Home Think Plastic Brazil, a portfolio of solutions for the plastic-converted products sector in the internationalization process for target markets, carried out through a partnership between ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and INP (Brazilian Plastic Institute), was present at the 11th edition of the Business Mission to Africa. The mission, organized by ApexBrasil, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and AfroChamber, took place between August 19 and 30, 2024 and aimed to strengthen trade relations between Brazil and emerging African markets. The initiative involved seminars, technical visits and business rounds that connected Think Plastic Brazil with potential local partners, providing a strategic platform for expanding exports and exploring new business opportunities.
The main focus of the portfolio was to identify and seize opportunities for the plastics sector, diversifying markets to Africa and the Middle East through the presentation of companies associated with Think Plastic Brazil. Using the YearBook, which gathers detailed information on participating companies, the products and services of the associates were promoted to local buyers.
Africa represents an emerging market with significant growth potential, especially considering the expected population growth and economic diversification. In 2023, bilateral trade between Brazil and Africa reached US$20.4 billion, indicating opportunities for expansion. The mission aims to capitalize on this growth, diversify Brazil’s export portfolio and strengthen trade relations, taking advantage of the 6,018 opportunities identified for Brazilian exports on the African continent.
In Namibia, activities took place in Windhoek and included 24 trade promotion meetings. In Botswana, in Gaborone, 14 meetings were held, while in Mozambique, in the city of Maputo, 15 meetings were held. In addition to these interactions with local buyers, the mission also provided the opportunity to network with Brazilian companies from other sectors that were participating in the Multisectoral Mission in Africa. This contact facilitated the creation of strategic partnerships, both with Brazilian companies and with local entities, chambers of commerce and potential partners, which could support the expansion of Brazilian exports to the three countries.
The success of the Mission is directly linked to the increase in exports from Think Plastic Brazil members, particularly in Mozambique, where exports jumped from US$ 2,305 in 2023 to US$ 492,006 in 2024, representing a growth of more than 21,000%. The exported weight also grew exponentially, from 498 kg in 2023 to 215,008 kg in 2024.
For Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director & Think Plastic Brazil CPO, who represented the portfolio on the African continent: “the Multisectoral Mission to Africa was an extremely strategic initiative and will serve as a fundamental pillar to support the Business Mission that Think Plastic Brazil is organizing for the second half of April or early May 2025”.
According to him, the connections established throughout the mission – with local buyers, Brazilian companies from different sectors, chambers of commerce, entities and potential partners – opened solid paths that will facilitate both the implementation and success of the project planned for South Africa.
With a well-structured and well-established network of contacts, Think Plastic Brazil will be in a privileged position to conduct negotiations and implement commercial strategies even more effectively. The synergy created with local companies and partners will provide crucial support, strengthening Brazil’s presence on the African continent and making the future mission in South Africa not only viable, but highly promising and impactful for associated companies.
In addition, Think Plastic Brazil will have the strategic support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ApexBrasil and Afrochamber to carry out the Business Mission to South Africa in 2025. These partnerships will be essential to maximize the reach and impact of the mission, ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive approach that will allow associated companies to explore new business opportunities and further strengthen Brazil’s presence on the African continent. The support of these institutions reinforces the commitment to the success of the project and the opening of relevant markets for the Brazilian plastics sector.
About Think Plastic Brazil
Think Plastic Brazil began its activities with 38 companies and, over the last 20 years, has expanded its participation to more than 220 companies. During this period, the Portfolio promoted 4,773 participations by companies in the sector in 240 specifically Commercial Promotion projects, resulting in 64,366 meetings. The economic impact was significant, with over 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 joining the Portfolio, please contact Richard Assis via email at richard.assis@thinkplasticbrazil.com or visit the website thinkplasticbrazil.com
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 objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diversified trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and valuing Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and commercial missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazil brand.
The Agency also works in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for developing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastics Institute (INP) emerged amid the process of globalization and the need to make the plastics market more competitive internationally. Its strength and representation are due to the union of the Brazilian Association of the Plastic Industry (ABIPLAST), the Brazilian Association of the Chemical Industry (ABIQUIM) and the Union of Synthetic Resin Industries in the State of São Paulo (SIRESP).
The objective of INP, as a sectoral technological entity, is to be the backbone of the entire plastic production chain in Brazil. To this end, the entity maintains an extensive workforce qualification program, promotes access to the most modern technologies, especially for small and medium-sized companies, and develops Technical Standards for the manufacture of better quality products.
