Braskem (Sao Paulo / Brazil; www.braskem.com.br) shut down its PET unit at the Camaçari petrochemical complex in Brazil at the end of 2008 and has withdrawn from the PET business. The deactivation of the unit will not lead to any dismissals. Moreover, Braskem will ensure the supply of PET resin until, at least, April 2009.

In May 2007, the company announced the shut-down of its DMT production unit and the temporary suspension of PET production, both of which were located in the petrochemical complex. Braskem said that following a study it was decided that restarting PET production on a competitive basis was not viable. The closure of the unit will not lead to any job losses, it added.