16 Brazilian companies participated in the trade fair with Think Plastic Brazil, consolidating global leadership in packaging and industrial supplies
Think Plastic Brazil — a portfolio of solutions that supports the internationalization of the country’s converted plastics sector, carried out through a partnership between ApexBrasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and the INP (Brazilian Plastic Institute) — participated for the 6th time in Pack Expo Las Vegas in 2025, consolidating a track record that has generated over US$1 million in immediate business and a projection of more than US$ 12 million for the next 12 months.
IMPRESSIVE HISTORICAL RESULTS AND ROI
Historically, Brazil’s participation in Pack Expo has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. Accumulated data from five previous editions (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2023) reveal that the business deals closed by Brazilian companies were more than double the forecast, totaling approximately US$60 million. The Export Generation Index (IGE) reached 172.23, nearly double the expected 83.51, demonstrating a return of US$172 for every US$1 invested by ApexBrasil. Additionally, the number of participating companies (54) and business meetings held (1,230) also far exceeded projections.
PROSPECTS FOR EXPANSION AND MARKET DIVERSIFICATION
Pack Expo Las Vegas, recognized as the leading packaging trade fair in the Americas, offers a strategic platform for expanding Brazilian businesses beyond the United States, reaching Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and other Latin American markets. Participation in the event is crucial for mitigating commercial risks (such as the recent surcharges imposed by the USA on Brazilian products), not only due to the regional diversification the fair provides but also because it allows for the evaluation of differentiated business models, whether through establishing commercial offices or even manufacturing plants in the country.
“In every edition, the business generation targets have been significantly exceeded, indicating success in buyer selection and in preparing the companies for the event,” said Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO. Participation in the 2025 edition aligned with this vision, focusing on high-potential complementary markets such as Canada and Mexico, which benefit from regional agreements like the USMCA/T-MEC.
INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The 16 Brazilian companies comprising the Think Plastic Brazil delegation showcased a broad range of specializations, from high-performance flexible films to sustainable and recyclable solutions. Among the exhibitors were:
- Embaquim: A pioneer in bag-in-box technology.
- GDM Plásticos: A benchmark in plastic films for packaging, focusing on innovation and sustainability.
- Globoplast: A specialist in plastic tubes offering customized solutions.
- Oben Group: A global leader in flexible packaging and high-performance plastic films.
- Parnaplast: An established manufacturer of high-tech flexible packaging.
- Plaszom: One of Brazil’s largest producers of flexible packaging.
- Polionda: A benchmark in corrugated plastic sheets and packaging (cartonplast).
- Spiltag: A specialist in PET packaging for the HPPC sector.
- Splack S.A.: Brazil’s leader in desiccant solutions and moisture-control packaging.
- Valgroup: One of the world’s largest plastics manufacturers and recyclers, focusing on the circular economy.
- Videplast: A major Brazilian industry player in flexible packaging, with a focus on sustainability.
- Wyda: Latin America’s leader in disposable packaging made of aluminum, plastic, and paper.
- Zaraplast S/A: The largest flexible packaging company in Latin America.
The innovations showcased align with global demands for new sustainable materials, packaging with enhanced technical performance, optimized designs, and customized solutions for international clients.
GLOBAL TRENDS AND BRAZIL’S COMMITMENT
The global plastics industry is undergoing a transition towards the circular economy, with a focus on sustainability and technological innovation. Key trends include:
- Sustainable solutions and reduced environmental impact: greater use of recycled materials, eco-design projects to reduce weight and thickness, and the adoption of biodegradable polymers and bioplastics.
- Circular economy and advanced recycling: the transition to a circular model is a priority, with ambitious recycling goals and the development of technologies such as chemical recycling, which allows hard-to-recycle plastics to be reintroduced into the production chain.
- Innovation in flexible packaging and high-performance materials: demand for flexible packaging is growing, driven by its light weight and efficiency. The trend is to migrate towards mono-material structures, facilitating recycling, and to develop bio-based biofilms or paper/cardboard combinations with special coatings.
Brazil, through Think Plastic Brazil, keeps pace with these global trends, ensuring that its companies offer the most modern and competitive solutions, thereby consolidating their differentiation in international markets. Pack Expo Las Vegas is, therefore, an essential platform for the Brazilian converted plastics industry to showcase its capacity for innovation and its commitment to a more sustainable future.
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 the participation of 4,773 companies in the industry in 240 projects specifically for Trade Promotion, resulting in 64,366 meetings. The economic impact was significant, with more than US$1.247 billion in business generated and a total investment of US$12.338 million, achieving an impressive ROI of US$101.04 for every dollar invested.
For those interested in buying from Brazil and contacting Brazilian companies associated with Think Plastic Brazil directly, please contact cristina.sacramento@thinkplasticbrazil.com and daniela.ornelas@thinkplasticbrazil.com via email or visit the website (https://thinkplasticbrazil.com/en/home-en/). Think Plastic Brazil is a non-profit, non-commissioned organization that can facilitate your direct contact with Brazilian producers.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastic Institute – INP arises amid the process of globalization and the need to make the plastic market more competitive internationally. Its strength and representativeness are the results of the union of the Brazilian Processed Plastic and Recycling Industry (ABIPLAST), the Brazilian Association of the Chemical Industry (ABIQUIM), and the Union of Synthetic Resin Industries in the State of São Paulo (SIRESP).
As a sectoral technological body, the INP’s is to be the focal point for the entire plastics production chain in Brazil. To this end, the body maintains an extensive workforce qualification program, promotes access to the most modern technologies, especially for small and medium-sized companies, and develops Technical Standards so that products with better quality be manufactured.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) promotes Brazilian products and services abroad and attracts foreign investments to strategic industries of the Brazilian economy. To reach its goals, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business roundtables, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, and visits by foreign buyers and influencers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that are also focused on strengthening “Brazil” as a brand.
The agency also acts in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
