German group has the challenge of diversifying portfolio
Valor Econômico
The construction of an acrylic complex in Camaçari (Bahia) is inserted in the global strategy of the German Basf of seeking new opportunities in the chemical area. As the President of the company in South America, Alfred Hackenberger, told Valor, the multinational intends to diversify its operations, so that the businesses are less susceptible to the economic cycles.
Early last week, the CEO of the company, Kurt Bock, mentioned the sectors of health, food and biotechnology as important to the strategy, precisely because those sectors are less sensitive to variations, as they depend upon a more stable demand. The global acquisition of the also German Cognis, last year, was in line with the idea, which has also been adopted by some rivals of Basf, like DuPont, which is making an offer for the manufacturer of food ingredients, Danisco.
Among the new investments planned by the multinational for Brazil, however, are still not included many initiatives in those sectors. The plans of the company point to the construction of a new manufacturing plant of paints in Guaratinguetá (SP), whose investments will amount to US$ 30 million. In the same city, another bet of the company is the first plant of sodium methylate of the group in Latin America, to be concluded until the end of the year. The input is a catalyst for the production of biodiesel and the investment - of nearly US$ 25 million -will be marked by a new technology, more efficient in energy.
"In Brazil, our investments are already also aligned (with the global strategy). The sector of agribusiness of the subsidiary is very strong", said the Executive. But the segment of industrial biotechnology that includes the areas of health and food is still a hypothesis for the company in the country. "We are seeing opportunities", he said, emphasizing he sees strong potential for the area. Another segment on the radar of the Executive is that of chemicals for mineral exploration, which should be stimulated by the pre-salt.
With earnings of € 3.8 billion, South America represents 6% of the overall results of Basf. In Brazil, the multinational has accumulated sales of € 2.3 billion last year, compared to the € 1.9 billion in 2009. For 2011, Hackenberger foresees growth of 5% to 10% in the results of the country.