White Martins wants to enter 2026 with an investment package of R$ 1 billion on the radar and a clear strategy: to grow with industrial gases, expand green hydrogen projects, and open new fronts to serve heavy sectors of the Brazilian economy. The move comes even in a high-interest scenario, which usually pressures expansion decisions.
The company’s plan gains weight because the company already operates on a large scale in the country. Today there are more than 70 production plants and more than 120 business units, operating in segments that depend on continuous supply, such as steel, mining, pulp and paper, glass, and petrochemicals.
According to exame.com, the forecast is for annual revenue exceeding R$ 8 billion in Brazil this year, in addition to about US$ 2 billion in South America. The Brazilian market accounts for approximately 70% of regional revenue.
The CEO of White Martins, Gilney Bastos, states that the company maintains an optimistic outlook for Brazil and South America. The idea, according to him, is to continue investing without resorting to heavy debt.
“We are a very robust company. We don’t need to go into debt to invest. On the contrary, we want to grow with the Brazilian industry,” said the executive.
In addition to the R$ 1 billion planned for next year, the company is also working with a portfolio of over R$ 1.5 billion in short and medium-term opportunities.
New plant in Campo Bom has already become a showcase for the strategy
Among the most recent highlights is the unit inaugurated in October, in Campo Bom (RS). The project received US$ 40 million, equivalent to over R$ 200 million, and was designed to serve a glass industry and also the regional market.
The plant has the capacity to produce about 250 tons per day of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. According to the company, it is the first unit with the new technological model after the merger between Praxair and Linde.
The goal, according to Bastos, is to combine greater efficiency with lower production costs. The strategy also involves being physically close to customers, reducing logistical expenses and increasing supply reliability.
Green hydrogen gains ground in Brazilian operations
White Martins also wants to accelerate the production of green hydrogen, although the segment still depends on regulation in Brazil. Even so, the company inaugurated its second plant of this type in the country earlier this month, in Jacareí (SP).
The first unit was opened in Pernambuco in 2022. Together, the two plants have a combined production capacity of over 1,000 tons per year.
The São Paulo plant has the capacity to produce 800 tons per year. Of this volume, 20% will go to the glass manufacturer Cebrace, in the interior of São Paulo, and 80% will be destined for clients in the metallurgical, food, and chemical sectors in the Southeast region.
The company states that the unit is fully powered by renewable energy and that the hydrogen will undergo certification aligned with international standards. The investment amount was not disclosed.
Natural gas cost remains an obstacle for the industry
Even advancing in energy solutions, the executive sees the cost of natural gas in Brazil as one of the main barriers to industrial competitiveness. Bastos compares the price practiced in the country with that of other markets and says the difference is too large.
According to him, on average, natural gas in Brazil costs between US$ 13 and US$ 14 per million BTU. In the United States, the range is between US$ 2 and US$ 3. In Argentina, the value would be US$ 1.
For the CEO, this mismatch affects the ability to internally produce items such as plastics, chemicals, and thermoplastics. The company’s view is that Brazil ends up losing value by importing products that could be manufactured in the country.
With more investments, new plants, and an increasing focus on hydrogen, White Martins wants to maintain the pace of expansion and stay close to the Brazilian industry. If the plan goes as projected, 2026 should mark a new phase for operations in the country. If you wish, share this news with those who follow industry, energy, and investments in Brazil.
