Adjust Chile's Plant Capex Across Time
Plant construction costs in Chile shift month after month — and a capex reference from a past study needs adjusting before it can guide a current decision. The Plant Construction Cost Index (IC Index) makes that adjustment: anchored to a January 2000 = 100 base, the ratio of the index at two dates scales any past Chilean plant cost into another date's terms.
The chart above is a historical sample. Up-to-date monthly values and a 10-year history are delivered with an Industry Economics & Competitiveness subscription.
Convert Plant Capex from Other Countries to Chile
Where the IC Index adjusts Chile's plant costs across time, a companion series converts peer-country plant costs into Chile's terms. Chile's report also includes a monthly Plant Location Factor (IL Factor) for each of the other 32 countries in the program. Chile itself is the baseline, anchored at 1.00. Multiplying any peer-country plant construction cost by its IL Factor returns the equivalent cost in Chile.
The figures on the right are a historical sample; up-to-date monthly values are delivered with an Industry Economics & Competitiveness subscription.
Beyond Construction Cost Indexes
The IC Index and the IL Factors are part of the Industry Economics & Competitiveness subscription — a monthly program benchmarking commodities manufacturing competitiveness across 33 countries, including Chile.
33 Key Countries
Country-by-country monthly reports covering major industrial hubs — USA, China, Germany, Japan, Brazil, India, and more.
7 Industries Covered
Industry-specific rankings across olefins, aromatics, alcohols & organic acids, polymers, fertilizers, inorganic chemicals, and metals.
Reference Datasets
Country-level cost inputs for plant projects — labor costs, utility prices, construction indexes, and location factors.
Monthly Updates
Fresh data every month, always reflecting the most recent period available, with short-term forecasts on selected series.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the IC Index
Chile's IC Index is a composite series — each monthly value reconciles the main cost drivers of industrial plant construction: labor, materials, logistics, and the business environment. Each component is weighted by its significance in overall construction costs, and the same methodology produces comparable indexes for all 33 countries covered, with a 6-month forecast alongside the historical record.
Use the IC Index for capital cost estimation, feasibility studies, and investment analysis. It applies to commodity manufacturing plants across the program's 7 covered industries — olefins, aromatics, alcohols & organic acids, polymers, fertilizers, inorganic chemicals, and metals.
About the IL Factors
Chile's IL Factor table aggregates country-level differences in the main cost drivers of industrial plant construction: labor, materials, logistics, and the business environment. Each driver is weighted by its significance in overall construction costs, and the same methodology produces a comparable IL Factor table for every country in the program — each anchored to its own report country = 1.00.
Use the IL Factors for cross-country capital cost comparisons, location studies, and global sourcing decisions. Like the IC Index, they apply to commodity manufacturing plants across the same 7 covered industries.
About Chile's Manufacturing Industry
Chile's economy is one of the most stable and prosperous in Latin America, known for its strong emphasis on free-market policies, economic openness, and a solid industrial base. The country has built a diverse economy with key sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing playing vital roles. In particular, Chile is the world's largest producer of copper, making mining a significant contributor to its GDP and export performance.
The manufacturing sector in Chile is diverse, encompassing industries such as food processing, chemicals, and textiles. This sector is characterized by its ability to add value to the country's abundant natural resources, particularly in food and beverage production, where Chile has become a leading exporter. The sector also benefits from Chile's strong trade agreements and access to global markets, which have helped boost the country's industrial capabilities and competitiveness.
As Chile continues to focus on economic diversification and innovation, its manufacturing industry remains a key pillar of the economy. The country's commitment to improving infrastructure, enhancing education and skills, and fostering innovation ensures that Chile will continue to be a competitive industrial and economic player on the global stage.