Braskem and Ledesma launch 100% sustainable notebooks in Argentina

Braskem, the largest thermoplastic resins producer in the Americas and the world’s leading biopolymer producer, and Ledesma , the leading producer of natural agroindustrial products, have created Ledesma +Bio, a line of 100% sustainable notebooks made entirely from sugarcane. 

An innovation in the industry, the cover and back cover of the notebooks are made from bioplastics derived from I’m green^TM polyethylene . Meanwhile, the paper of the notebooks is made from sugarcane bagasse and has a natural color, since no chemical bleachers are used, which means even more environmental protection.

For its new product, Ledesma garnered the award “ Sustainable Product of the Year 2019 ” from the Business Intelligence Group . 

First 100% sustainable product in stationary industry is made from green plastic

Produced by Braskem, Green Polyethylene is a plastic resin that uses sugarcane as its raw material, resulting in a negative carbon balance in the process, since sugarcane is a renewable resource that captures 3.09 tons of carbon dioxide from the air during its cultivation. That contributes to its regeneration and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which enables the sugarcane to be cultivated again. 

Green Plastic can be adopted in the same recycling chains as fossil-based polyethylene. The product was the first biopolymer produced on a global industrial scale. 

 “The Ledesma +Bio line is the first 100% sustainable product in the stationery industry. This product is special because 95% of its covers and back covers and 100% of its sheets were made from sugarcane. In addition, its sheets have a natural color because they are free from chemical bleachers,” explained Ledesma’s product director, Maria Miglio.

According to Rafaela Baldin, Renewables account manager at Braskem, the collaborative project is part of Braskem’s commitment to caring for the environment and to fostering the Circular Economy , which characterizes and guides the company’s production activities. “Braskem uses materials made from sugarcane to create sustainable products. The creation of the Ledesma +Bio line represents our sustainability values and our commitment to market players seeking environmentally friendly alternatives,” she noted.

The Brazilian company Confetti is responsible for transforming Braskem’s Green Plastic into recyclable sheets and plastic covers. Director Carlos Rettmann said the bioplastic has the same characteristics and can be adopted in the same recycling chains as fossil-based polyethylene (naphtha). Confetti transforms the plastic resin produced by Braskem and, using special machinery, extrudes and transforms the Green Polyethylene into plastic sheets to predefined measurements, thickness and texture.

 “The creation of Ledesma +Bio is a very important milestone, since Green Plastic is the world’s first biopolymer produced on an industrial scale. It is aligned with market trends because it is 100% derived from a green and renewable source,” said Rettmann.

In 2018, Braskem launched its commitment to the Circular Economy. Green Plastic has been produced since 2010 and is part of Braskem’s solutions to close the plastic cycles to contribute to the development of the Circular Economy.

For more information, go to www.plasticoverde.braskem.com.br . 

About Ledesma
Ledesma S.A.A.I (Industrial Agricultural Corporation) is an Argentine-owned agroindustrial company that employs 8,000 people, is a leader in the national sugar and paper markets and holds important interests in the fruit and citrus juice, meat and cereal, ethanol and bioethanol industries. Ledesma has over 50 years of experience in producing paper from sugarcane in the Argentine province of Jujuy.

About Confetti
Confetti Indústria e Comercio Ltda. is a company founded in 1982 in São Paulo, Brazil. It operates in the markets of stationery products and production of plastic sheets.