According to the final data released by the Brazilian statistics office, local exports of plastics and rubber products recovered in 2010, recording growth in volume as a consequence of improved national production. In 2011 a further 10% rise is forecast.
Sheets/foils/film were the main items and the prime export market was South America, with Argentine at the top of the rankings. As for rubber products, we mostly find reprocessed tyres with Argentine again as the principal destination.
Brazilian imports of plastics and rubber machinery posted 34% growth with respect to 2009, exceeding 790 million US dollars, principally because of almost doubled purchases of injection moulding machines. All the main international competitors have increased their sales to Brazilian moulders (including Italy, with almost 15 million dollars) but it is worth mentioning that imports from China more than doubled over 2009 levels.