The National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) appointed Jesús Sáenz as its new president during its 67th Ordinary General Assembly. He succeeds José Carlos Pons, whose term has ended . The new president previously served as CEO of Quimobásicos .

Sáenz has a 30-year professional career in multinational companies, where he has held  management positions in regions such as South America, Europe, Africa, and Mexico . During his time at Cemex , he served as general manager in the Czech Republic and also as vice president of Strategic Planning and International Trade .

He has also participated in business organizations, most notably serving as president of the Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology (COMCE) Northeast and as a board member of various industrial and economic development institutions . His experience encompasses expertise in mergers, acquisitions, finance, and sustainability .

Sáenz assumes the presidency amid challenges such as the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is crucial for the regional flow of chemical inputs . The organization will seek to address issues of regulatory certainty and access to competitive energy sources . It will also prioritize the development of logistics infrastructure and compliance with environmental regulations .

On the other hand, the tenure of José Carlos Pons, who has now completed his term, was marked by progress for the sector. His period was notable for strengthening dialogue with authorities and defending competitiveness in the face of regulatory changes . Furthermore, he promoted an active agenda in sustainability and the circular economy.

ANIQ comprises 258 companies that represent more than 95% of the country’s private chemical production . The association was founded on November 11, 1959, as a civil association .

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At the inauguration, Rafael Zaga Saba , president of Canaintex, emphasized that the Mexican textile industry “is not a minor industry, but a force that transforms national raw materials into value, identity and future for more than one million Mexican families.”

The business leader warned that the sector is facing one of the most challenging periods in its recent history, with 10 consecutive quarters of declining textile manufacturing, job losses, and reduced production capacity. Even so, he insisted that it is a vibrant, strong industry with a future, generating more than 1.1 million jobs.

“We refuse to be a sector that only manufactures or labels. Behind every thread, every fabric, and every garment there is history, talent, and commitment to this country,” Zaga Saba emphasized.

A call to consume products made in Mexico

During his speech, the president of Canaintex urged consumers to “turn the label over” and choose products made in Mexico, as an act of trust and support for the national economy. He also asked manufacturers to strengthen their use of domestically produced cotton, fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and to maintain their production chains with strategic partners in the region.

“The recovery will not come from outside, but from the sum of our own decisions,” he emphasized.

Zaga Saba warned that smuggling and the misuse of programs continue to undermine fair competition within the sector, although he acknowledged the federal government’s efforts to close loopholes for illegal activity. He celebrated the approval of the new Customs Law, which excludes Strategic Bonded Warehouses in sensitive sectors, a measure that “ marks the beginning of a fairer and more transparent environment .”

He also highlighted the stance of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has reiterated that smuggling will not be tolerated and that the country must prioritize national content and import substitution.

The president of Canaintex urged manufacturers to work together with the Federal Government to eradicate bad trade practices and strengthen the domestic market, as a key strategy in the face of the 3.8% drop in manufacturing GDP in the second quarter of 2025.

“With joint actions by the government, industry, and businesses, the landscape of the value chain can change. Strengthening public finances and improving conditions for honest entrepreneurs is a win-win for Mexico,” he stated.

Zaga Saba concluded her remarks by highlighting that the textile industry is the most integrated in the country, “the one that is born in the countryside and proudly reaches the shop window,” and acknowledged that both President Claudia Sheinbaum and Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard “see ‘Made in Mexico’ not as a slogan, but as a vision for the country.”

“When this industry unites, Mexico becomes stronger. We have reasons to believe, reasons to unite, and the strength to build the future our industry deserves,” he said.

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Within the framework of the 57th National Chemical Industry Forum, the National Chemical Industry Association (ANIQ) and the Federal Attorney General’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) signed a collaboration agreement that seeks to raise environmental safety standards in the foreign trade of hazardous substances.

This agreement establishes the basis for improving coordination between both institutions in the areas of verification, inspection, technical training, and information exchange, with the goal of streamlining regulatory processes and raising compliance standards in the sector .

During the signing, led by Gabriela Ortiz Merino, Deputy Attorney General for Industrial Inspection and Surveillance, and José Carlos Pons, president of ANIQ, both highlighted the importance of this public-private collaboration as a model of environmental co-responsibility .

“Environmental protection and legal compliance are essential pillars for both the government and a responsible industry like ours. This agreement allows us to join forces to guarantee the safe and efficient handling of dangerous goods in foreign trade, while boosting the sector’s competitiveness,” Pons stated.

Among the alliance’s main commitments are joint supervision and technical training activities, as well as developing training and professional development programs for environmental verification personnel.

In addition, both institutions are committed to exchanging information and best practices to facilitate regulatory compliance; planning and carrying out coordinated operations to prevent irregular merchandise trafficking; and creating a monitoring committee that will develop an annual work program.

ANIQ pledged to promote the adoption of the collaboration scheme among its members , facilitate the use of its training platforms, and encourage participation in informational forums for customs agents, industrialists, and foreign trade professionals.

Pons also acknowledged Profepa’s willingness to incorporate the concerns of the industrial sector into the content of the agreement and noted that this agreement represents a significant step toward the administrative simplification proposed in Plan Mexico.

“We trust that this agreement marks the beginning of a closer and more productive relationship to achieve our shared environmental goals,” he concluded.

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The National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) held its 66th Ordinary General Assembly of Associates, where engineer José Carlos Pons de la Garza was appointed as the new president of the organization , succeeding Claudia Márquez Medina.

In his message, Pons de la Garza thanked the Board of Directors for their trust and noted that he will lead an administration focused on institutional strengthening, competitiveness, and representing the chemical industry before all its stakeholders: government, the private sector, and civil society.

“I take on this task with commitment, enthusiasm, and full awareness of the strategic role the chemical industry plays in the economic, social, and environmental development of our country,” he declared.

For her part, outgoing president Claudia Márquez presented a final report highlighting the organization’s achievements during her tenure. She highlighted ANIQ ‘s participation in energy reform and its collaboration with the government to implement key regulations .

He also highlighted the work the agency has done to address the challenges of water and electricity shortages in several regions of the country in the summer of 2024. He said ANIQ has developed solutions to mitigate the impacts on its members’ operations .

On the international level, Márquez highlighted the strengthening of ties with the United States and Canada , with the aim of defending the strategic role of the chemical and energy industries in the region.

” ANIQ will continue promoting voluntary compliance, the development of technical capabilities, and the adoption of best practices that allow our industry to remain an engine of growth for Mexico,” he stated.

The event also featured the presentation of the Best Practices in Comprehensive Responsibility Awards , which recognize the sector’s most outstanding projects in seven categories related to sustainability, safety, health, and the environment. The leading verifiers who performed the highest number of verifications in 2024 were also recognized .

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Chemical product logistics involves a series of challenges, since delicate and even dangerous goods are handled , which require mobility and adherence to regulations and special transportation, according to Roberto Canales, Supply Chain Manager at Pochteca , a company specialized in the sale of raw materials and chemical inputs for the industry.

In an interview with T21 , Canales pointed out that permits are required for all units and operators to be able to move chemical materials, especially those that are dangerous, which is why the transportation of this type of merchandise is becoming increasingly more specialized .

The chemical logistics chain has a series of requirements that must be met, as well as policies and requirements that have to do with the compatibility of the products being transported.

“You cannot mix materials that, in the event of a spill, could cause an incident, a fire, an explosion, and endanger the lives of the operator and people,” he explained.

There are organic and inorganic chemicals, as well as salts and other supplies, which are identified with a safety data sheet so that we know how to respond in the event of an emergency and what measures must be taken for their transportation.

“It is a very specialized logistics. In fact, I believe that all companies that transport chemical materials, or well, not all, but many, have chosen to register with the National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) because of how specialized it has become,” he explained.

Roberto Canales said that they use units that meet the standards for transporting their products , such as pipes with all the security measures for, for example, the handling of solvents.

Also in an interview, Alejandro Prieto , director of Koprimo , a company specialized in the distribution of chemical supplies and for various industries, indicated that the role of a distributor in the value chain is very important , since in his case they bring the materials from the United States in bulk by rail, which requires special care.

“When they arrive in Mexico, we take them to our facilities in Monterrey, Toluca, Guadalajara, Mexicali, Salamanca, and from there we normally repack everything in 25-kilogram sacks and transfer them to hoppers on trucks so they reach our end customer,” he told T21.

Dangerous products are transported in special transports, in addition to having to comply with regulations and controls , and they must also take into account the compatibility of the substances.

The manager said that the driver of the unit is important in the logistics chain of this type of products , since they have to be able to handle chemical goods.

Sodium bicarbonate, zinc powder, activated carbon, micronutrients for the field, mining exploitation agents, products for the plastics, ceramics and steel industries are some of the inputs they transport. Regarding storage, he said that dangerous products are separated and stored in a special place, to which only certain people have access.

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In the chemical industry, teaching new prospects and developing the workforce has made great strides towards having a qualified workforce , so it is important to develop curricula in accordance with new trends in the sector, such as dual education and disciplines in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, known as STEM .

In the Talent Development and Workforce Trends session , within the framework of the LVI National Chemical Industry Forum , Fernanda González , head of Learning and Development Mexico & Central America/head of Professional Education Latam at Siemens , highlighted the dual training model, which is implemented in that company, which has allowed them to retain and attract the best talent .

To date, they have more than 300 apprentices and 11 courses offered, most of them in STEM sectors.

He stressed that the programs last from one and a half to two years and that at the end, students respond to changing trends.

González stressed that this model, which helps to foster a culture of innovation and ingenuity, has a structure that ensures the training of students by combining theory and practice , and in which the business community, academia and the student are involved.

At the event organized by the National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) , Andreas Müller , deputy director general of the Mexican-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Camexa) , said that the dual model is used in Germany to link academia with industry so that students can develop their professional skills in a company.

Saving training costs, selecting the best students and ensuring the availability of qualified personnel in the long term, among others, are some of the reasons why companies participate in this educational model, he said.

For her part, Guadalupe Silva , former director of the Higher School of Chemical Engineering and Extractive Industries (ESIQIE) of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) , highlighted the interest of students in the chemical industry, and stressed that there is a significant number of women working in chemical engineering .

Industry 4.0, which involves the digitalization of equipment and systems and the use of technology such as big data , will impact the training of future chemical professionals with comprehensive and complementary education, Silva said.

Gabriela Martínez , rector of the Technological University of Mexico (Unitec) , indicated that trends in higher education in Mexico are diversifying academic programs , so it is important to promote STEM careers to take advantage of the relocation of companies in the country ( nearshoring ).

The connection with the productive sector is important so that the student graduates with knowledge of the industry in which he will work, Martínez stated in his participation.

In turn, Salvador Reyes , Vice President of Human Resources for Mondelēz Snacking de México , spoke about the development of the talent that collaborates in this company.

Having a culture of well-being and fostering a connection with employees is necessary to properly run a company’s operations , added Reyes, who also highlighted various projects they carry out, such as Mondeleads , which is an accelerated learning and training program that he described as a breeding ground for future leaders .

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that by 2050, 90% of jobs will be related to STEM skills , despite this, only 16.5% of graduate students in Mexico are being trained in these disciplines, revealed a study by Structuralia , an online school in that sector.

Given this situation, it is necessary to encourage students to train in these disciplines , which are currently among the most valued and best paid in the labor market.

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The chemical industry is one of the most active in the national economy in integrating production chains, demanding inputs from more than 30 branches and being a supplier to more than 40 branches, involved with sectors such as automotive, textile, aerospace, construction, household appliances and agriculture, among others.

Within the framework of the LVI ANIQ Forum organized by the National Association of the Chemical Industry (ANIQ) , Leschaco , a logistics services provider, is present to help companies in the sector find more dynamic solutions in the supply chain.

In its portfolio of services, Leschaco offers maritime, air, intermodal, tank container, contract logistics and LLP or 4PL transport.

Within the framework of the ANIQ Forum, Leschaco launched its 4PL services , with which it seeks to offer more efficient solutions to its clients and eliminate the complexity of the supply chain, taking advantage of the technological platform.

“The service offering is designed to streamline operations and access data-based information by managing logistics as a single point of contact for customers, linking with all service providers such as carriers or external logistics services,” said Francisco Gálvez, CEO of Leschaco Mexicana.

Through data analysis-based technology, Leschaco can generate suggestions to improve customers’ logistics.

“We identify all the information generated from the moment the order is placed, thus centralizing the information on the platform with end-to-end visibility. In addition, we can manage statistics, extraordinary expenses, visualize warehouses, analyze big data and logistics solutions with cost savings and operational efficiencies,” added Francisco Gálvez.

To offer this data-driven logistics solution, Grupo Leschaco works in strategic collaboration with the technology provider Logward , which operates as an independent provider of “software as a service” (SaaS), a platform that integrates transport, purchasing and supply functionalities in all modes of transport.

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Lila Abed, Mexico director of the Wilson Center Institute , noted that other risks include political polarization and cyberattacks, as well as the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Speaking at the 56th National Chemical Industry Forum , organized by the National Chemical Industry Association (ANIQ) , Abed said that tariffs imposed on certain Chinese products when Donald Trump was president of the United States were not lifted by Joe Biden, which created further tensions between the two nations.

Mexico is the weakest link in cybersecurity , so it is essential to make investments in this area, he stressed.

Regarding the economy, he reported that economic decline is one of the main risks for the North American region, which would affect the countries that make up the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC).

Lila Abed highlighted that one of the most relevant issues in this area is the election in the United States, since whoever wins, whether it is Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, will have their own policies and relations with our country.

He pointed out that there is a risk of “derailing” the T-MEC review process in 2026 , since both candidates are betting on the return of production chains to the northern neighbor through protectionist policies.

Meanwhile, Sergio Silva, who was appointed head of the Economic Development and Growth Unit of the Ministry of Economy and will take office on November 1, said that we are in a time of great geopolitical tensions, although a period of readjustment is coming.

In this regard, he suggested that Mexico’s position in the world should be considered, and pointed out that the result of the United States elections is up in the air, since, although the polls reveal that one of the candidates is above another, the reality is that the next president of that country will be defined by who wins the Electoral College and not the popular vote.

Beyond that, he said the conflict with China will continue , as will the US interest in an “aggressive” industrial policy.

This scenario creates challenges and opportunities for Mexico, especially due to the relocation of labor in our country ( nearshoring ), although Silva pointed out that it is important to know how to measure the indicators of this phenomenon, since it cannot be done by taking into account only foreign direct investment.

In this context, he said that the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) is asking companies what they are doing with their investments and whether they are the result of nearshoring.

Sergio Silva asserted that the relocation of companies cannot be everything in the economic sense, since Mexico must delve deeper into its own value chains, where the chemical industry is a factor to consider.

Mark Eramo, Senior VP Global Lead – Fuels, Chemicals and Resource Solutions at S&P Global , said that geopolitics affects decisions made by the chemical industry, and he considered that in the era of environmental change, we have to see how this sector responds when it makes an investment in energies that do not use hydrocarbons.

The specialist pointed out that the energy transition, which is aimed at Net Zero , must be done with the help of technology, and pointed out that in this industry a project cannot be carried out without first analyzing the environmental impacts.

Politically, Eramo agreed with the other panelists that the elections in the United States will be decisive in determining where this industry is headed.

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