Site

Green belt surrounding the Petrochemical Complex 2

Historical Ownership and Evolution

The Braskem Triunfo Petrochemical Complex (Polo Petroquímico de Triunfo) was originally developed as a state-owned project starting in 1975. Copesul (Companhia Petroquímica do Sul) was created as a Petroquisa/Petrobrás subsidiary and began operations in 1982. The complex was privatized in February 1992, with control passing to Odebrecht and Ipiranga groups. Braskem, founded by Odebrecht in 2002, acquired full control of the Copesul complex in 2007 and now controls 80% of the Polo Petroquímico de Triunfo assets. 

Production Activities and Capacities

Chemicals Unit (Q 2 RS)

The Triunfo complex produces basic petrochemicals and thermoplastic resins including ethylene, polyethylene, propylene, polypropylene, benzene, and butadiene. Key capacity data includes:​

• Ethylene: 1.252 million metric tons per year from conventional naphtha cracking​
• Green Ethylene: 260,000 metric tons per year from sugarcane ethanol (expanded from 200,000 mt/y in 2023)​
• Polyethylene: Multiple units (PE 4, PE 5, PE 6) producing LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, and bio-based Green PE​
• Polypropylene: Two units (PP 1 and PP 2) at Lote 4

Braskem is Brazil’s sole manufacturer of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), the most widely used polymers. Its market share in 2023 for PE stood at 56% and for PP at 70%. Brazil’s PP production capacity is nearly 2 million tonnes/year. Braskem's PE capacity is about 3 million tonnes/year, with 41% (approx. 1.23 million tonnes/year) being high density polyethylene (HDPE), 33% (approx 1 million tonnes/year) being linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and 26% (approx. 770,000 tonnes/year) being low density polyethylene (LDPE). The Triunfo complex, meanwhile, is key for the country’s polymers supply chain, accounting for nearly 37% (approx. 740,000 tonnes/year) of Brazil’s PP capacity and 40% (approx. 1.2 million tonnes/year) of PE capacity. 

Featured: Aromatics and Olefins plant of the Chemicals Unit (Q 2 RS)

Technologies

The complex utilizes Braskem's proprietary technology for green ethylene production from ethanol, which was developed in-house and commissioned in 2010, with subsequent expansion in 2023. The polymerization process converts both conventional and bio-based ethylene into various polyethylene grades using Braskem's existing plants in the Triunfo Complex. The facility also houses the Triunfo Innovation & Technology Center for research and development activities.

Braskem's BRK Green Ethanol-to-Ethylene Plant at Triunfo RS, Brazil Facility
Credit: Case Story - uptime megazine (Jan 2013)

References

1. Braskem around the world. Braskem
2. Braskem Rio Grande do Sul old (Feb 28, 2025). Braskem
3. Last edited: Nov 3, 2025. Braskem Triunfo Petrochemical Complex. Global Energy Monitor
4. Updated: May 20, 2024. Petrochemicals complex profile: Braskem Triunfo Complex, Brazil. Offshore Technology
5. May 20, 2024. Brazil’s Braskem restarts Triunfo facilities after flooding. HERO Chemical
6. Sep 27, 2010. Braskem inaugura fábrica de eteno verde em Triunfo-RS e assume a liderança global em biopolímeros. Braskem
7. Jul 27, 2023. Braskem expands its biopolymer production by 30% following an investment of US$ 87 million. Braskem