"This sector is responsible for 1,9% of our national GDP..."


The substitution of traditional raw materials such as glass and metal for plastic may be an indicator of a country’s technological development. Sectors such as household appliances, constructions, toys and footwear are progressively using more plastic. Intensive technology using sectors as health, electronics, aviation, and automotive industries are constantly increasing the use of plastics in their products.

This sector is responsible for 1,9% of our national GDP, a sector that generates 230 thousand direct employments and encompasses some 8 thousand companies that together billed more than US$ 10 billion in 2004, according to Abiplast.

Brazilian exportation of transformed plastic products increased more than 24% in 2004. Income surpassed US$ 792 million against little more than US$ 638 million in 2003. In volume it went from almost 200 thousand tons to 248 thousand tons, an increase of approximately 24%, according to information given by the Associação Brasileira da Indústria do Plástico – Abiplast (Brazilian Association of Plastics Industries). For the year of 2005, Apex estimates the total volume of the sector, for Brazilian exportation, to be US$ 856 million.

Importation grew 23, 2% in billings and 28, 9% in volume, totalizing US$ 755, 9 million and 211, 7 thousand tons, respectively.

Highlights in this market include countries in the Mercosul, with volume growth over 33% between 2003 and 2004. Sales to the European Union increased, 11% in tons and 18, 7% in revenues. These numbers include products such as monofilaments, tubes, coatings and coverings, plates and films, aside raffia bags, sub-products of polyethylene and polypropylene plates and other items that contain plastic parts.

Other non traditional markets call attention for their business evolution, within Brazilian transformation industry, such as Russia, South Africa, Costa Rica, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, etc.

Importation increased 23, 2% in revenues and 28, 9% in volume, totalizing US$755, 9 million and 211, 7 thousand tons respectively.