Braskem, the largest Polyolefins producer in the Americas and a global leader in biopolymers, and Ardent Process Technologies today announced a major leap forward in polyolefin production efficiency with the successful culmination of their joint development program for an innovative olefin-paraffin separation technology.
Braskem, the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas and a global leader in biopolymers, and Ardent Process Technologies today announced a major leap forward in polyolefin production efficiency with the successful culmination of their joint development program for an innovative olefin-paraffin separation technology. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone, setting the stage for the commercial implementation of Ardent's patented Optiperm membrane technology across Braskem's facilities.
The collaboration, initiated in November 2020, focused on the rigorous development and testing of the Optiperm membrane system at a dedicated demonstration unit located within Braskem's operational footprint. Over the past four and a half years, the joint team meticulously evaluated the technology, with the development program successfully meeting all critical performance metrics. This includes demonstrating exceptional membrane efficiency, robust durability under operational conditions, and consistent operational stability, validating the technology's readiness for large-scale application.
"The successful pilot program unequivocally demonstrates the tremendous potential of this technology to revolutionize olefin-paraffin separation processes," stated Bill Charlton, COO of Ardent and the project's leading figure. "We are immensely excited to advance hand-in-hand with Braskem towards full commercial implementation, transforming an energy-intensive process into a more efficient and sustainable one."
Following the overwhelmingly positive results from the pilot program, Braskem has solidified its commitment to integrating this groundbreaking technology into its commercial operations. Engineering and design work for the inaugural commercial installation have already commenced, underscoring the companies' confidence in the Optiperm membrane technology’s ability to deliver significant operational and environmental benefits.
Gus Hutras, Global Process Technology Director at Braskem, emphasized the strategic importance of this advancement. "This technology represents a significant step forward in our unwavering commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions across our production processes," said Hutras. "The successful pilot results are in perfect alignment with our overarching vision of transforming the chemicals and plastics industry through continuous innovation, while simultaneously advancing our ambitious goals towards achieving carbon neutrality. We are thrilled to be moving this breakthrough technology from successful piloting to full-scale commercial implementation."
Ardent's Optiperm membrane technology platform is designed to provide scalable, bolt-on solutions for a variety of complex chemical separations, including carbon capture, by leveraging advanced membrane systems. The company boasts over two decades of manufacturing expertise spanning diverse sectors such as power generation, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and oil and gas operations. Ardent has a proven track record of successfully transitioning new technologies from the laboratory to real-world field deployment, partnering with global industry leaders like Braskem, Chevron, and Pfizer to deliver end-to-end solutions at commercial scale.
