The plastics industry in Brazil earned US$ 1.1 billion from exports of processed plastic products, according to data disclosed by the Brazilian Plastics Industry Association (Abiplast). There was a 15% decline compared with 2008.
Worldwide, the segment posted revenues of 35.9 billion Brazilian reais (US$ 22.1 billion) last year. Revenues also dropped in comparison with the previous year, by 12.2%. There was growth, however, in terms of production volume.
A total of 5.19 million tonnes were processed, representing growth of 1% over the previous year. According to the Abiplast, consumption in Brazil totaled 5.38 million tonnes, a figure 1.6% greater than in 2008.
Sector imports, in turn, totaled US$ 2.10 billion, a decline of 11.8% compared with the previous year. Thus, the sector ran a foreign trade deficit, i.e., the difference between imports and exports, of US$ 918 million in 2009.
The plastics industry brings together 11.200 companies and generates over 315,000 direct jobs in Brazil.
Anba