The delegation of Brazilian companies participating in Circlepack 2024, one of the main packaging events in the South American country, obtained positive results in prospecting for new business, reiterating Chile’s potential as a target market for Brazilian companies. The six companies that were at the fair are associated with Think Plastic Brazil, a portfolio of solutions that support the converted plastic products sector in the internationalization process for target markets, carried out through a partnership between ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and INP (Brazilian Plastics Institute).
The importance of Chile for Brazilian exports
In recent years, Brazilian plastic exports to Chile, especially those carried out by companies associated with Think Plastic Brazil, have undergone significant changes in both value and weight. “In 2022, the value of exports from Think Plastic Brazil members to Chile reached US$73.8 million, representing 43.25% of the sector’s Brazilian exports to this destination, making Chile the third largest market. In 2023, despite a 36.73% drop in exported value, totaling US$46.7 million, Chile became the second largest market, with its share falling to 33.19%”, says Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director & Think Plastic Brazil CPO.
In terms of weight, Think Plastic Brazil members exported 34,190 tons to Chile in 2022, representing 65.86% of the total exported by the sector. In 2023, the weight exported fell to 19,082 tons, a decrease of 44.19%, but still representing 54.71% of the total exported, keeping Chile as the second largest destination in terms of weight exported by supported companies. For the Brazilian plastics sector as a whole, considering members and non-members of Think Plastic Brazil, Chile was the fifth largest market in terms of value in 2022, with exports of US$170.6 million. In 2023, the exported value fell to US$140.7 million, causing Chile to fall to sixth position, a reduction of 17.54%. In terms of weight, the sector exported 51,911 tons to Chile in 2022, ranking third. However, in 2023, with a reduction of 32.81%, the exported weight fell to 34,879 tons, resulting in Chile falling to sixth position. “Even with this reduction in both value and weight, Chile continues to be a significant market for Think Plastic Brazil, highlighting the importance of reviewing and adjusting market strategies to recover share and growth”, highlights Carlos. The expectation is that US$1.9 million in new business will be completed over the next 12 months.
The event certainly opened up important business and investment opportunities for the six companies that participated in the fair over the three days of the event. In total, more than 37 new contacts were made. “Many prospects were carried out and we are already budgeting for five of them, who have a chance of becoming customers with recurring orders. We are excited about this prospect”, says Maurício Goulart, export manager at Copobras.
Parnaplast, which has knowledge of the Chilean market, had the opportunity to get even closer to customers already acquired in Chile and seek new business with them. “Participation in the fair was very positive for strengthening relations with our partners in the country and updating us on trends in sustainable chain products that the market there is also looking for”, said Bruno Polidoro, technical export salesman.
About Think Plastic Brazil
Think Plastic Brazil was created in December 2003, when the Brazilian integrated plastics chain was selected as one of the 10 largest in the world and recognized for its high technology, as well as the capacity of its human resources. The project is carried out in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), under the coordination of the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP), to promote the export of converted plastic products.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP) emerged amid the process of globalization and the need to make the plastics market more competitive internationally. Its strength and representation are due to the union of the Brazilian Plastic Processed and Recycling Industry (ABIPLAST), the Brazilian Association of the Chemical Industry (ABIQUIM) and the Union of Synthetic Resin Industries in the State of São Paulo (SIRESP).
The objective of INP, as a sectoral technological entity, is to be the backbone of the entire plastic production chain in Brazil. To this end, the entity maintains an extensive workforce qualification program, promotes access to the most modern technologies, especially for small and medium-sized companies, and develops Technical Standards for the manufacture of better quality products.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand.