How did IMCD enter the Americas market, and what is the company’s growth strategy?

IMCD ventured into the Americas 11 years ago through a strategic acquisition of a local industrial chemical company in Brazil. Since our entry to Latin America, we have expanded our presence through three additional acquisitions in Brazil, one in Chile, Colombia, Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean. IMCD has also strengthened its logistics network and continues to grow in Mexico. Over the past years, IMCD has achieved notable growth across all global business segments, with strong representation, especially in Brazil.

Acquisitions play a crucial role in IMCD’s strategy; in the past year, IMCD has completed 23 acquisitions globally, with 11 in the first half of 2024 alone —almost one every two weeks. Each acquisition is carefully considered to ensure it aligns with our goals of improving market participation and consolidating our position in underrepresented areas. What would you say makes IMCD different?

At IMCD, we take pride in our long-standing tradition and expertise in the specialty chemicals market, having been founded with the goal of being a focused distributor of specialty chemicals and tailored solutions. Our strength lies in our technical capabilities, backed by substantial laboratory investments and a team of experts across various markets and technologies. This in-depth knowledge allows us to offer comprehensive solutions for customer formulations across diverse sectors such as food and nutrition, personal care, and paints.

In Brazil, we operate five specialized laboratories covering a range of sectors: paints, construction, personal care, food and nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. While we do not create new molecules, we excel in formulating and innovating within existing technologies. We actively participate in presenting technological innovations and finished product solutions to our clients, such as exploring options for textures and flavors in the food and nutrition sector and advancing pigments and formulations in paints. What is IMCD’s take on sustainability as a chemical distributor?

We are committed to incorporating sustainable practices throughout our operations, including transitioning to renewable energy sources across our facilities. For example, we have updated our energy suppliers to ensure that all the energy we consume comes from renewable sources.

On the other hand, we have a structure that aligns with reducing resource consumption, continuously seeking out products with stronger sustainability profiles compared to traditional options. While we recognize the need for a gradual transition in the segment in which we operate, ensuring that all are prepared for this shift is crucial. We are leaders in technology, and as such, we are dedicated to accelerating this movement and promoting sustainability. In which market segments has IMCD noted increased demand over the past few months?

The past few months have been quite intense since we introduced new products to the market and engaged with new suppliers, but it has been quite successful, especially in personal care, food and nutrition, paints, construction, and pharmaceuticals.

Despite economic uncertainties affecting specific markets, such as paintings —which are more reliant on investment and financing, we have seen positive developments in consumer-oriented sectors; for example, personal care, home care, and food and nutrition have shown resilience. I think this is because, just after the pandemic, there was a shift in consumer behavior looking for experiences; now, we are observing a slight increase in purchasing capacity, reflecting a more balanced consumption profile among families. Do you have any final thoughts to share with our audience?

Growth remains our top priority as we continue to expand our market presence. While we have a solid foundation, there are many opportunities for further expansion across different markets —specifically, we plan to focus on the agricultural sector. On the one hand, we will invest and upgrade our laboratories to maintain our leadership in technology. On the other hand, we are committed to strengthening our digital presence to improve our response time and efficiency, allowing us to serve our clients better.

Finally, despite its challenges, Latin America presents significant opportunities and potential. The region is rich in natural resources and has a population eager to embrace innovation, with consumers showing a strong interest in new products and experiences.