Unipac, Sumitomo Chemical achieve 3 years of successful partnership

With more than 20 years of experience in in-house production operations, Unipac, a member of Grupo Jacto and one of the most technologically advanced polymer processing industries in Brazil, has achieved many relevant successes, achieving a competitive advantage that places it ahead in the market. Over the past three years, Unipac has been operating its successful packaging manufacturing model within the Sumitomo Chemical plant located in Maracanaú (CE), as part of a strategic partnership that involves innovation, competitiveness and trust throughout the production chain.

With short, medium and long-term benefits, the success of the in-house operation at Sumitomo Chemical is the result of a well-structured project and investments made in equipment, physical facilities and infrastructure for operations, as well as the provision of services, logistics, testing laboratories and human resources. Every detail was considered to ensure that safety and sustainability standards have been followed. In 2021, the incorporation of another high-performance blowing machine allowed the expansion of production capacity, therefore, supporting growth in demand.

The success of the partnership is due to several factors, starting with a good understanding of the client's needs. “The quality of our products and our ability to integrate ourselves into the client's operation are fundamental factors for the consolidation of this project. One of the great advantages of in-house production at Sumitomo is the efficiency of the production lines installed close to the bottling plant, which has ensured the fluidity of operations and reduced costs,” said Mauro Fernandes, Unipac's Commercial Director.

However, quality and cost were not only decisive to the union between Unipac and Sumitomo, credibility, socio-environmental commitment and innovation, aspects present in the culture and values of both companies, were also crucial.

The in-house unit has a total area of 4,500 m², including the building, sheds, support area with a laboratory, rest and training areas, and a cafeteria. Unipac's team of collaborators is responsible for the entire operation seven days a week, and, currently, the company supplies a complete portfolio of packages, from monolayers and barriers to the fillings of agricultural pesticides.

Solid base

The partnership between the companies began in 2017 involving Nufarm, later acquired by Sumitomo Chemical. Quality, technical capacity and corporate values were fundamental to the consolidation of the business, which became a structural and corporate model.

According to Marcelo Amaral, Director of Procurement Latam at Sumitomo Chemical, Unipac is more than just a partner, it is an extension of the company in the Maracanaú industrial complex. “An in-house operation requires a lot of time and is only viable between companies with the seriousness and credibility that Unipac has. We are sure that the decision was correct and directly contributed to Sumitomo Chemical's growth, though providing excellent service and ensuring quality, delivery time and innovation in our packaging,” he said.

For Unipac, the partnership with Sumitomo opened up new opportunities for operations in different regions of the country. “It helped us to develop policies, learn the culture and new ways of working, and respect the characteristics of the region. We improved our in-house management model and our relationship program to support customer growth, aimed at ensuring that their needs are met and achieving supply security,” Fernandes added.