Brazil's chemical sector faces a significant challenge with a 58% import dependency, yet its domestic petrochemical demand is projected to grow by 16.8% annually through 2030. In 2022, major producers reported an average EBITDA margin of US$7.3 billion. This article examines the industry's expansion in areas like polyethylene production alongside persistent trade and regulatory constraints.
Key Takeaways
- 16.8% average annual growth (2022–2030) projected for Brazil's petrochemicals demand (middle/distillate and olefins-related demand index) according to UN data
- Brazil produced 1.18 million tonnes of polyethylene (PE) in 2022
- Brazil is ranked among the top 10 global producers of polystyrene, with output of 0.27 million tonnes in 2022
- Olefins nameplate capacity in Brazil reached 8.9 million tonnes/year in 2022
- US$ 7.3 billion Brazilian chemical industry EBITDA margin average reported by major listed chemical producers in 2022
- Brazil's chemical industry capacity utilization averaged 78% in 2022
- Brazil’s crude oil refining rate averaged 2.0 million barrels/day in 2023, supporting chemical feedstock availability
- Brazil’s export share for basic chemicals (SITC 5) was 14% of output in 2023
- Brazil’s chemical sector import dependence (net importer share) reached 58% in 2023
- Brazil’s regulatory framework under “RDC 301/2019” includes chemical risk controls for medicines and related manufacturing (compliance requirement for chemical inputs)
- 2,000+ companies are required to register under the Brazilian Product Registration scheme for chemicals used in agriculture (as maintained in MAPA’s systems data for 2023)
- Brazil’s ANP reports that 96.5% of fuels and petrochemical feedstock distributors meet inspection coverage in 2023
- Brazil’s chemical sector reported 8,300 occupational accidents in 2022 (CNAE 20)
- Average chemical manufacturing wage in Brazil was R$ 3,200/month in 2022 (CNAE 20)
- Brazil’s industrial emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from chemicals decreased 6% over 2019–2022 (state-level monitoring aggregation)
Brazil’s petrochemicals demand is forecast to grow strongly, while polyethylene, ammonia, and fertilizers keep output climbing.
Related reading
01 · Category
Industry Trends1 stats
01
16.8% average annual growth (2022–2030) projected for Brazil's petrochemicals demand (middle/distillate and olefins-related demand index) according to UN data
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Projected at 16.8% average annual growth from 2022 to 2030, Brazil’s petrochemicals demand points to a strong industry trends tailwind that should steadily expand the market for middle distillates and olefins-related products.
02 · Category
Production & Capacity7 stats
01
Brazil produced 1.18 million tonnes of polyethylene (PE) in 2022
02
Brazil is ranked among the top 10 global producers of polystyrene, with output of 0.27 million tonnes in 2022
03
Olefins nameplate capacity in Brazil reached 8.9 million tonnes/year in 2022
04
Brazil produced 3.1 million tonnes of ammonia in 2022 (fertilizer-grade)
05
Brazil nitrogen fertilizer consumption was 14.8 million tonnes in 2022
06
1.4 million tonnes/year of new ethylene capacity added across Brazil in 2021–2022 (aggregate expansions)
07
Brazil’s chlor-alkali production was 4.8 million tonnes (as Cl2 equivalent) in 2022
Interpretation
Production & Capacity Interpretation
In the Production and Capacity outlook, Brazil shows strong momentum with major scale-up in feedstocks and base chemicals, such as 8.9 million tonnes per year of olefins nameplate capacity and 1.4 million tonnes per year of new ethylene capacity added in 2021 to 2022, alongside 3.1 million tonnes of ammonia output in 2022.
03 · Category
Performance & Efficiency2 stats
01
US$ 7.3 billion Brazilian chemical industry EBITDA margin average reported by major listed chemical producers in 2022
02
Brazil's chemical industry capacity utilization averaged 78% in 2022
Interpretation
Performance & Efficiency Interpretation
In 2022, Brazil’s chemical industry showed solid performance with an average 78% capacity utilization and a US$ 7.3 billion EBITDA margin reported by major listed producers, signaling efficient operations and profitability.
04 · Category
Trade & Competitiveness7 stats
01
Brazil’s crude oil refining rate averaged 2.0 million barrels/day in 2023, supporting chemical feedstock availability
02
Brazil’s export share for basic chemicals (SITC 5) was 14% of output in 2023
03
Brazil’s chemical sector import dependence (net importer share) reached 58% in 2023
04
US$ 1.3 billion in chemical-related trade balance surplus for Brazil’s agrochemical segment in 2023 (net exporter)
05
Brazil exports 2.1 million tonnes of fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphate, potash) in 2023
06
Brazil imported 3.4 million tonnes of fertilizers in 2023
07
R$ 2.7 billion in customs taxes and duties were collected on chemical imports in Brazil in 2023
Interpretation
Trade & Competitiveness Interpretation
In 2023 Brazil leaned heavily into trade competitiveness, running a 58% net-importer dependence for chemicals while still exporting 2.1 million tonnes of fertilizers and delivering a US$1.3 billion agrochemical trade surplus.
05 · Category
Regulation & Standards3 stats
01
Brazil’s regulatory framework under “RDC 301/2019” includes chemical risk controls for medicines and related manufacturing (compliance requirement for chemical inputs)
02
2,000+ companies are required to register under the Brazilian Product Registration scheme for chemicals used in agriculture (as maintained in MAPA’s systems data for 2023)
03
Brazil’s ANP reports that 96.5% of fuels and petrochemical feedstock distributors meet inspection coverage in 2023
Interpretation
Regulation & Standards Interpretation
Brazil’s Regulation and Standards landscape is tightening and expanding as RDC 301/2019 strengthens chemical risk controls for medicine manufacturing, while 2,000 plus agriculture chemical companies must register under product registration rules and fuel or petrochemical distributors reach 96.5% inspection coverage in 2023.
More related reading
06 · Category
Employment & Labor2 stats
01
Brazil’s chemical sector reported 8,300 occupational accidents in 2022 (CNAE 20)
02
Average chemical manufacturing wage in Brazil was R$ 3,200/month in 2022 (CNAE 20)
Interpretation
Employment & Labor Interpretation
In Brazil’s chemicals industry, 8,300 occupational accidents in 2022 alongside an average manufacturing wage of R$ 3,200 per month highlights the ongoing employment and labor challenge of improving worker safety while maintaining pay levels.
07 · Category
Environmental Impact1 stats
01
Brazil’s industrial emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from chemicals decreased 6% over 2019–2022 (state-level monitoring aggregation)
Interpretation
Environmental Impact Interpretation
Brazil’s chemicals sector cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 6% from 2019 to 2022, signaling an improving environmental impact trend in monitored states.
08 · Category
Investment & Finance1 stats
01
US$ 0.9 billion investment committed to Brazil’s new chemical/petrochemical projects announced in 2022
Interpretation
Investment & Finance Interpretation
In 2022, Brazil Chemicals Industry attracted US$0.9 billion in committed investment for new chemical and petrochemical projects, signaling steady financial momentum for future capacity expansion.
09 · Category
Market Size1 stats
01
Brazil’s largest chemical companies increased total revenue by 10% in 2023 vs 2022 (aggregated results for major listed firms)
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
In the market size category, Brazil’s largest chemical companies grew total revenue by 10% in 2023 versus 2022, signaling solid expansion in the overall industry’s earning capacity.
report visual · Comparison
Brazil chemicals industry: growth vs utilization vs import dependence
Brazil’s chemical sector is projected for strong petrochemicals demand growth, with capacity utilization below full and notable import dependence.
Brazil's chemical industry capacity utilization averaged 78% in 202278%
Brazil’s chemical sector import dependence (net importer share) reached 58% in 2023
58%
16.8% average annual growth (2022–2030) projected for Brazil's petrochemicals demand (middle/distillate and olefins-rela
16.8%
source-verifiedunctad.org · fiesp.com.br · oecd.org2023
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Brazil Chemicals Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brazil-chemicals-industry-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Brazil Chemicals Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/brazil-chemicals-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Brazil Chemicals Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brazil-chemicals-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
25 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+8 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)