Alagoas
Supply chain of optimism
Joint efforts by government agencies, organizations and businesses attract downstream plastics manufacturers to the Brazilian state of Alagoas
written by: Rodrigo Vilar
photos by: Márcio Lima
These figures were provided by the Marechal Deodoro Industrial District Business Association (ASSEDI/MD), a member of the Alagoas Chemicals and Plastics Supply Chain Forum, which is largely responsible for attracting these new factories to the area. That organization, which has Braskem as its lynchpin, also includes the State of Alagoas, the Alagoas State Federation of Industries (FIEA), the SENAI (National Industrial Apprenticeship Service), the SEBRAE (Brazilian Support Service for Small Businesses), the Federal University at Alagoas, and industrial district and worker associations.
According to Alagoas Secretary of Economic Development, Energy and Logistics Luís Otávio Gomes, the Forum’s representatives share a single objective: “Bolstering the business segment in the area of chemicals and plastics, thereby creating income and jobs.”
The effort to bring more downstream plastics manufacturers to that region began within the last three years, and the first challenge was to ensure that the government approved tax incentives that would differentiate Alagoas. “Today we have the best environment in the country for the development of this kind of supply chain,” underscores Wander Lôbo Araujo Silva, President of the Plastic and Paint Manufacturers’ Trade Association in the State of Alagoas (Sinplast). Jorge Bastos, an advisor to the Braskem directorate in Alagoas, explains that the new laws guarantee credit incentives, land for industrial areas at subsidized prices, and tax breaks. “In addition to ensuring that they have the same types of incentives available to similar companies in the Northeast,” he adds.
Aside from these advantages, the Marechal Deodoro and Governador Luiz Cavalcante industrial complexes provide a large supply of raw materials and inputs, industrial and service infrastructure facilities, a strategic location, since it is the hub of the consumer market in the North and Northeast, excellent transportation and shipment services and the quality of life offered by the nearby city of Maceió. “What we have here is a clear example of what happens when people, the environment and circumstances come together with a single aim, making the dream come true. The work being done here is a major step forward towards ensuring the perpetuity of this supply chain and guaranteeing the prosperity, development and diversification of the Alagoan economy,” observes Braskem Industrial Director Marcelo Cerqueira.
The arrival of these downstream plastics manufacturers has created the need for more skilled workers in that area. To meet the demand, the State of Alagoas and FIEA have created the BRL 3.5-million Plastics Technology Center (NTPLAST), with the support of the National Confederation of Industries (CNI) and SEBRAE. Affectionately called the Plastic School, the center is scheduled to open in August 2010 and will ensure that local teams obtain the job skills they require.