Chemicals in Mexico Strategic Priorities and Investments Analysis¶

Strategic Priorities¶

Major players in the Mexican chemical industry are defining their strategic priorities based on their position in the value chain, market dynamics, and global corporate strategies.

Alpek, a significant petrochemical producer, appears to be strategically focused on its core chemical business units, particularly PTA, PET, and other polymers and chemicals. The approved spin-off of ALFA's stake into "Controladora Alpek," expected in 2025, indicates a strategic move towards greater independence and potentially a sharper focus on the growth and optimization of its chemical operations as a standalone entity. [47]

Orbia Advance, a diversified global provider with substantial chemical interests through its legacy as Mexichem, is strategically focused on a broader transformation. Their stated purpose centers around "people, profit, and planet," indicating a strategic priority towards sustainable value creation and a reorganization of leadership and operations to align with this purpose. [2]

Brenntag SE, a global leader in chemical distribution with a strong presence in Mexico, has a clear strategic priority on growth, particularly through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), in key regions like Latin America. This strategy aims to expand their market reach and service capabilities. [6]

Univar Solutions, another leading global chemical and ingredient solutions provider operating in Mexico, prioritizes being a principal distributor and a solutions provider with value-added services. Their strategic focus involves leveraging their global network and local expertise to serve diverse industries in Mexico. [22]

Grupo Pochteca is strategically positioned as a significant distributor, with a notable focus on the specialty chemical distribution market in Mexico, leveraging its local presence. [5]

Química Delta, prior to its acquisition, focused on being a leading distributor of chemical products and base oils in Mexico, emphasizing service and connecting suppliers and clients. [3]

Idesa Petroquímica / Braskem Idesa's strategic priority is centered on large-scale petrochemical production, specifically ethylene and polyethylene, through the operation and optimization of the Ethylene XXI complex to serve both domestic and international markets. [7]

KALUZ, as a major shareholder in Orbia Advance, influences the strategic direction of Orbia, thereby having an indirect strategic priority within the chemical sector focused on the performance and strategic evolution of its significant investment. [6]

Recent and Planned Investments¶

Based on the provided information, the following recent and planned investments by key players in the Mexican chemical industry have been identified:

Player Name	Type of Investment	Description	Status/Timeline	Alignment with Strategic Priority
Alpek	Corporate Restructuring	Spin-off of ALFA's stake in Alpek into a new entity, "Controladora Alpek".	Approved by shareholders (Oct 2024), expected completion 2025. [1]	Aligns with focusing on Alpek's core chemical business as a more independent entity. [1]
Brenntag SE	Acquisition	Agreement to acquire Química Delta, a Mexican chemical distributor.	Agreed (May 2024), expected to close in Q3 2024. [37]	Directly aligns with Brenntag's growth strategy through M&A in Latin America and expanding its distribution network in Mexico. [6]
Univar Solutions	Merger Agreement	Definitive merger agreement with affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc.	Entered into in 2023. [4]	Aligns with strengthening Univar Solutions' position as a leading global solutions provider and principal distributor, impacting its Mexican operations. [22]
Química Delta	Acquisition (by Brenntag)	Agreement to be acquired by Brenntag SE.	Agreed (May 2024), expected to close in Q3 2024. [37]	Represents a strategic exit/integration into a larger global player, aligning with its position as a leading distributor in Mexico. [3]
Idesa Petroquímica / Braskem Idesa	Financing	Received around US$1.5 billion from the project finance structure.	Occurred, likely related to the Ethylene XXI project. [52]	Supports the ongoing operations and potential optimization or expansion related to the large-scale Ethylene XXI petrochemical complex. [7]

Note: While the Ethylene XXI project by Braskem Idesa is a significant investment ($5.2 billion USD), it began operations in early 2016 and is not a recent planned investment in the context of 2024-2025, though the recent financing received might be related to its financial structure. [52, 8]

References¶

Alpek. ANNUAL REPORT. https://alpek.com/storage/cms/annual-report-2023.pdf
Orbia Advance.
Química Delta: Distribuidora de Productos Químicos en México. https://quimicadelta.com/
Univar Solutions.
Grupo Pochteca.
Brenntag. Distribución de productos químicos en Mexico. https://www.brenntag.com/en-mx/
Idesa Petroquímica - Inicio. https://www.idesa.com.mx/petroquimica
Publications. La cadena de valor de productos químicos en México. https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/сию/La-cadena-de-valor-de-productos-quimicos-en-Mexico.pdf
MarketScreener. Brenntag SE agreed to acquire Quimica Delta, S.A. De C.V. (2024-05-06). https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/BRENNTAG-SE-12401448/news/Brenntag-SE-agreed-to-acquire-Quimica-Delta-S-A-De-C-V--46647410/
PitchBook. Idesa Group 2025 Company Profile: Valuation, Investors, Acquisition. https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/105647-01
Braskem Idesa. BRASKEM IDESA RECEIVES AROUND US$1.5 BILLION. https://www.braskemidesa.com.mx/en/press_releases/braskem-idesa-receives-around-us15-billion-from-the-project-finance-structure-for-the-petrochemical-complex-in-mexico/
ANIQ. PANORAMA NACIONAL DE LA INDUSTRIA QUÍMICA. (2024-05-06). https://www.aniq.org.mx/Home/Noticia/138
Univar Solutions. Distribuidor de productos químicos e ingredientes de México. https://www.univarsolutions.com/es/locations/latin-america/mexico/
Bullfincher. Largest Specialty Chemical Companies in Mexico by Revenue. https://bullfincher.com/rankings/largest-companies/mexico/specialty-chemical