Braskem America Names New Leaders of External Affairs and Institutional Relations

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Braskem America today announced that Gustavo Valverde will lead the company's External Affairs activities and Robert Nadin will head Braskem's Institutional Relations following the retirement of Senior Vice President Bruce Rubin on January 4, 2013.  Both Mr. Valverde and Mr. Nadin will be adding these responsibilities to their current roles. 

Valverde is currently the executive responsible for Braskem International's Legal and Corporate Governance Departments and has been working closely with Rubin in preparation for this additional role. Nadin is currently the executive responsible for Commercial and Procurement and Supply.

Fernando Musa, CEO of Braskem America, said "These changes are part of our succession planning for Bruce's role.  Gustavo Valverde brings a wealth of relevant experience to the External Affairs role, as he supported similar efforts for Braskem S.A.  Bob Nadin's responsibility for many of our externally facing functions makes him ideally suited to lead our efforts with our institutional partners."

Rubin was CEO of Braskem America during the initial phases of the integration between Brazil-based Braskem and Sunoco Chemicals.  Following the integration period, Rubin transitioned into the position of SVP of External Affairs and Institutional Relations where he continued to support Braskem's growth efforts.

"Bruce played a critical role not only in the successful acquisition of Sunoco by Braskem, but also in the integration of the business practices and cultures of the two companies," continued Musa.  "He was instrumental in positioning Braskem America for great success by supporting our efforts to acquire the Marcus Hook splitter assets and the Dow polypropylene business, making us the largest polypropylene producer in the United States."

Rubin began his career with Sunoco in 1979 and held increasingly responsible positions in a variety of roles, including Business Development, Engineering, Strategic Planning, Operational Planning, Finance, Systems and Trading.  He served as President of Epsilon Products Company, a joint venture between Sunoco and BAR-L. Prior to the acquisition of Sunoco Chemicals by Braskem, Rubin was Senior Vice President of Sunoco, Inc. and CEO of Sunoco Chemicals, Inc.  He also served on the Boards of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Franklin Institute. 

Rubin will remain as an advisor and Director for Braskem America.  In this capacity, he will continue to serve on several external institutional boards, including the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.  Rubin will also serve as a Director for Sylvatex, a biofuels technology firm, as well as an advisor for a private equity firm.

ABOUT BRASKEM
Braskem is the Americas' top thermoplastic resins producer. With 36 industrial plants spread across Brazil, United States and Germany, the company produces over 35 billion pounds of thermoplastic resins and other petrochemicals per year. Braskem is the world's leading biopolymers producer with its 440 million pound Green PE plant that produces polyethylene from sugarcane-based ethanol.

Braskem America is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with five production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and a Technology and Innovation Center in Pittsburgh. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Braskem America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. For more information about Braskem and its products, visit www.braskem.com.

Maureen Garrity
Tierney
215.790.4408
[email protected]

SOURCE Braskem America