An annual production value of more than USD 39 billion in 2020, this is the scope of Mexico’s plastic manufacturing industry, a sector that has a strong foothold in the country’s industrial landscape.
Despite recent scrutiny of plastic products in the areas of food and appliance packaging, the plastics manufacturing industry has been resilient to market disruptions.
The push from the automotive and aerospace sectors
In 2020, plastic packaging production was driven by demand for cleaning products, food and beverages, and medicine.
Plastic materials are also an integral part of automotive components and aerospace parts, two sectors that drive the country’s economy. Mexico’s strength in these related areas open the door to increased business for plastic manufacturers as the need for robust supply chain vendors increases.
The geography of the industry
Over 5,000 plastic companies have operations in Mexico. Plastic manufacturers are located in numerous areas, including Coahuila, Sonora, Jalisco, Querétaro, Mexico City, Nuevo León, Puebla, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosí.
In particular, plastic manufacturing is the fifth most productive industry in Querétaro, a state dominated by aerospace and automotive manufacturing. The state’s plastics cluster supports Mexico’s competitive edge.
The details of the production
Primary plastics PET, PVC and HDPE account for almost half of all plastic resins produced in Mexico. A large variety of secondary and tertiary plastic materials, including PP film, PVC pipe and fittings, laminates and acrylic materials, are also produced.
Recycling technologies are also being considered by producers as the industry is urged to create sustainable economies to satisfy worldwide environmental commitments. In light of the above, bioplastics are being developed by companies, as an alternative to reduce non-recyclable waste.
The expectations for 2022
The last few years have been complicated for the global plastic manufacturing industry: in 2020 the sector suffered a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic (-9%), and last year it did not register growth; but for 2022 there is a more optimistic outlook. This improvement will be stimulated by the reactivation of sectors such as automotive and construction.
Sources: tetakawi.com, mexicoindustry.com, trade.gov, forbes.com.mx
