Home ith a hybrid and free program, Novotel Center Norte hosted this Tuesday, April 8, the IV World Plastic Connection Summit®, an event held by Think Plastic Brazil, a portfolio of solutions for the plastic-converted 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).
Representing Valgroup, Highlight Plastic, the event’s sponsor, João Henrique Alves, the company’s Innovation Manager, brought to the stage of the Hybrid International Seminar his lecture on the theme “Brazil: from adversity to leadership in global packaging trends”, addressing a sector that is essential to so many other markets, be it food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and others. João has a degree in chemistry from the State University of Londrina and has over 15 years of experience in developing sustainable solutions for rigid and flexible packaging for a wide range of consumer goods products, such as food, personal care, home care and industrial packaging.
In his speech, he presented the challenges that the Brazilian market faces on a daily basis, such as the tax burden, the cost of raw materials, the dependence on imported inputs in some processes, the poor logistics structure in some regions of the country and the resistance of markets to the use of plastic. Although this material has lower water consumption and emissions during transportation, guarantees better protection for products and is easy to recycle, these advantages are little known.
“Today, 64% of the energy we use in the country comes from plants in which Valgroup has invested, increasing supply to take advantage of Brazil’s characteristics,” he began, establishing the importance of opportunities to find a market. “Simplifying the recycling process for companies, without them having to create processes to recycle complex materials, and reducing the thickness and weight of packaging, making it lighter, using fewer natural resources and being more recyclable, are some ways. Advanced recycling addresses this,” highlights João.
Brazilian industry uses creativity to reinvent itself, adopting technologies such as 3D printers and automation, but also investing in design and environmental issues, strengthening sustainability. Meeting these values is essential for brands that want to internationalize, acting in accordance with what the most demanding markets abroad are looking for.
Our country is a leader and pioneer in several global trends, especially in the development and use of sustainable packaging, such as biodegradable, recyclable and reusable packaging. A notable example is green plastic, produced from sugarcane. In addition, we invest in intelligent and functional design, capable of protecting products, extending their shelf life, facilitating use and providing a better experience for the consumer. Another important advance is the production of interactive packaging, which incorporates technologies such as QR codes to offer traceability, augmented reality and even entertainment. These efforts directly contribute to strengthening the circular economy, promoting the reuse of materials and reducing environmental impact. All of this is in line with the demands of e-commerce and internationalization, which require more resistant packaging that is adapted to logistics. At the same time, they respond to the growing call for more conscious and sustainable consumption practices.
About Think Plastic Brazil
Think Plastic Brazil started its activities with 38 companies and, over the last 20 years, has expanded its participation to more than 250 companies. During this period, the Portfolio promoted 4,773 participations of companies in the industry in 240 projects specifically for Trade Promotion, resulting in 64,366 meetings. The economic impact was significant, with more than US$1.247 billion in business generated and a total investment of US$12.338 million, achieving an impressive ROI of US$101.04 for every dollar invested.
For those interested in buying from Brazil and contacting Brazilian companies associated with Think Plastic Brazil directly, please contact cristina.sacramento@thinkplasticbrazil.com and daniela.ornelas@thinkplasticbrazil.com via email or visit the website (https://thinkplasticbrazil.com/en/home-en/). Think Plastic Brazil is a non-profit, non-commissioned organization that can facilitate your direct contact with Brazilian producers.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastic Institute – INP arises amid the process of globalization and the need to make the plastic market more competitive internationally. Its strength and representativeness are the results of the union of the Brazilian Processed Plastic 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).
As a sectoral technological body, the INP’s is to be the focal point for the entire plastics production chain in Brazil. To this end, the body maintains an extensive workforce qualification program, promotes access to the most modern technologies, especially for small and medium-sized companies, and develops Technical Standards so that products with better quality be manufactured.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) promotes Brazilian products and services abroad and attracts foreign investments to strategic industries of the Brazilian economy. To reach its goals, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and influencers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that are also focused on strengthening “Brazil” as a brand.
The agency also acts in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
