The fourth edition of the World Plastic Connection Summit is bringing together industry experts in plastic processing, design, and sustainability in São Paulo, Brazil.
Taking place between April 8 and 10, the event is organised by Think Plastic Brazil and the Brazilian Plastic Institute (INP) in partnership with ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).
The event combines eight streams, including a conference, technical visits, an award session, the launch of the colour trend book, and business rounds aimed at boosting the internationalisation and competitiveness of Brazilian companies.
Speaking at the conference’s opening session, Carlos Moreira, Think Plastic Brazil CPO, said the event is a forum to develop new strategies to do business globally at a time when Trump’s tariffs have disrupted the world order. Brazilian companies are looking to diversify their market exposure, with Africa and the Middle East as key targets
Americo Bartilloti Neto, Executive President at INP and VP Sales for Braskem highlighted the role of Brazil’s largest plastic producer in supporting the event since its inception and Think Plastic Brazil for almost 25 years, with the goal of making Brazil a leader in plastics at home and globally.
The conference is expected to attract over 20,000 guests from over 126 countries. Sustainable Plastics is one of the five international publications invited to report on the event, which aims to set the Brazilian plastics industry as a global trendsetter.
“The agenda has been carefully structured to provide a broad overview of key global trends, covering everything from the internationalisation of business to the impact of artificial intelligence and accessibility on design,” Moreira said. “We expect attendees to leave the meeting not only informed but inspired to innovate and lead the next phase of the industry.”
The morning session includes a roundtable discussion with the traditional emphasis on design, with Marco Lobo, Dijon de Moraes, and Gisele Raulik joining as speakers to discuss the main trends in the sector.
Ângela Hirata, director of foreign trade at Alpargatas, the footwear manufacturing company that owns the world-famous Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas, will share her experience in taking Brazilian brands to the international market.
The 2026 edition of the Colour Trend book will be launched at the event, an international guide to colour trends curated by Brazilian architect Marcelo Rosenbaum.
Among the highlights of the programme is a keynote speech by renowned economist Ricardo Amorim, who will address the impact of AI in the plastics processing.
“Artificial Intelligence is reshaping entire industries, and the converted plastics sector is no exception,” Amorim said. “Companies that know how to take advantage of this revolution will have significant competitive advantages in the coming years.”
Source: sustainableplastics.com
