How is the plastics industry evolving in Colombia?
The plastics industry in Colombia is transversal in the national economy. It is the engine of hundreds of industries and companies that use plastic in every stage of their production process. It is also a sector that is constantly innovating to keep up with global trends, seeking more environmentally responsible solutions and green technology. Find out how the plastics industry has advanced in Colombia and where it is today.
The latest advances
One of the strongest global trends is sustainability, and Colombia is one of the countries that is committed to this. For this reason, the country recently took an important step in banning single-use plastic.
With the new regulation, this type of plastic can no longer be used in green production and marketing processes of companies in the country, giving advantages to those that use plastic in a more sustainable way, using recycling methods and boosting the circular economy. Among the goods banned are: bags, bag rolls, mixers, straws and balloon holders.
In addition, the measure seeks to educate and sensitize the final consumer about the responsible use of plastic and plastic recycling, which will make the domestic market tend to prefer goods and companies with these sustainable practices.
The aim is to achieve recycling goals of 50 % of raw materials, initially, reaching 90 % by 2030. The competitive supply of alternative materials will also be promoted, and economic incentives will be established for the research and development of these materials.
Other incentives include the promotion of industrial recycling, reusable packaging systems and lines of credit to encourage companies in this sector.
All this is an advantage for the plastics industry in Colombia, as it allows it to keep up with new global trends, in which sustainability is becoming increasingly important. In this context, the country's industry is constantly innovating to be able to compete in the international and domestic market.
Learn about other sustainable developments in the country here.
Plastics in Colombia's production chain
As we said at the beginning, plastic is part of several industries in the country of beauty. It participates in sectors such as packaging, which has a great capacity for customization; in the agricultural sector; and in the construction sector, among many others.
This gives it a leading role in the national economy, as it allows the development of several industries both in the domestic market and in Colombia's export chain.
Its importance is so great that, for example, 65% of the packaging exported by Colombia is made of plastic, far exceeding the second most used material, which is paper and cardboard, with a 12% share, according to DANE data.
In addition, the plastic packaging subsector grew 12% in exports between January and July 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. This shows a growth trend in this area.
Colombia is aware of the importance of plastic for its economy, and for this reason major events are organized in the country around this topic. One of these is ColombiaPlast, which is one of the most important meetings for the plastics, rubber, petrochemical and packaging industry in the Andean region, Central America and the Caribbean, bringing together businesspeople and promoting business, innovation and sustainability in this industry.
New trends in Colombia and sustainable plastics
In Colombia and the world there are new trends in the use and production of plastic. Among these are the development of bioplastics and the integration of recycling to produce new goods made with plastic, under a circular economy model, to make the most of the raw material and the goods previously made and used.
This is positioned as an alternative to single-use plastic, which has less and less place in the national industry, promoting ecological designs and innovation in industries that use or produce plastic.
Invest in Colombia
All this shows that Colombia, the country of beauty, is a place where innovation is constantly taking place in all its industries with clean technology. The country keeps up to date to comply with new international regulations and maintain its competitive position in the global market, giving international investors the possibility to enter the country, offering tariff benefits for sustainable investments in the country.
Learn more about the benefits for sustainable investments here.
Invest in Colombia and discover a country that is waiting to welcome you with sustainable and innovative solutions in Latin America. Discover investment opportunities here.
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