Think Plastic Brazil promoted the participation of 30 Brazilian companies in The Inspired Home Show. The portfolio of solutions for the plastic converted products sector is the result of a partnership between the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP) and ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).
The event, which took place from the 17th to the 19th, in Chicago, United States, is one of the main housewares meetings in North America and brings together companies and buyers from more than 120 countries. The Brazilian delegation prospected 62 new businesses, generating an expectation of US$4.8 million.
“Active participation in international fairs, such as this one, demonstrates the crucial role of Brazil and its companies in the global housewares market and reinforces our commitment to innovation, product quality and relevance in the global market”, says Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director & Think Plastic Brazil CPO.
The delegation was present at two stands with a visual identity entirely developed in the guava color, chosen by Jum Nakao at Color Trend 2024 in honor of women’s month. Still as an action that reiterates its commitment to gender equity, the portfolio interviewed the female leaders at the head of the various companies in the delegation, who spoke about the importance of women in the internationalization process for a tribute on their social networks.
The stand also featured an exclusive Color Trend showcase, curated by Nakao, to highlight companies that developed products based on the color study. The annual publication that maps trends in the converted plastics segment.
The companies present in Chicago were also highlighted in the Yearbook, a catalog of Brazilian products made available to international buyers and journalists.
Innovation and design in action
Think Plastic Brazil has strategically worked on design and innovation in its international actions, in order to empower Brazilian companies in the international market and connect them to the main players in the global market. “Success in the North American market requires a synergy between innovation and design, together with the implementation of effective marketing strategies and a genuine commitment to sustainability, a concept reiterated by the portfolio when developing the entire program of events parallel to the fair”, says Marco Lobo, designer and doctoral researcher at FGV and consultant for the Brazilian Design Program, of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
In this context, businesspeople were able to gain valuable insights from the guests of the Lecture Series, in partnership with the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago, and especially the guided visits of the Retail Tour and Promenade, coordinated by designers and innovation specialists Marco Lobo and Jum Nakao. “The Retail Tour seeks to sensitize the national industry to the aspirations and daily lives of international consumers. Promote reflection on the necessary refinement of the design of national industry products to meet the demands of new times. It’s a reality check, but always positive”, points out Jum Nakao, designer and curator of the Color Trend 2024 trend study.
And the result of these learnings is already remarkable. “We were selected by the fair’s highly sought-after curators for highlights of the fair, which are the New Exhibitor Preview Gallery showcases, the Pantone ColorWatch and the Global Design Point”, celebrated Carlos.
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 Converted Plastics Export and Internationalization Program) 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 globalization process and the need to make the plastics market more internationally competitive. Its strength and representation are due to the union of the Brazilian Association of the Plastic 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 from foreign buyers and opinion leaders to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand.