Latin America stories: bi-weekly summary

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Here are some of the stories from ICIS Latin America for the fortnight ended on 2 May.

NEWS
Brazil chems production still impacted by imports despite protectionist measures – Abiquim
Brazil’s chemicals production structural woes, such as high production costs, remain while imports continue making their way unabated, despite protectionist measures deployed by the government, according to the director general at producers’ trade group Abiquim.

INSIGHT: Mexico’s chemicals revive as tariffs woes ease (part 1)
When Donald Trump won the US election with a larger-than-expected majority, Mexican chemicals players started making plans for their businesses under what promised to be a disruptive second term for trade relations between the two countries.

Argentina savoring economic spring but recovery for all biggest task still pending – Evonik exec
After years in the doldrums, Argentina’s economy is finally going through some sort of “spring” thanks to sectors such as agricultural, mining and energy – but the country, however, is yet to achieve a recovery which works for all Argentinians, an executive at Germany’s chemicals major Evonik said.

Mexico’s improved fortunes on US tariffs propping up petchems demand – Entec exec
Mexico’s chemicals fortunes seem to be turning for the better after the country was spared from the most punitive US’ import taxes, according to an executive at chemicals distributor major Ravago’s Mexican subsidiary.

INSIGHT: Argentina faces up to rising inflation after currency controls lifted
Argentina’s decision to end foreign currency restrictions is set to devalue the peso’s official exchange rate and increase inflation but it was a vital step to normalizing a dysfunctional exchange rate system.

Mexico launches antidumping investigation into US PVC imports
The Mexican government officially launched an antidumping investigation into imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin from the US, following allegations of unfair trade practices that have impacted domestic industry at the end of April.

Brazil’s Braskem Q1 higher priced PE, PP sales in Q1 cannot offset lower PVC volumes
Braskem resin sales in its domestic market dropped by 4% in Q1, year on year, due to lower polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) sales volumes as the producer prioritized sales with higher added value, the Brazilian polymers major said.

Mexico’s Orbia earnings fall again while ‘trying’ to guess potential green shoots – CEO
Orbia’s Q1 sales and earnings fell again, year on year, with the Mexican chemicals producer already writing off any significant recovery in 2025 and “trying to figure out” potential green shoots for 2026, its CEO said on Friday.

PRICING
LatAm PE international prices steady to lower on competitive US export prices
International polyethylene (PE) prices were assessed as steady to lower as US export prices remain competitive.

LatAm PP domestic, international prices fall in Colombia, Mexico on cheaper feedstocks
Domestic and international polypropylene (PP) prices fell in Colombia and Mexico tracking lower US propylene costs. In other Latin American (LatAm) countries, prices were unchanged.

LatAm – Argentina PP domestic price range narrows as distributors try to compete with cheaper imports
Domestic polypropylene (PP) price range was assessed as narrower in Argentina. Distributors’ prices have fallen to compete with cheaper imports.