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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

Ricardo Cuetos VP Americas – Standard Products, INEOS STYROLUTION AMERICAS

"There needs to be an openness to the energy market, especially for the chemical industry, allowing manufacturers to generate their own energy for internal usage. Less bureaucracy would certainly help the industry to grow."

What have been the highlights from INEOS Styrolution America in the last two years, including the demand trends you have noticed?

The past two years have been busy, and we were able to manage the situation to achieve good business results and grow in a difficult environment, while running our operations in a sustainable and safe manner. A major highlight is our new acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) plant in Bayport, Texas, which is in the final stages of construction. Additionally, we have increased the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) capacity at our Altamira plant in Mexico to fully cover the demand in North and South America. We have also been investing significantly in sustainability on a global basis, focusing on mechanical and advanced recycling and carbon footprint reduction.

Over the past two years, our styrenics product line has seen strong demand from the construction, automotive, medical, industrial, sports and leisure, and food packaging segments. As we cover a diversified market space, we were able to balance out decreased demand from some markets, while making increases in other sectors.

How has INEOS Styrolution’s Mexican plant dealt with rising energy costs and ensuring safe logistics?

INEOS Styrolution is a global company, allowing us to have the ability to leverage our global network. We produce the majority of our key raw materials in the US, and we have the great benefit of having access to the port in Altamira. However, the situation in Mexico does sometime present us with challenges.

The energy reform has been one of the factors causing gas and electricity prices to sharply increase. There needs to be an openness to the energy market, especially for the chemical industry, allowing manufacturers to generate their own energy for internal usage. Less bureaucracy would certainly help the industry to grow. High gas and energy prices have resulted in an increase in fixed and variable costs, which makes Mexico less competitive and attractive for further investment in the future. We hope that there will be some policy changes soon allowing energy permits for cogeneration plants.

Another challenge we see is the safety situation for logistics in Mexico – merchandise is being stolen from the rails or docks and on certain highways traveling is not safe.

Can you outline INEOS Styrolution’s vision for Latin America in the next two years?

INEOS Styrolution is committed to Mexico and despite the concerns and challenges I mentioned, we believe the country has a bright future, especially considering the reshoring and localization of production chains. I believe that we will see significant growth in Brazil and Argentina, and we will remain committed to these countries. There is also opportunity for growth in countries such as Colombia; we would like to continue growing our presence throughout Latin America, especially through the transfer of new technologies from Europe and the US into these markets.

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Sustainability