The Colombia Mission brought together 27 Brazilian companies from the converted plastics sector for a series of business roundtables
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) — brought together 27 Brazilian companies from the converted plastics sector for a Trade Mission to Colombia, held from September 8-12, 2025. The mission generated US$665,000 in immediate business, with a projection of US$4.682 million and nearly 300 meetings held.
“The Trade Mission to Colombia reinforced Brazil’s position as a benchmark in innovation and sustainability in the converted plastics sector. The impressive results in immediate business and the prospects for the coming months demonstrate the strength of our companies and the importance of strategic internationalization initiatives. We are very pleased with the receptiveness of the Colombian market and confident that this closer relationship will open new opportunities for the Brazilian sector,” comments Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO.
The opening ceremony featured Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO, Paulo Silva from ApexBrasil, and international buyers who briefly shared opportunities from their respective countries.
Colombia remains a key market for Brazilian converted plastics. For 2025, GDP growth is projected at 2.5%, with expectations of reaching 2.8% in 2026, driven by private consumption, increased exports, and investment. Inflation has decreased to 4.5%, and unemployment ended the previous year at 9.1%, the lowest level since 2017. Carlos Moreira highlights that “despite fiscal challenges and a high rate of informality, the Colombian economy shows clear signs of recovery and stability, with an emphasis on the agricultural sector, which grew by 8.1% in 2024, and tourism, which reached a record 6.7 million visitors.”
Export data from companies associated with Think Plastic Brazil underscores Colombia’s strategic relevance in the converted plastics sector. Between January and July 2024, exports reached US$39.86 million, totaling 30.17 million kilograms of products sold. In the same period in 2025, these figures increased to US$46.82 million and 36.25 million kilograms, consolidating Colombia as the seventh main export destination, ahead of markets such as Argentina, Chile, and Belgium. This growth in both value and volume reflects strong, sustained demand.
Additionally, Think Plastic Brazil has already implemented 20 initiatives in the country, including 18 trade fairs and two individualized projects in Bogotá. These initiatives have resulted in more than 10,000 business meetings, with the participation of 339 member companies. The outcome was US$10.3 million in closed deals and projections of over US$138 million, representing a return of US$132.02 for every dollar invested. This data confirms that Colombia is not only an expanding market but also a strategic trade partner for the sector.
The following Brazilian companies participated in the mission: Agrovelper, Alklin, Alumínio Oliveira, Arthi, Astra S/A, Domus Design, Enerbras, Force, Fortlev, FRONTEC, Jaguar Plásticos, Lolly Brasil, MarGirius, Maxcril, Maxeb, Metaltru, Nitronplast, Nutriplan, <Ou>, Plasvale, Plásticos Rainha, Sanremo, São Bernardo, Sforplast, Tigre, Uninjet, and Wyda.
In addition to the business meetings in Bogotá, the companies also participated in site visits, which provided a deeper understanding of the local market and of the opportunities for the converted plastics sector.
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.
