Recent trademark filings suggest increased interest in the Peruvian market from international manufacturers, with both a U.S.textile giant and a Bolivian plastics producer taking steps toward potential expansion. Sapona Yarns, the second-largest nylon producer in the sector, filed for trademark protection in peru in December, while Industrias Belén also submitted an application to register its brand. These moves, alongside filings from Peruvian consumer goods companies Alicorp and Gloria, indicate a broader trend of companies securing their brand presence within the country.
A major U.S. textile manufacturer is taking steps that suggest a potential expansion into the Peruvian market, focusing on advanced synthetic fibers and yarns. Recent trademark filings indicate the company, Sapona Yarns, is preparing for a possible entry into the region.
According to filings with Peru’s National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi), Sapona Yarns initiated the registration process for the trademark and logo “Sapona Since 1836” on December 15, 16, and 17, 2023.
The registration covers categories 22 and 23, specifically encompassing synthetic and textile yarns and fibers. While the company has not publicly announced plans to enter the Peruvian market, the trademark filing could be a preemptive move to protect its brand identity or a signal of future investment.
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Second-Largest Nylon Producer Eyes Peruvian Market
Sapona Yarns, LLC, a U.S.-based textile company, specializes in the production of high-performance synthetic yarns, particularly textured nylon and spandex (Lycra) fibers. The company is part of Universal Fiber Systems, the parent organization of Universal Fibers, Inc. and Premiere Fibers, Inc., headquartered in Bristol, Virginia, with industrial operations in the United States, Europe, Thailand, and China.
The group is globally recognized as a leader in mass-dyed synthetic fibers, used in applications ranging from flooring and transportation to technical textiles. This move by Sapona Yarns reflects the growing interest in diversifying supply chains and exploring new manufacturing locations.
Sapona Yarns was incorporated into the conglomerate in April 2021, when Sapona Manufacturing sold all assets of its yarn plant located in Cedar Falls, North Carolina, to Universal Fiber Systems, LLC (UFS). Since then, the unit has operated under the name Sapona Yarns, LLC.
The textile operations at the site have a history dating back to 1836, with the founding of Sapona Manufacturing Company, one of the first cotton mills in the Southern U.S., which evolved over time to produce silk, nylon, and other synthetic fibers.
Sapona Yarns’ products are used in a wide range of industries, including apparel, footwear, automotive, home furnishings, medical, and industrial applications. The company is described as the second-largest producer of textured nylon in the sector.
The company’s trademark filing is one of several recent registrations with Indecopi. Other companies in the plastics and consumer goods sectors also filed trademark applications on December 15, 16, and 17, 2023.
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Bolivian Plastics Giant Seeks Entry into Peru
Indecopi has also received an application from Industrias Belén to register the trademark and logo “Belén” in classes 16, 20, and 21, covering products such as paper and cardboard, printing products, binding materials, furniture, mirrors, non-metallic storage and transport containers, utensils, household and kitchen items, combs, and sponges.
Founded in 1987, the Bolivian company specializes in the manufacture and marketing of plastic products for mass consumption, construction, commerce, and agriculture.
Its headquarters are located within the Santa Cruz de la Sierra industrial park, from where it supplies the entire country and coordinates a network of regional distributors. The company currently operates three manufacturing plants totaling more than 50,000 square meters, positioning it as one of the largest industrial players in the country in its sector.
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Consumer Goods Companies Seek Trademark Registration – In What Categories?
In the consumer goods segment, Alicorp, a major food company, has applied to register the trademark and logo “Tarí” in class 30, covering sauces and chili peppers.
While the brand is already on the market with a renewed image, the new application with the authority indicates an action aimed at strengthening the legal protection of its visual identity and trade name.
In April 2025, Alicorp launched its Tarí hot sauce in the U.S. with a formula adapted but based on Peruvian ingredients. It is currently in 1,800 stores and plans a national expansion with new flavors and presence in major chains.
Gloria, another major player, has also applied to register the trademark and logo “Chia Star” in class 32, which includes beers, mineral and carbonated waters, and other non-alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, nectars, syrups, and preparations for making beverages.
This application could anticipate the possible development of a new brand aimed at the functional or healthy beverage segment, associated with chia consumption and nutritional attributes. The name and visual concept would aim to differentiate itself within a highly competitive market, where “superfoods” are gaining space among young and health-conscious consumers.
This potential foray into healthy beverages aligns with the company’s diversification strategy. In 2025, Gloria told this publication that it relaunched its PRO brand with eight new products divided into two lines — Power and Day — to expand protein consumption beyond the sports audience. The proposal includes affordable prices, wider distribution, and consumer education to quintuple the protein market, which is still small in Peru.
Note:
- On December 15, 16, and 17, 2023, Indecopi published 315 applications in the product segment, including those from Sapona Yarns, Industrias Belén, Alicorp, and Gloria.
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