In order to be better placed to capture the growing Latin American plastics market, Japanese chemicals producer Kuraray (Tokyo; www.kuraray.co.jp) in mid-July held the official opening ceremony for its subsidiary, Kuraray South America Representações (São Paulo / Brazil). The new subsidiary, with capital of BRL 3.5m (about EUR 1.6m) will focus on developing group sales and marketing activities on the continent.

Commenting on the inauguration, Kuraray president Fumio Ito said: “Brazil and the rest of South America have enjoyed remarkable growth, making the region an indispensable aspect of Kuraray’s global strategy.” Brazil’s plastics association Abiplast (São Paulo; www.abiplast.org.br) said earlier this year that it expects the country’s plastics processing sector to grow by 6% in 2011 alone – see Plasteurope.com of 08.06.2011.