Participation of 16 Brazilian companies at the Mexican trade show resulted in 386 meetings and 338 new commercial contacts over the three-day event
Photo: Courtesy of Expo Nacional Ferretera
The presence of Think Plastic Brazil — a portfolio of solutions for the converted plastics sector in the internationalization process for target markets, created through a partnership between ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and INP (Brazilian Plastic Institute) — at Expo Nacional Ferretera 2026 exceeded expectations. Held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from September 3 to 5, the event generated USD 225,000 in immediate business deals and opened doors for an additional USD 2.385 million projected over the next 12 months. In total, 16 Brazilian companies joined the delegation aimed at connecting high-quality products with buyers, distributors, and commercial partners across Latin America.
Engagement during the three days of the fair was intense, with Brazilian companies participating in meetings and building connections with potential buyers. The companies also held business roundtables during the event. Combined with visits to the Brazilian booth, these actions totaled 386 meetings, resulting in 338 new commercial contacts, 36 closed deals, and 79 opportunities expected to convert, demonstrating strong market interest in the featured products. This active networking included companies such as Sfor, Roto & Fermax, Pado SA, Mar-Girius Controles Elétricos, Kapazi, Hidrofiltros, Grupo Vellore (Fox Lux and Famastil), Grupo Multivisao, Grupo Force, Frontec, Fame, Enerbras, Condor Pincéis, Brustec, Atlas Pincéis, and A&S Technologies, significantly expanding potential business generation following the event.
For the fifth consecutive year, the program was present at the Mexican trade show, reinforcing its commitment to connecting the national industry with strategic consumer hubs and expanding the global competitiveness of Brazilian plastics.
Within the group, Think Plastic Brazil highlighted the presence of a team of Experts — companies with consolidated backgrounds and recognized operations in their segments: Atlas, Enerbras, Fame, MarGirius, and Unipega. This joint effort was celebrated by Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO:
A highlight of this edition was Tienda Ferretera, a prototype store that reproduced the real environment of a hardware store inside the fair, where several companies from the Brazilian delegation were able to display their solutions.
“Being present in strategic markets like Mexico is a fundamental competitive edge. Expo Nacional Ferretera is a strategic meeting point where we strengthen our brand, understand local nuances, and demonstrate that the Brazilian industry is ready to deliver with excellence. Active participation is the path to consolidating business and building long-lasting relationships in Latin America.”
For Moreira, the event is essential to consolidating these international bridges:
“Expo Nacional Ferretera is an important opportunity for Brazilian companies to showcase their products, understand market demands, and build relationships that can turn into business deals over the coming months. The results of this edition show that there is room to expand the presence of Brazilian converted plastics in Mexico and other markets across the region.”
In addition to the financial return, the experience was widely approved by participants: 75% of business executives declared themselves very satisfied, and 25% were satisfied with the results achieved. The enthusiasm for the Latin American market was also reflected in their intention to return, with 81.25% of brands confirming interest in joining the delegation for the next edition.
Specialized in construction, electrical supplies, hardware, and retail, Expo Nacional Ferretera annually gathers key decision-makers in the sector. For Brazilian manufacturers, the event offers a robust combination of brand visibility, market intelligence, and networking expansion in Latin America.
The mission in Mexico is part of a broad calendar of international actions promoted by Think Plastic Brazil throughout 2026, reaffirming its purpose to guide and support national companies across all stages of their export journey.
Carlos Moreira
Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO
About Think Plastic Brazil
Think Plastic Brazil started its activities with 38 companies and, over the last 20 years, has expanded its participation to more than 250 companies. During this period, the Portfolio promoted 4,773 company participations from the sector across 240 Trade Promotion projects, resulting in 64,366 meetings. The economic impact was significant, with over USD 1.247 billion in business generated and a total investment of USD 12.338 million, achieving an impressive ROI of USD 101.04 for every dollar invested.
Those interested in joining the Portfolio can contact Richard Assis via email at richard.assis@thinkplasticbrazil.com or visit thinkplasticbrazil.com.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP) emerged amid the globalization process and the need to make the plastic market more internationally competitive. Its strength and representativeness stem from the union of the Brazilian Association of the Plastic Industry (ABIPLAST), the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association (ABIQUIM), and the Union of Synthetic Resin Industries in the State of São Paulo (SIRESP).
As a sectoral technological entity, INP’s goal is to serve as the benchmark for the entire plastic production chain in Brazil. To this end, the entity maintains an extensive workforce qualification program, promotes access to state-of-the-art technologies — especially for small and medium-sized enterprises —, and develops Technical Standards for higher-quality manufacturing.
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 goals, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and adding value to Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for Brazilian companies participating in major international trade shows, and visits by foreign buyers and opinion leaders to explore Brazil’s productive structure, among other business platforms designed to strengthen brand Brazil.
The Agency also works in coordination with public and private actors to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors to enhance the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country as a whole.
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