, causing them to move away from the fruit. It is a solution that, even without the use of insecticides, significantly reduces the attack of thrips (insects) on the bunch and contributes to the production of bananas with better visual quality.

Braskem will also present Fence Spacers, which are pieces made of polypropylene plastic (PP) to fit fence wires, maintaining the correct spacing, preventing the passage of animals and delimiting areas. They are weather resistant, providing low maintenance costs and greater durability compared to wood and wire solutions. It also offers low labor costs and reduced fence assembly time due to its exclusive fitting system.

Still on the innovation front, Braskem also offers Wrap, which is made of high-adhesion polyethylene, protecting the pre-dried silage that will be used to feed dairy and beef cattle. This solution maintains the nutritional value of the food for up to 12 months and is easy to transport and move. Furthermore, there are no storage costs, as it can be kept in the field.

“Based on the relevance of agribusiness, the applications of plastic and chemistry in agriculture are one of the main businesses for Braskem. The company constantly invests in solutions and technologies to support the advancement of agricultural activities. Our portfolio presents several solutions for companies from different sector chains, made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and PVC that help in protected cultivation, storage, irrigation and infrastructure”, says Karen.

Support for startups and incentives for agribusiness

To support the development of new solutions for agribusiness, Braskem is also taking the startups Decoy Smart Control, Autoponia and Nucleário to the fair - the latter accelerated by Braskem Labs, a startup acceleration program that encourages the creation of innovative solutions capable of to generate positive socio-environmental impact.

At the event, Decoy Smart Control will present its solution for biological control of ticks in cattle, Autoponia its hydroponics automation system and Nucleário its product aimed at reforestation areas.

Braskem invests in research and technology to find the best plastic solutions for agribusiness. Still within the scope of supporting startups, this year the company signed a partnership with AgTech Garage, an innovation hub that promotes connections between large companies, startups and educational institutions, with the aim of facilitating and accelerating the development of technological solutions and innovative solutions for agribusiness. With the initiative, Braskem intends, through open innovation, to promote the development of sustainable and innovative plastic solutions for agribusiness. 

Another Braskem initiative to encourage the sector is its partnership with FAPESP to open the Plasticulture Research Center, based at UNICAMP. The location will be used to develop studies involving plastic solutions in polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC that guarantee greater efficiency and sustainability in rural production. The project will receive investments of up to R$ 1,6 million per year, in contributions that will be divided between the company and the educational institution to fund master's, doctorate, post-doctoral and scientific initiation scholarships, purchase of consumable materials necessary for conducting research (reagents, fertilizer and seedlings) and permanent materials (greenhouses that will be used for testing), among other items.