What are the key agenda points for the 2023 APLA Annual Meeting in São Paulo?

The focus of this year’s meeting can be boiled down to three big themes: First, a geopolitical analysis of the global energy markets and their specific impact on Latin America in order to understand the evolution of prices and availability of raw materials.

Then, we look at sustainability, with presentations on topics such as the reduction of carbon dioxide and new technologies available, the energy transition and adoption of renewables, and the circular economy.

Finally, the third is a detailed analysis of the socio-political landscape in the region. By delving into this theme, we want to help industry actors across the value chain to gain concrete perspectives on what the next years might bring. What were the main goals of APLA’s Sustainability Meeting in Santiago?

During our third sustainability meeting held this year in Santiago de Chile, we delved into projects with a core sustainable focus, as part of our vision at APLA to facilitate sustainable business development for the petrochemical and chemical industry in Latin America. Two major themes were brought to the fore: The regulatory frameworks currently in place and those being drafted both at the global level and at the UN with specialist speakers from our sister associations such as ASIPLA and ASIQUIM. Secondly, we looked at specific projects related to recycling and carbon abatement, taking as case studies advances in chemical recycling presented by YPF Química and Methanex’s projects for the reduction of carbon emissions and the use of methanol as an alternative fuel. We also heard from CCU about the impact of the recycling law in Chile and the company’s own sustainability plans, both in plastic recycling and in the use of alternative energies. Moreover, we hosted a panel on green hydrogen where Unigel showed its initiatives in Brazil. What are the most pressing concerns faced by your members in 2023?

First of all, new regulations implemented in different countries, which have prompted industry players to implement measures to provide effective compliance. On the other hand, there is the social impact, an aspect that differentiates sustainability in our region from Europe or the US. In Latin America, many people make a living out of waste separation and recycling. For this reason, the social aspect can never be ignored when putting together sustainability projects. Our challenge is to make the circular economy truly effective, including the cooperatives or groups that have managed to convert these processes into their livelihood, and provide them with a longer-term perspective. How do you think Latin American chemical players can leverage opportunities opened by the energy transition?

We believe that our industry can take great advantage of these opportunities by continuing investment projects that already exist in this field, such as the development of alternative energies and the optimization of industrial energy consumption. What product segments present the most growth potential in the region?

Today we are seeing new opportunities within our industry, which generally relies on imports. With the development of Vaca Muerta, we believe that there will be a mix of raw materials available, and that can be an opportunity for the development of other industries and for the reduction of trade deficits. In the Santiago meeting we examined an interesting case: Profertil, which shows a sustainable business approach within food production through efforts to make land more productive. What is your outlook for the petrochemical industry in the coming years?

Beyond the complex socioeconomic situation that presents its share of challenges to overcome, the outlook for the coming years is very positive. We begin to see a gradual improvement in economies, with a greater participation of our products, particularly in sectors such as automotive, construction and mass consumption. Would you like to share a final message?

At APLA we have a strong commitment to promoting joint work between brand owners and the industry to seek the development of increasingly sustainable products, reduce the use of some components, and develop new ones that are even more environmentally friendly. This is a clear approach to sustainable innovation, which means that any product improvement, discovery or optimization must consider the full life cycle. We are not innovating if we do not think about the final destination of a product or material. As an industry we have a great opportunity to continue moving in this direction.