Responsible Limits

What opportunities has the company identified in Mexico’s petrochemical industry?

Our company was created after a government initiative to develop the petrochemical sector through an auction of 18 contracts with a duration of 20 years. After winning the auction, we decided to invest USD5 billion in the country because we believe in Mexico and have identified important drivers and potential in its petrochemical industry. The country’s geographical position is a plus, along with its FTAs with many countries. The service and labor available here are also prime. In all, the petrochemical industry in Mexico moves around USD60 billion a year. Around 60-70% of what we produce is consumed by the Mexican market, and we export the rest to more than 46 countries, particularly the US, Europe, and Central America. Our success in Mexico proves Latin America’s potential to encompass projects of this size. We are pleased with not only the financial results but also the relationships we have been able to establish with our clients.

Who are your main clients in the country?

We are in the middle of the plastic supply chain; therefore, our clients are a blend of companies that transform raw material to final products. We serve a variety of sectors from agriculture to packaging and automotive, among other industries that utilize plastic. The wide scope of the petrochemical industry makes it such a relevant sector in the country’s economy.

In what ways is the consumption of plastic increasing rapidly in Mexico?

All around the world, the consumption of plastic is increasing rapidly. There are many new necessities we have to consider, especially in the US due to the shale gas phenomenon. In China and Asia, we observe a transitional moment as a result of the tariff war between US and China. Demand is growing rapidly, not only in the US but also in Asia. We are optimistic about our global vision for the future of this industry.

How is the company promoting a more ecological use and handling of plastic?

This is a highly relevant issue, and we are concerned about the amount of plastic waste accumulating in the ocean due to a lack of action. Plastic can truly improve the quality of people’s lives, but people must collectively learn to use it wisely. As part of the industry, we feel a responsibility toward the government and society in general to promote better waste handling. The company is thus focused on increasing the reuse and recycling of products and is committed to educating society on the responsible handling of plastic. The main driver of change will ultimately revolve around education, especially within families and schools. Chemical associations around the world are participating in and developing movements on these matters. The idea is to take advantage of the pros that plastic can offer and minimize the impact through reutilization. We also want to promote the use of technology to efficiently use natural resources and avoid waste, which also helps minimize water consumption. We want to take advantage of our global outreach to create an impact. Braskem Idesa is equally promoting initiatives to develop plastic from renewable materials such as sugarcane.

What are your production expansion plans in Mexico?

We are committed to staying in the country long term. We are also always seeking opportunities for expansion and will likely start by expanding our platform and complex. This can be achieved through small investments that increase our total production capacity. We are also looking into expanding our portfolio and the types of polyethylene we produce for clients.