Native Shoes Launches The Robbie with Braskem's I'm green™ Bio-Based EVA Polymer

The Robbie breaks new ground with environmentally minded footwear created from Braskem's sustainably sourced sugarcane biopolymer

PHILADELPHIA, March 23, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Braskem (B3: BRKM3, BRKM5 and BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK) ("Company"), the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, as well as a market leader and pioneer producer of biopolymers on an industrial scale, today announced its involvement in Native Shoes' new line of The Robbie footwear, created with Braskem's renewable and carbon negative I'm green™ bio-based EVA polymer.

Native Shoes designed The Robbie with Generation Do in mind – the kids of today who are growing up as the most educated, connected, socially-aware and environmentally-minded generation in history. They're unafraid to stand up for their beliefs, argue with the grown-ups and challenge the status quo – and this is the shoe to help them on their way.

Renato Yoshino, Business Director, Olefins & Polyolefins South America, Braskem stated, "As the largest polyolefins producer in the Americas, Braskem is focused on collaborating with companies that share our commitment to advancing the creation of more sustainable, consumer-friendly products with our I'm green™ portfolio of eco-friendly materials. Native Shoes is helping lead the movement to meet the growing consumer demand for more environmentally conscious footwear and taking fashion to the next level of sustainability. Braskem is delighted to work with like-minded partners around new sustainably focused products, to ensure our products make a measurable positive impact at every step, from design, to delivery, to re-use."

Kyle Housman, CEO of Native Shoes commented, "Native Shoes is on a mission to make it easy for all to Live Lightly, and this is the design philosophy behind every new shoe we create. The Robbie was designed for Generation Do: the tiny activists who will grow up to change the world. We couldn't think of a better material to use for this shoe than Sugarlite™ - every bit as lightweight and comfortable as traditional EVA but made with sugarcane for a lighter greenhouse gas impact. We're excited to work with Braskem's I'm green™ polymer to bring Sugarlite™ - and some of our most innovative new designs - to life."

Sugarlite™ is Native Shoes' proprietary sugarcane-based EVA-blend material. Making up both the upper and midsole materials, Sugarlite™ offers the same lightweight, easy-clean, and odor-resistant properties for which Native Shoes are known and loved but has a greenhouse gas impact that is 22% lower than traditional EVA, based on an ISO-aligned life-cycle analysis conducted by a third-party consulting group.  Currently, Sugarlite™ contains 40% bio-based content from Braskem's sustainably sourced I'm green™ carbon negative EVA sugarcane-based biopolymer and Native Shoes is working to responsibly increase this through design and innovation.  

Fully recyclable via the Native Shoes Remix™ Project, Tiny Activists can easily mail their old shoes – including the Robbie – back to Native Shoes for free, where they will be given a second life as playgrounds for local communities in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information on The Robbie visit Native Shoe online at www.nativeshoes.com/robbie-collection.

Braskem's I'm green^TM bio-based EVA is sustainably produced from sugarcane, a renewable source that contributes to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by CO² capture. For those who want to adopt Green EVA into a new product concept, it is ideal for use in footwear, toys, general foams and much more. 

Braskem's Green EVA benefits include:

• Renewable Source: Sustainably sourced and produced from sugarcane, a renewable raw material.
• Drop-in Solution: Replaces the conventional resin without investments in new machinery for plastic transformation.
• Recyclable: Green EVA can be recycled and reused in the same stream already developed for conventional EVA.

The I'm green^TM brand represents Braskem's sustainable portfolio, aligned with its commitment to the circular economy. The goal is to combine innovation with sustainable development to achieve a better impact on the planet and society. To learn more about Braskem's sustainable I'm green™ portfolio, please visit online at: https://www.braskem.com.br/imgreen/home-en.

ABOUT NATIVE SHOES

It seems the heavier the world gets, the more it needs lightness. That's why we exist. Founded in 2009, Native Shoes fuses innovation, creativity, and curiosity to create a lighter, happier world for us all. From innovating biobased materials and animal-free design to recycling well-loved shoes via the Native Shoes Remix™ Project, our purpose is to make it easy for all to Live Lightly, every step of the way. www.nativeshoes.com     

ABOUT BRASKEM

With a global vision of the future oriented towards people and sustainability, Braskem is committed to contributing to the value chain for strengthening the circular economy. The petrochemical company's almost 8,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improve people's lives through sustainable chemicals and plastics solutions. Braskem has an innovative DNA and a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse segments, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, healthcare, and hygiene, among others. With 41 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in more than 80 countries.

Braskem America, Inc. is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with six production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh, and operations in Boston focused on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and advanced materials. For more information, visit www.braskem.com/usa.    

Braskem on English social media:
www.facebook.com/BraskemGlobal
www.linkedin.com/company/braskem
www.twitter.com/BraskemSA

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SOURCE Braskem