Braskem Vesta: Award-Winning Hydrogen Cogeneration

Braskem Vesta hydrogen cogeneration plant at ABC Petrochemical Complex in Brazil by Siemens Energy, powering energy transition with hydrogen-rich gas.

In Brazil, ABC Petrochemical Complex, Braskem - the Americas' top thermoplastics producer - partners with Siemens Energy on the Vesta project, converting hydrogen-rich waste gas into clean power via advanced cogeneration. This 2025 POWER award-winner in the gas category boosts efficiency, slashes emissions, and proves hydrogen's role in petrochemical decarbonization amid grid challenges.

The Vesta Cogeneration Plant is fully aligned with Braskem’s commitment to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Vesta cogeneration plant, located at the ABC Petrochemical Complex, is a pioneering project that demonstrates how energy-intensive industries can turn waste streams into competitive advantages. Instead of flaring off hydrogen-rich process gas - a common, wasteful practice - Braskem and Siemens Energy collaborated to harness this valuable resource for power generation using innovative cogeneration plant solutions.

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The modernization of the power generation is the part of our Vesta project that helped us meet our sustainability goals by reducing the facility’s overall energy consumption.

The plant is powered by residual process gas with up to 80% hydrogen content, using third-generation dry-low-emissions technology that significantly reduces CO₂ and NOx emissions. This innovative approach not only boosts efficiency but also supports Braskem’s, the largest producer of thermoplastics resins in the Americas and the world’s leading biopolymer producer, ambitious sustainability goals.

By implementing low-emissions technology, the project reduced total energy consumption by 7.3%, lowered water usage by 11.4%, and cut CO₂ emissions by 6.3%. Delivered under an energy-as-a-service model, the plant supplies steam and electricity without requiring Braskem to invest in, build, or operate the facility, enabling the company to focus on its core business while Siemens Energy ensures reliable and efficient operation.

Aerial view of Braskem ABC Petrochemical Complex cogeneration plant fueled by hydrogen-rich residual gas from Siemens Energy partnership.

In Finspång in Sweden, a senior expert is checking the gas turbine valves ahead of a hydrogen test.

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This innovative solution ensures that Braskem focuses its resources on its core business, leaving the necessary investments in engineering, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the cogeneration plant to Siemens Energy.

The project also demonstrates the advantages of the “energy-as-a-service” approach that covers the entire value chain: Siemens Energy built, owns, and operates the cogeneration plant for 15 years. This addresses customer needs in reliable and secure operations while at the same time resulting in CAPEX savings. Siemens Energy’s proven technology – e.g. gas turbines with DLE combustion system and compressors – provides high reliability, availability, and efficiency, and has surpassed initial requirements, at the same time significantly reducing the petrochemical giant’s exposure to grid failures.

The plant is powered by residual process gas with up to 80% hydrogen content, using third-generation dry-low-emissions technology that significantly reduces CO₂ and NOx emissions.

Besides of being fully aligned with Braskem’s sustainability commitments, the collaboration extended beyond Braskem and Siemens Energy, involving local suppliers, contractors, and educational institutions, supporting the regional economy and workforce development.

By turning hydrogen-rich waste into a valuable energy resource, Braskem and Siemens Energy are leading the way in the energy transition for the petrochemical industry and proving that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand.