Held on National Design Day, the gathering brought together industry leaders for the pre-launch of the World Plastic Connection Summit® 2027, the launch of the International Yearbook 2026, and panel discussions on agribusiness, recycling, inclusion, and design.
Photo: Courtesy of Think Plastic Brazil
On November 5, the ApexBrasil headquarters in São Paulo hosted a milestone gathering for the converted plastics industry. Promoted by Think Plastic Brazil — the portfolio of solutions for the converted plastics products sector in the internationalization process for target markets, created by the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) — the event brought together industry leaders, experts, and authorities to inaugurate a new cycle of Brazilian global expansion and positioning.
The date of the event symbolically coincided with National Design Day, honoring the legacy of Aloísio Magalhães, an occasion celebrated in the opening remarks by Master of Ceremonies Débora Delta. The institutional ceremony was attended by Américo Bartilotti (Executive President of the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP) and Commercial Director of Polymers for Braskem in South America), Paulo Teixeira (Treasurer Director of INP, Executive President of ABIPLAST and SINDIPLAST), and Paulo Roberto da Silva (Industry and Services Coordinator at ApexBrasil), who reinforced the strength of a Brazilian industry that invests heavily in sustainability, traceability, and competitiveness for foreign markets.
Photo: Courtesy of Think Plastic Brazil
During the program, Carlos Moreira, Brazilian Plastic Institute Executive Director and Think Plastic Brazil CPO, highlighted the country’s leading role in shaping global trends: “Think Plastic Brazil started its activities with 38 companies and, over the last 20 years, has expanded its participation to more than 250 companies. You are the runway that takes Brazil to the world. Our tools include the International Yearbook, which showcases the capability of our industry to the global market. It has already generated hundreds of business meetings, breaking the paradigm that Brazil lacks scale or variety. In addition, we have Color Trend®. During the pandemic, we created our own color research, engaging the entire production chain, from masterbatch to converting and recycling. Each launched color tells a story that only Brazil possesses. The latest addition is that we will now include guidelines on which materials have the highest recyclability for each color application. Finally, we will host the World Plastic Connection Summit® 2027, whose theme will be: Plastic that proves circularity, AI, and competitiveness in the global market. It will be the stage to prove that Brazil is ready to meet global demands with data, traceability, and innovation. Registrations are now open.”
Knowledge, Sustainability, and Agribusiness
The lecture lineup delivered urgent, science-based debates. Jorge Soto (SusteNeo) presented the lecture “The Future of Plastics,” demystifying biodegradation concepts and emphasizing that the Circular Economy is the definitive path for plastic to consolidate itself as a valuable resource rather than waste.
Next, Ana Paiva (Braskem) addressed the topic “Plastics in Agribusiness: Innovation, Productivity, and Food Security,” demonstrating how plastic solutions — from greenhouses and drip irrigation to silo bags and biodigesters — play a vital role in addressing climate change, optimizing water usage, and ensuring food security for an ever-growing population.
Color Trend® 2027: Brazilian Identity, Inclusion, and Sensory Experience
One of the most anticipated moments of the day was the reveal of Color Trend® 2027, presented by Marco Lobo (Global Green Design Coordinator at Think Plastic Brazil). Inspired by the theme “Territories of Brazil,” the study mapped 12 emblematic colors from different regions of the country — from Amazonian Root (Raiz Amazônica) to Southern Amethyst (Ametista do Sul). For the first time, the palette incorporated technical post-consumer recycled (PCR) recyclability indices, guiding the industry toward pigmentation choices aligned with the circular economy.
Sensitivity and inclusion also took center stage: Sandra Marchi presented the See Color system, a universal tactile technology that allows people with visual impairments and color blindness to identify product colors through touch. Complementing this multisensory experience, Cristina Bernardes from Vollmens Fragrances unveiled the edition’s official fragrance, “Chuva Nativa” (Native Rain), translating the refreshing scent of petrichor (the smell of wet earth) and the warmth of Brazilian woods.
Photo: Courtesy of Think Plastic Brazil
Closing the cycle of lectures, award-winning industrial designer Sérgio Matos (Estúdio Sérgio Matos), ambassador of Color Trend® 2027, moved attendees by sharing his 16 years of experience working alongside artisan communities and indigenous peoples. Matos underscored the cultural richness, ancestral wisdom, and intangible value expressed through the colors and traditions spread across the national territory.
Recognition: International Award 2026
The gathering culminated in the eagerly awaited presentation of the World Plastic Connection International Award trophies. Featuring an independent audit and a judging panel composed of 14 experts, the awards celebrated the maturity and export strength of Brazilian companies across the Access, Special, and Excellency categories, ensuring the winners prominent visibility in the new edition of the International Yearbook.
Photo: Courtesy of Think Plastic Brazil
Winners of the World Plastic Business Case Award:
- Technical Group – Access: TEIXEIRA TÊXTIL
- Retail Group – Special: KAPAZI
- Retail Group – Excellency: TERMOLAR
Winners of the World Plastic Development Award:
- Technical Group – Access: POLY-VAC
- Technical Group – Special: L&L DESTAK
- Technical Group – Excellency: VALGROUP
- Retail Group – Access: GOTA LIMPA
- Retail Group – Special: KAPAZI
- Retail Group – Excellency: JAGUAR PLÁSTICOS
Winner of the World Plastic Global Design Award:
- Technical Group – Excellency (1st place): ZARAPLAST
Honorable mentions were also presented to companies achieving high scores in the internationalization process: FBPNEU, Lion Group, Sforplast, Lordtech, Colorfix, L&L Destak, Valgroup, Camargo, Bral-Max, and Globoplast.
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 joining the Portfolio, please contact Richard Assis at richard.assis@thinkplasticbrazil.com or visit the website thinkplasticbrazil.com.
About INP
Founded in 1989, the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP) arose amid the process of globalization and the need to make the plastic market more competitive internationally. Its strength and representativeness stem from connecting and working across the entire plastics supply chain, from raw materials to converting and recycling, integrating its various links around industry development, innovation, and competitiveness.
The INP’s purpose is to strengthen and expand the presence of the Brazilian plastics production chain on the international stage. Its main focus is on the internationalization of the sector, supporting companies from their initial export steps to advanced internationalization strategies, such as setting up overseas offices, commercial operations, and manufacturing plants. Concurrently, the Institute works to attract investments to Brazil, promoting the opportunities and capabilities of the Brazilian plastics industry and contributing to its competitiveness, expansion, and integration into global value chains.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) promotes Brazilian products and services abroad and attracts foreign investments to strategic sectors 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.
Press Information
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