Styrolution, the 50:50 joint venture of Ineos and BASF, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazilian petchems giant Braskem for a styrenics joint venture in Brazil.

Together the two companies plan to explore the feasibility of installing a 100,000 t/y plant for ABS and SAN, with products to be supplied to the household appliance and automotive sectors.

The proposed jv would be owned to 70% by Styrolution and 30% by Braskem. The start of production of the styrenic polymers has been penciled in for 2017.