Argentina Plastics Sector

Argentina’s plastics sector accounted for 1.4 percent of GDP in 2022 with consumption averaging nearly 42 kg per inhabitant in the same year.  Packaging accounts for nearly 45 percent of plastics applications.  

Local manufacturing and imports from Asia, particularly China, and Mercosur countries, mainly Brazil, compete in the market. Companies including Dow, Ampacet Corp., Amcor, and BASF, own manufacturing plants in Argentina.  

The U.S. is the second largest exporter of plastic raw materials to Argentina, with 9 percent of the USD $2 billion import market, after Brazil (32 percent). The local industry processed 1.42 million tons of raw materials in 2022.  

Injection is the most important plastic transforming activity in Argentina and most of the injection molding equipment is imported.  U.S. injection machinery competes with comparable products from Italy and Germany who produce at a similar level of quality and price.  China has also recently emerged as market leader in equipment exports.

US exporters may continue to find opportunities in providing raw materials and equipment and machinery. U.S. companies exporting to Argentina typically market their products and services through Argentine agents, representatives, and distributors.  

For additional information, including market analysis, trade events, and U.S. Commercial Service offerings, please contact the U.S. Commercial Service in Argentina at Office.BuenosAires@trade.gov.  

*Statistics are based on the Argentine Plastics Industry Chamber report (www.caip.org.ar).