“Momentive is locating resources where they are needed most and where they can achieve the greatest growth. In Latin America, that is Mexico.”
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Could you summarize Momentive’s 2025, including its main highlights?
The Latin American market has been, in general terms, challenging throughout 2025. This is visible in the regional GDP, which is not expected to recover before Q2 2026. Nonetheless, there is significant variability among countries, with Argentina having recovered in macroeconomic terms, although still lagging in consumption. Given the importance of agriculture to Momentive, we have focused on that sector in Argentina. Brazil´s economy has stagnated because of the high interest rates. Colombia has become our third most relevant market in the region, and we plan to continue investing there. Several countries are heading toward elections, adding to the prevailing uncertainty.
Nonetheless, some sectors have shown resilience, most notably the agrochemical market, essential to crop protection, and the automotive industry, which exceeded expectations. Likewise, the personal health sector has remained steady.
Momentive also has a new CEO, who is focusing on enhancing the company’s efficiency and flexibility to best meet and exceed our customers’ needs. In summary, it has been a good year for Momentive in the region.
Can you comment on the launch of HarmonieTM NatuVel?
Harmonie NatuVel gel, mainly designed for skin and haircare, is poised to revolutionize the market. It is 100% natural while boasting the same properties as silicone. It has already earned several awards since its recent launch at Global In-Cosmetics Amsterdam, on April 9th 2025, one of the most notable is the Gold Award for Best Functional Ingredient at in-cosmetics São Paulo. This underscores our commitment to technology and innovation, key areas where we add value. Our motivation as a company is enabling our clients to be more efficient, sustainable, and, quite simply, better. Harmonie NatuVel gel is an example of how we do so.
What are the reasons behind the sector’s shift toward specialty chemicals?
For the broader sector, the tendency has been fueled by the market’s desire for new technologies and their capacity to add value to clients and create new products. Nevertheless, the willingness to move the large volumes that commodities entail will remain. For Momentive, it is only logical when they are within a package that broadens our customers’ opportunities in the specialty chemicals space.
The Latin American market has also been motivated toward specialties because of changing global trends. Our market feels pressure from commoditized Chinese products and so-called specialties that often fall short of true specialty standards. Since the US restricted these products, many of them, especially from China, have been redirected to the Latin American region, further incentivizing the shift toward specialties.
Moreover, while commodities are more volatile, specialties are more sustainable in the long term, because they are more in line with new customer expectations and they are more technologically advanced. I think the Latin American market is making great strides to advance its specialty products.
How important is Mexico for Momentive?
Momentive is locating resources where they are needed most and where they can achieve the greatest growth. In Latin America, that is Mexico. One of the largest markets globally, Mexico produces experts that support several key industries, such as the automotive, personal care, and agriculture industries.
What is the outlook for Mexico amidst global geopolitical tensions?
The building of synergies will be the only way to remain competitive. Mexico has free trade agreements with 52 nations, underscoring its global market importance. This will continue to attract foreign investment, including from China, as it seeks new markets to sell to and invest in. I think Mexico has the opportunity to attract the best from both global trading partners and the local economy.
What does the launching of the CARE program or your effort in reducing your GHG emissions say about your commitment to ESG?
Sustainability is among the most pressing trends, driving us to reduce our carbon footprint through facility modernization and new, more environmentally friendly products. Proving our longstanding commitment to ESG is our Itatiba plant in Brazil. It is a center of excellence for safety, sustainability, and efficiency, with some of the most competitive costs globally.
What are Momentive’s future outlooks?
We plan to continue investing in the Latin American region. In Mexico, we plan to continue to invest in our hub, which we initially opened by September 2024
Could you summarize Momentive’s 2025, including its main highlights?
The Latin American market has been, in general terms, challenging throughout 2025. This is visible in the regional GDP, which is not expected to recover before Q2 2026. Nonetheless, there is significant variability among countries, with Argentina having recovered in macroeconomic terms, although still lagging in consumption. Given the importance of agriculture to Momentive, we have focused on that sector in Argentina. Brazil´s economy has stagnated because of the high interest rates. Colombia has become our third most relevant market in the region, and we plan to continue investing there. Several countries are heading toward elections, adding to the prevailing uncertainty.
Nonetheless, some sectors have shown resilience, most notably the agrochemical market, essential to crop protection, and the automotive industry, which exceeded expectations. Likewise, the personal health sector has remained steady.
Momentive also has a new CEO, who is focusing on enhancing the company’s efficiency and flexibility to best meet and exceed our customers’ needs. In summary, it has been a good year for Momentive in the region.
Can you comment on the launch of HarmonieTM NatuVel?
Harmonie NatuVel gel, mainly designed for skin and haircare, is poised to revolutionize the market. It is 100% natural while boasting the same properties as silicone. It has already earned several awards since its recent launch at Global In-Cosmetics Amsterdam, on April 9th 2025, one of the most notable is the Gold Award for Best Functional Ingredient at in-cosmetics São Paulo. This underscores our commitment to technology and innovation, key areas where we add value. Our motivation as a company is enabling our clients to be more efficient, sustainable, and, quite simply, better. Harmonie NatuVel gel is an example of how we do so.
What are the reasons behind the sector’s shift toward specialty chemicals?
For the broader sector, the tendency has been fueled by the market’s desire for new technologies and their capacity to add value to clients and create new products. Nevertheless, the willingness to move the large volumes that commodities entail will remain. For Momentive, it is only logical when they are within a package that broadens our customers’ opportunities in the specialty chemicals space.
The Latin American market has also been motivated toward specialties because of changing global trends. Our market feels pressure from commoditized Chinese products and so-called specialties that often fall short of true specialty standards. Since the US restricted these products, many of them, especially from China, have been redirected to the Latin American region, further incentivizing the shift toward specialties.
Moreover, while commodities are more volatile, specialties are more sustainable in the long term, because they are more in line with new customer expectations and they are more technologically advanced. I think the Latin American market is making great strides to advance its specialty products.
How important is Mexico for Momentive?
Momentive is locating resources where they are needed most and where they can achieve the greatest growth. In Latin America, that is Mexico. One of the largest markets globally, Mexico produces experts that support several key industries, such as the automotive, personal care, and agriculture industries.
What is the outlook for Mexico amidst global geopolitical tensions?
The building of synergies will be the only way to remain competitive. Mexico has free trade agreements with 52 nations, underscoring its global market importance. This will continue to attract foreign investment, including from China, as it seeks new markets to sell to and invest in. I think Mexico has the opportunity to attract the best from both global trading partners and the local economy.
What does the launching of the CARE program or your effort in reducing your GHG emissions say about your commitment to ESG?
Sustainability is among the most pressing trends, driving us to reduce our carbon footprint through facility modernization and new, more environmentally friendly products. Proving our longstanding commitment to ESG is our Itatiba plant in Brazil. It is a center of excellence for safety, sustainability, and efficiency, with some of the most competitive costs globally.
What are Momentive’s future outlooks?
We plan to continue investing in the Latin American region. In Mexico, we plan to continue to invest in our hub, which we initially opened by September 2024
