The flexibilization of the natural gas trade, which will allow access to the raw material at a competitive price, is indicated as a window for the development of the national industry, according to the experts who participated in the 5th Industry Day Seminar held last Friday ( 24/5), in Santo André, under the organization of the Committee for Industrial Development of Polo Grande ABC (COFIP ABC). The meeting hosted professionals from industry, public institutions, class associations, universities and consultancies to discuss development perspectives for the sector.

At the opening, Luís Pazin, president of COFIP ABC and industrial director of the Braskem Chemical Units in the Southeast, spoke about the management objectives ahead of the Committee and highlighted the efforts to strengthen the relationship of the industrial complex with the surrounding community, represented in the seminar by members of the Consultative Community Council (CCC). "We want to act in a harmonious way with all the publics to promote the continuity of the Petrochemical Pole," he declared.

The value of the chemical industry for the region was evaluated by federal deputy Alex Manente, president of the Chemistry Parliamentary Front (FPQuímica), who stressed the need for organized civil society's relationship with public power to advance this sector. "We have a great effort in the fight for the unlocking of the use of natural gas," said the Citizenship Parliamentarian.

Jose Paulo de Lavra, Secretary of Security of Mauá, praised the synergy established between COFIP ABC and the City Hall, in addition to reinforcing that the city is open to initiatives of the Committee. The same tone was adopted by Evandro Banzato, Secretary of Economic Development of Santo André, who spoke about the importance of connection between public power and private initiative.

Fernando Figueiredo, executive president of the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association (Abiquim), analyzed the industry development perspectives based on studies carried out by the entity and shared expectations, such as privatization of refineries, implementation of a new gas market, debureaucratization and regulation of chemical substances. "Brazil is heading," he said.

A new study on the chemical industry in ABC was announced by João Luiz Zuñeda, founding partner of MaxiQuim Assessoria de Mercado. The survey demonstrated the resilience of the Petrochemical Complex between 2013 and 2018, a period of economic instability in the country, with a 14% increase in the annual revenue of the Polo, which increased from R $ 8.5 billion to R $ 9.7 billion. preservation of 10 thousand jobs. Zuñeda highlighted the great potential of natural gas for the Brazilian economy and to leverage the sector. "The key is to make natural gas available on the mainland, in the state of São Paulo, and this is already being planned with route 4, which would bring natural gas to the continent from the pre-salt exploration platforms," he said.

Case - Robson Casali, Braskem Energy Business Development Manager, presented an innovation project focused on power generation, which is scheduled to be implemented by September 2020 and provides for the replacement of steam turbines with electric motors in the production at the petrochemical plant. "The project will increase the electrical reliability of the plant," he said.

The seminar received many leaders, such as Edson Sardano, Secretary of Citizen Security of Santo André; Paulo César Rodrigues, Deputy Secretary of Institutional Relations of Mauá; Kelly Fernanda e Silva, commander of the 3rd Subgroup of the Fire Department; Antonio Donizete da Silva, commander-in-chief of the Civil Defense of Ribeirão Pires; Marcos de Cayres, coordinator of the Civil Defense of São Bernardo; Edgar Brandão, executive secretary of the Intermunicipal Grande ABC Consortium; and Arnaldo Santos Jr., director of the Innovation Agency of the Federal University of ABC (UFABC).

About COFIP ABC

The COFIP ABC - Industrial Development Committee of Polo Grande ABC - is an entity created in 2015 with the purpose of generating synergy between industries, public power and the community, for the sustainable development of the Greater ABC / SP region. The institution represents its associates in specific areas, by promoting positive actions and identifying opportunities through technical groups.

The Committee currently has 13 associated companies: Air Liquide, AkzoNobel, Aquapolo, Bandeirante Química, Braskem, Cabot, Chevron Oronite, Liquigás, Oxiteno, quantiQ, Supergasbras, Ultragaz and Vitopel, and the Mutual Assistance Plan - PAM Capuava - which is a department of the institution. Go to www.cofipabc.com.br