Braskem promotes textile industry’s plastics chain through action at SPFW N46

Braskem is committed to supporting its production chain through actions that promote the versatility of plastics and its innumerous applications, as well as the importance of the use of post-consumer waste and recycling.

To expand the perception of the potential of plastics applications in the textile industry and to give opportunities to new talent, Braskem and fashion designer Patricia Bonaldi joined forces to challenge students from Belas Artes, FAAP, Centro Universitário Senac, Anhembi Morumbi and IED with a contest to create the best collection that conveys the lightness and femininity of the PatBo brand and draws on the innovation and sustainability of Braskem’s plastics. The winning piece was included in the designer’s fashion show on October 23, during the most important week for Brazil’s fashion industry.

Plastics in fashion

In the textile industry, thermoplastic resins, such as polyester, acrylic, elastane, polyamide, nylon, Lycra, viscose and acetate, are widely used in fabrics. Polypropylene (PP), which offers various characteristics and benefits, including its low cost, is emerging as yet another option.

PP was chosen as the raw material for the challenge given its characteristics, which include durability, resistance and lightweight, enabling designers to go beyond their usual concepts. In addition to its technical characteristics, it also has advantages when it comes to environmental performance: in addition to being 100% recyclable, polypropylene is dyed by adding dyes or pigments directly to the dry-yarning process, which saves water.

Supporting the production chain

To ensure the action’s feasibility, Braskem drew on the support of two important partners: Profil, a Brazilian textile producer that is the leader in polypropylene and polyester multifilament threads, which is responsible for making the yarn; and Berlan, a Brazilian knitwear manufacturer with 60 years of operations, which is responsible for making the fabric using the PP yarns.

The product is an alternative to the fibers commonly used by knitwear manufacturers, such as acrylics, viscose and cotton. The main advantages of articles made from polypropylene are lightweight, more intense, fade-resistant colors, resistance to pilling and no water absorption. Polypropylene articles also dry more easily, which promotes the dispersion of transpiration, and its fibers are anti-allergic and anti-mold.

The participation of these three companies in the project reinforces the importance of developing and promoting the plastics chain, which paves the way for engaging various companies in the creation of innovative and sustainable solutions.