The specialty chemicals industry in Latin America plays a pivotal role in innovation across various sectors. This landscape includes companies that specialize in producing advanced materials, additives, and formulations aimed at enhancing the performance of products in sectors like automotive, agriculture, and bioplastics. As the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions rises, businesses in this space are adopting green chemistry practices and focusing on biobased products. The industry is projected to grow rapidly, with an increasing emphasis on technological advancements and partnerships, positioning Latin America as an emerging hub for specialty chemicals solutions.

In the world of investment, the top specialty chemicals investors in Latin America vary in type and scale. Predominantly, venture capital and corporate firms are making their mark, with most headquartered in Brazil, a key player in the industry. Ranging from smaller teams of 1-10 employees to larger entities with over 5,000, these investors have collectively focused on impactful startups. With investments in 2024 ranging from one to 56, these firms sustain a targeted approach toward innovation, leaving significant footprints on the burgeoning specialty chemicals market.

Top 10 Specialty Chemicals Investors in Latin America

1. bossa invest

• Website: bossainvest.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Founded year: 2011
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 56
• LinkedIn: bossainvest

Bossa Invest is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in investing in innovative startups, particularly in the technology sector, while also providing capital, strategic guidance, and access to a network of co-investors. Bossa Invest has been involved in several notable transactions in the specialty chemicals context, including investments in Solugen, a biomaterials startup that raised $4.4 million for its plant-based bio-peroxide technology, and iMicrobes, which focuses on microbial solutions that could have applications in specialty chemicals. These investments highlight Bossa Invest's interest in supporting companies that are developing innovative chemical solutions, thereby fostering growth in the specialty chemicals industry.

2. Kptl

• Website: kptl.com.br
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Founded year: 2020
• Headcount: 11-50
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: inseed-investimentos

KPTL is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2020. With over 15 years of experience, KPTL has made more than 124 investments, focusing on innovative startups across various sectors. Among their notable transactions, Kptl invested in Akmey Biotecnologia Têxtil, which raised $898,392 in a Series A round in 2015, indicating a commitment to the textile biotechnology space, a field that intersects with specialty chemicals. Additionally, their investment in H3Polimeros, a company involved in polymer technology, further highlights their engagement in sectors relevant to specialty chemicals. Kptl provides capital and strategic guidance to help these companies grow and succeed in their respective markets, showcasing their role as a supportive investor in the specialty chemicals landscape.

3. Alpek

• Website: alpek.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
• Founded year: 1975
• Headcount: 5001-10000
• LinkedIn: alpek

Alpek S.A.B. de C.V. is a prominent chemical manufacturer based in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, founded in 1975. The company specializes in petrochemicals, particularly in the production of PTA (Purified Terephthalic Acid), PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), and polypropylene. Alpek serves a diverse range of industries, including food and beverage, automotive, and construction, emphasizing sustainable and innovative materials. Notably, Alpek has made significant strides in expanding its operations through strategic acquisitions. In 2019, they acquired a PET facility from Lotte Chemical in the UK, marking their first venture outside the Americas and enhancing their global polyester platform. Additionally, in 2016, Alpek completed the acquisition of Petroquímica Suape and Citepe from Petrobras for $435 million, further solidifying their position in the specialty chemicals market. Alpek operates multiple production facilities across the Americas, focusing on quality and environmental responsibility.

4. AIR Capital

• Website: aircapital.vc
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Founded year: 2021
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 13
• LinkedIn: air-capital-vc

AIR Capital is a venture capital firm based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, founded in 2021. The firm focuses on early-stage startups that are driving disruptive innovations relevant for humanity. AIR Capital provides both investment and consulting services, leveraging insights from their extensive experience in the technology sector. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of startups, emphasizing a commitment to fostering innovation. Notably, AIR Capital participated in the seed funding round for Puna Bio, which raised $3.7 million to commercially launch a soybean seed treatment in Argentina, highlighting their engagement in the specialty chemicals industry. Additionally, they have been involved in other ventures such as Done Properly, Ergo Bioscience, Aplife Biotech, and FeedVax, showcasing their broad investment strategy while still touching on sectors relevant to specialty chemicals.

5. Suzano Ventures

• Website: suzanoventures.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Founded year: 2022
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 3
• LinkedIn: suzano-ventures

Suzano Ventures is a corporate venture capital entity based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2022. It focuses on fostering innovation in the bioeconomy sector by providing capital, expertise, and access to global markets for startups developing sustainable solutions based on planted forests. The firm operates across various verticals, including biomass, sustainable packaging, and carbon management. Notably, Suzano Ventures has made significant investments in companies like Bioform Technologies, which secured a $5 million seed investment aimed at developing bio-based plastic alternatives and leveraging wood pulp-reinforced hydrogels. This investment highlights their commitment to advancing sustainable materials in the specialty chemicals space. Additionally, they invested in Nfinite Nanotech, which raised over $6.5 million in a seed round, further indicating their active role in supporting innovative technologies that may intersect with specialty chemicals.

6. Fen Ventures

• Website: fenventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
• Founded year: 2012
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 5
• LinkedIn: fen-ventures

Fen Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Las Condes, Santiago, Chile, founded in 2012. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage startups within the Latin American tech sector, providing not only capital but also strategic support and networking opportunities to entrepreneurs. In 2024, Fen Ventures participated in a $2.1 million investment round for Bioeutectics, a company focused on developing green solvents, showcasing their engagement in the specialty chemicals industry. Additionally, they were involved in the seed funding round for Michroma, which has a focus on innovative chemical solutions, further highlighting their interest in this sector. Their investment strategy aims to foster innovation and positive change, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable chemical solutions.

7. Disan Latam

• Website: disanlatinoamerica.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Cajicá, Bogota, Colombia
• Founded year: 1976
• Headcount: 201-500
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: disan-latam

Disan Latam, founded in 1976 and based in Cajicá, Bogota, Colombia, is a corporate investor specializing in the chemical and agricultural sectors. The company provides a diverse range of products, including fertilizers and raw materials, and offers specialized technological solutions aimed at enhancing productivity in agriculture and industry. In recent years, Disan Latam has made significant acquisitions to strengthen its position in the market. Notably, in June 2019, they acquired a 100% stake in Merquiand S.A.S., a move that likely enhances their capabilities in the chemical sector. More recently, in July 2024, Disan Latam, along with Disan Peru, acquired a 65% stake in Dresden Food Ingredients S.A. and all shares of Dresden Holding S.A.C., which includes indirect stakes in several other companies under the Dresden brand. These transactions reflect Disan Latam's commitment to expanding its influence in the specialty chemicals market, focusing on sustainable and innovative solutions.

8. Cmpc

• Website: cmpc.com
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Chile
• Founded year: 1920
• Headcount: 10001+
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: somoscmpc

CMPC (Compania Manufacturera de Papeles y Cartones) is a corporate investor based in Chile, founded in 1920. The company specializes in forest products, including cellulose, biopackaging, and personal care products, emphasizing sustainable and innovative solutions. In 2023, CMPC participated in significant transactions that highlight its engagement in the specialty chemicals context. Notably, they invested in Nordic Bioproducts Group, which focuses on bio-based products, and Pulpex, a sustainable packaging company aiming to produce paper bottles. Additionally, CMPC's acquisition of Iguaçu Celulose e Papel SA for approximately USD 166 million aims to bolster its position in the sustainable packaging market, further demonstrating its commitment to sectors that overlap with specialty chemicals. CMPC's focus on responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship aligns with the growing demand for sustainable solutions in the specialty chemicals industry.

9. Grupo Arancia

• Website: arancia.com.mx
• Type: Corporate
• Headquarters: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• Founded year: 1925
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: grupo-arancia

Grupo Arancia, founded in 1925 and based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, is a corporate investor operating primarily in the food service, biotechnology, and natural extracts industries. The company provides high-quality ingredients and logistics solutions to businesses in the food and beverage sector, as well as enzymes for industrial applications. Their focus on sustainability and innovation positions them as a key player in the market. Notably, Arancia has been involved in several significant transactions, including a Series B investment in Advanced BioNutrition, which raised $7.5 million in 2005, and a Series A investment in iwi Life, which raised $10 million in December 2022. Additionally, they participated in a Post-IPO equity round for NextFerm in September 2022. These investments reflect Arancia's commitment to supporting innovative companies that may contribute to advancements in specialty chemicals and related fields.

10. Savia Ventures

• Website: saviaventures.com
• Type: Venture Capital
• Headquarters: Mexico
• Founded year: 2023
• Headcount: 1-10
• Number of deals in 2024: 1
• LinkedIn: savia-ventures

Savia Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2023, based in Mexico, that focuses on climate technology investments in Latin America. They specialize in early-stage startups that are addressing climate change and provide advisory services to help these companies grow. One of their notable transactions includes participation in the seed funding round for Strong by Form, a bio-composite technology company that raised €4.8 million. This investment highlights Savia Ventures' interest in innovative materials that could be classified within the specialty chemicals sector. Additionally, they are involved in initiatives like the Savia Lotus Award, which supports Latina entrepreneurs in the climate sector, further emphasizing their commitment to sustainable development.

Specialty Chemicals Insights: Key Investors in Latin America

Investor	Headquarter	Size	Founded	Deals 2024
bossa invest	Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil	11-50	2011	56
Kptl	Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil	11-50	2020	5
Alpek	San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo Leon, Mexico	5001-10000	1975	0
AIR Capital	Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina	1-10	2021	13
Suzano Ventures	Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil	1-10	2022	3
Fen Ventures	Las Condes, Santiago, Chile	1-10	2012	5
Disan Latam	Cajicá, Bogota, Colombia	201-500	1976	1
Cmpc	Chile	10001+	1920	1
Grupo Arancia	Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico	1001-5000	1925	1
Savia Ventures	Mexico	1-10	2023	1

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