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  • Pages
01 Cover
02 Welcome Letter / Sections
03 Section 1: Latin America
04 Latin America Resilience
05 Interview: APLA
06 Interview: S&P Commodity Insights
07 Interview: ExxonMobil Chemical
08 Interview: INEOS Styrolution Americas
09 Sustainability
10 Interview: Tecnon OrbiChem
11 Interview: Pilot Chemical Company
12 Interview: Air Products
13 Industry Thoughts: Decarbonization
14 Section 2: Mexico
15 Mexico Overview
16 Factsheet: Mexico
17 Interview: National Chemical Industry Association (ANIQ)
18 Interview: Braskem Idesa
19 Interview: Grupo Idesa
20 Interview: Evonik Industries Mexico
21 Interview: Unigel Mexico
22 Interview: Helm de Mexico
23 Section 3: Brazil
24 Brazil Overview
25 Factsheet: Brazil
26 Interview: ABIQUIM
27 Interview: Braskem
28 Interview: Indorama Ventures Limited
29 Interview: Elekeiroz
30 Interview: Petrom Petroquímica Mogi das Cruzes S.A.
31 Interview: Ultracargo
32 Section 4: Argentina
33 Argentina Overview
34 Factsheet: Argentina
35 Interview: Argentine Chamber of the Chemical and Petrochemical Industry (CIQyP)
36 Interview: Argentine Petrochemical Institute (IPA)
37 Interview: YPF QUÍMICA
38 Interview: Petrocuyo
39 Interview: Petroquímica Rio Tercero
40 Section 5: Andean Region
41 Andean Region Overview
42 Factsheet: Chile
43 Factsheet: Colombia
44 Interview: Acoplásticos
45 Interview: Chilean Chemical Industry Association (ASIQUIM)
46 Interview: Ecopetrol
47 Interview: Petroquim
48 Factsheet: Peru
49 Factsheet: Ecuador
50 Factsheet: Bolivia
51 Factsheet: Venezuela
52 Section 6: Chemical Distribution
53 Chemical Distribution
54 Interview: Brenntag Essentials Latin America
55 Interview: Univar Solutions
56 Interview: Química Anastacio
57 Interview: GTM Caldic
58 Interview: Pochteca
59 Interview: Tricon Energy
60 Section 7: Logistics
61 Logistics and Services
62 Interview: Leschaco
63 Interview: Vopak
64 Interview: Eurotainer
65 Interview: Stolthaven Terminals
66 Interview: Port of Antwerp-Bruges
67 Industry Thoughts: Logistics Innovation
68 Company Profiles (Sponsored Content)
69 Braskem Profile (Sponsored Content)
70 YPF QUÍMICA Profile (Sponsored Content)
71 Brenntag Profile (Sponsored Content)
72 Evonik Profile (Sponsored Content)
73 Article & Interview Index
74 Credits

Patricio Gutiérrez Chairman of the Board and CEO, GRUPO IDESA

"Upstream development is a long-term goal, but in the meantime a mix of private and public investment is necessary. This can have a significant impact and decrease the deficit in the trade balance. In the near term, the focus is on infrastructure development for raw material imports."

How has demand for Grupo Idesa’s different business units evolved in 2022?

The business unit which has performed best is our petrochemical division. We have seen good result in all our different products, especially in ethanolamines business. Grupo Idesa’s logistics division, including our terminal in the Port of Veracruz, has been underperforming. We expanded this terminal to provide service for gasoline and diesel handling capabilities. Our distribution arm, Alveg, is having a more difficult year as we have seen a lot of competition from local and international competitors.

Demand for ethanolamines remains strong, but other products in our distribution business have slowed.

To what extent could private investment in Mexico’s petrochemical sector improve the supply of feedstock?

There are significant opportunities for investment as Mexico still has a huge demand for chemicals, petrochemicals, and every type of raw material. It is critical to make investments upstream or the first steps of the value chain in terms of petrochemicals, as this will add value to Mexico’s abundant natural resources such as oil and gas. Upstream development is a long-term goal, but in the meantime a mix of private and public investment is necessary. This can have a significant impact and decrease the deficit in the trade balance. In the near term, the focus is on infrastructure development for raw material imports.

Braskem Idesa is making a huge investment, which allows for the flexibility to source raw materials independently if Pemex cannot supply the requirements. Once this new terminal is up and running, it will allow the industry to start making proposals to Pemex to try to optimize their existing assets and operate at a higher capacity. There might be options for companies to invest in certain assets together with Pemex and increase the production of different products that Mexico needs, such as ethylene oxide.

Which sectors are stimulating growth for Idesa’s Novidesa EPS (Expanded Polystyrene Foam) business?

The end market where we are seeing high demand is construction. This industry suffered throughout the pandemic, but demand is increasing due to a backlog of projects now starting up again. Approximately two years ago when the construction industry faced supply chain tightness for products such as polyurethane, the US housing industry started using EPS as a substitute. I believe that we will continue to see high demand for EPS in the construction industry moving forward, especially in the US and Mexican markets so long as we don’t see a significant slowdown in the economy in the north America region. Idesa used to do spot exports to the US in the past, but we now have supply contracts with clients for at least a three year term.

Which areas of digital transformation could make the most tangible difference for petrochemical producers?

The pandemic has provided different challenges and opportunities to become more efficient, and businesses are now going through digital transformation. Grupo Idesa is focusing on establishing a platform and system which will allow the company to implement any digital requirement that we have in the near future. We are especially focusing on our logistics division and trucking company where there are many opportunities to optimize operations, such as the paperwork process which can be digitalized. The Mexican government is also requiring more transparency and information about truck loads, and here digitization plays an important role.

Next:

Interview: Evonik Industries Mexico