Demand stimulates investment of plastic manufacturer in the country
Valor Econômico
The "world of plastics" is gaining more room. The heating of the Brazilian economy in 2010, with an estimated growth of up to 7%, places the spotlights on the industries of plastic products that this year are living one of their best moments. The projections are of growth between 8% and 10%, overcoming the most acute period of the global financial crisis during the end of 2008 and great part of last year, which shrank the demand in the country. The restoration of the income, which raises the consumption power, investments in infrastructure in the country, the expansion of the car market, foods and beverages are some of the pillars of support for those industries. They are nearly 11.5 thousand in the country, which should have earnings up to 15% better - it is estimated at more than R$ 41 billion (US$ 22.8 billion) this year.
The push comes from all sides. Companies prepare investments both in the increase of the productive capacity of its plants, modernization of the machinery and even in acquisitions. The investments this year can get to nearly R$ 4.1 billion (US$ 2.28 billion), growth of 21% compared to last year, both to meet the growing demand of the food and beverage industries, civil construction and, mainly, the car sector. In the first quarter of this year, the sector of processed products made of plastics registered strong recovery. The production of rolled products grew 25.6% when compared to the same period of 2009. The performance in the area of plastic packaging was 17.37% greater, and that of various plastic items also rose 25%, according to data of the Abiplast (Brazilian Plastics Industry Association). Such good performance in the period reflects a strong resumption, but it is worth recalling it was compared to the first quarter of 2009, which had poor performance on account of the crisis.
Vitopel is one of the companies under the effects of the optimism. The company, one of the largest of the third generation of the petrochemical sector, wants to make a big acquisition this year to increase its productive capacity in the country. With three plants - two in Brazil, located in Mauá, in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, and Votorantim, in the interior of the State, and the third one in Córdoba, Argentina - its processing capacity gets to 150 thousand tons of flexible packaging film a year. José Ricardo Roriz Coelho, Chairman of the Vitopel group, informed there are advanced conversations to close an acquisition. Besides, the company plans on investing nearly US$ 50 million to increase the production in Brazil.
The national production of processed plastics was nearly 5.19 million tons in 2009, with an increase of 1% compared to the previous year. The expectation is that this year it becomes 8% to 10% bigger. According to the Abiplast, the apparent consumption was 5.38 million tons, an increase of 1.6% compared to 2008. Good part of the industries of that sector operates above 80% of the capacity.