The good moment in the international market, which has been recovering its numbers after a turbulent year in 2024, was reflected in the 48th edition of Fimec, in Novo Hamburgo/RS. At the event, the Brazilian Association of Companies of Components for Leather, Footwear and Artifacts (Assintecal), through Brazilian Materials, a program promoted in conjunction with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), held another edition of the Buyer Project with five groups of international buyers. According to the association’s report, on-site, more than US$ 2.15 million was generated, a number that jumps to US$ 12.4 million in sales that were negotiated during the event.

According to Assintecal’s International Market Manager, Luiz Ribas Júnior, the five groups, from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, did business with 47 companies during the fair. “The deals happened and showed that we are experiencing a new era for exports of footwear components and chemicals,” says the manager, highlighting that the exchange rate effect can already be felt at Fimec. “With the dollar higher against the real, Brazilian suppliers are able to obtain more competitive prices without losing profitability,” he adds.

During Fimec, buyers looked for uppers, synthetic laminates, leathers, insoles, chemicals, heels, soles, and other materials produced in Brazil. “In addition to the quality of the product and the more competitive price, the buyers’ groups were also drawn to the technologies applied combined with sustainability,” concluded Júnior. In addition to the rounds at the fair, buyers also visited companies associated with the entity and the Senai units in Novo Hamburgo and Estância Velha.

The fair

The 48th International Fair of Leather, Chemical Products, Components, Machinery and Equipment for Footwear and Tanneries (Fimec) took place between March 18 and 20 at Fenac, a space with over 10 thousand m² of exhibition area.

About Brazilian Materials

Brazilian manufacturers in the components sector interested in expanding their trade relations with the foreign market have the opportunity to participate, along with 300 other companies, in the Brazilian Materials project, carried out by Assintecal, ApexBrasil and Abrameq, which aims to promote good export performance and, consequently, the sector. The project has solutions suited to each level of internationalization, keeping commercial promotion, intelligence, training, among other actions within companies’ reach. For more information, contact us by email: relacionamento@assintecal.org.br

About ApexBrasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. To achieve its objectives, ApexBrasil carries out diverse trade promotion actions aimed at promoting exports and enhancing the value of Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits by foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian production structure, among other business platforms that also aim to strengthen the Brazilian brand. The Agency also works in a coordinated manner with public and private actors to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, focusing on strategic sectors for developing the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.