Mexican petrochemicals market

Last year, the biggest revenue segments for the Mexican petrochemicals market were acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and styrene butadiene rubber, poly butylene terephthalate and styrene butadiene styrere. However markets are expected to grow at the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2014 – 2020, at 11.3% and 8.7% respectively. The main reason for this growth is the steady stream of investments by automotive, electronics, and appliance companies, which are attracted to Mexico’s low production costs and strategic geographic location.

A new report from Frost & Sullivan, ‘Mexico Petrochemical Market Opportunity Analysis’ has found that the Mexican petrochemicals market earned revenues of US$1.06 billion in 2013 and estimates this to read US$1.64 billion in 2020.

Mariana Guercia, Energy and Environment Industry Analyst, Frost & Sullivan said, “while higher vehicle production is the main market driver for the petrochemical market, there is a marked trend toward making vehicles lighter to enhance movement and save fuel. This translates to higher demand for plastic materials to replace metal parts, but simultaneously, it also decreases the amount of rubber required per car.”

The influx of participants, especially from Asia, is upping competition in the market and thereby, lowering the average price of resins. The volatility of raw material prices is further constricting profit margins, as it is turning the market toward price based competition. However, the market has considerable government backing, which makes it financially viable to do domestic business and keeps the market buoyant in spite of the falling prices.

Guercia noted, “as Mexico has signed multiple trade agreements with various nations, manufacturers from most countries do not have to pay import taxes. The low costs of establishing business stimulate foreign investments, especially in new plants and factories of automotive, appliances and electronics industries, which are the main end users of these resins.”

Overall, due to the favourable environment created by the government and the country’s advantageous location, the petrochemical market in Mexico is expected to grow at a steady pace.

Edited from press release by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/07072015/mexican-petrochemicals-fands/