In terms of volume, the decline was more intense: last year, composite molders consumed 2% less raw materials, totaling 206,000 tons.
On the one hand, we experienced interruptions and delays in investments in infrastructure from the federal government, which were added to the drastic fall in the transportation segment and the lack of creativity and innovative power of the composites sector,’ said Gilmar Lima, president of ALMACO. ‘As for the revenue, some factors sustained this close tie with 2013, such as the generalized increase in costs and the uncontrolled price increase charged by one of the fiberglass manufacturers.’
Main consumers
With a 51% share, the construction industry, in 2014, remained in the top ranking of the main consumers of polyester composites, ahead of transportation (15%), corrosion (12%) and sanitation (5%), among others – totaling 151,200 tons. Wind power generation accounted for 90% of the demand for epoxy-based composites. The oil market ranked second, with 5%. In total, 54,800 tons were processed.
For 2015, the organisation estimates a 2.4% revenue increase in the sector represented by ALMACO, totaling US$ 1.231 billion – consumption of 207,000 tons of raw materials (+0.5%).
‘Even with the expectation of a bad year, some projects that benefit composites can no longer be postponed, such as those to be held to mitigate the water and energy supply problems,’ said Lima. In the first quarter, the study estimates a revenue of US$ 327 million, 4.5% higher than the first three months of 2014.
