Canadian Advanced Manufacturing Technology partnering delegation to Brazil

Request for expression of interest

15-20 October 2023

Global Affairs Canada, through the Consulate General of Canada in Sao Paulo and in collaboration with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) will be pleased to receive your application to participate in the Canadian Technology Partnering Delegation to Brazil focused on Advanced Manufacturing.

The Partnership Development Activity (PDA) will take place from 15-20 October 2023. Note that interested companies must apply no later than July 18, 2023.

Delegation objective

The delegation is designed to increase awareness of the opportunities available within the Brazil market.  It will focus on introducing Canadian SMEs with innovative technologies on advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 solutions for the industrial automation, agricultural machinery, automotive and precision parts supply chain(s) to potential Brazilian partners.

Interested SMEs must be capable and ready to pursue joint R&D collaborations, with the goal of future commercialization.

For example:

• validation of Canadian technologies in the Brazil market;
• adaptation of Canadian technologies to meet Brazilian and global market needs
• co-development of new products and/or services combining Canadian and Brazilian research and technologies.

Canadian delegation profile

Canadian delegates to the “Advanced Manufacturing Technology Partnering Delegation to Brazil” should meet the requirements below in order to benefit from this initiative:

• profit-oriented small or medium-size enterprise incorporated in Canada
• previous experience in commercializing technology for domestic or international markets
• capacity and interest to co-develop technology with Brazil partners
• committed to expansion to the Brazil market
• sufficient working capital and human resources to undertake a multi-year R&D collaboration and commercialize the results

Delegation description

This delegation is targeting Canadian companies working on technologies/solutions such as:

• Artificial Intelligence applied to industrial processes;
• Industry Automation;
• Industry 4.0 concepts and applications;
• Industry digitalization;
• Industrial services;
• Material handling and storage;

The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Partnering Delegation to Brazil, will take place from Sunday 15 October to Friday 20 October in the South of Brazil, specifically Caxias do Sul and Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul State).

The delegation will be highlighted by participation in a major technology showcase encompassing: Mercopar – the largest business and industrial innovation fair in Latin America; international B2B partnering and technical visits to some of Brazil’s leading R&D institutes specializing in Industry 4.0. 

The delegation will also receive market overviews, a dedicated pitching and B2B partnering event; site visits to centres of research excellence, and networking with the local community.

Proposed plans include (may be subject to slight changes):

• End of September: Pre-delegation briefing and pitch training (online)
• 15 October: Arrive in Brazil on Sunday and travel to Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.
• 16 October:
  • AM – Visit to SENAI Institute of Innovation in Sensing Systems (ISI SIM - private research institute that develops works in the areas of digitalization, advanced manufacturing, smart factories, energy and sustainability), Pitch Event
  • PM – Transfer to Caxias do Sul

• 17 October: Guided tour of Mercopar, B2B matchmaking program
• 18 October:
  • AM – Transfer to Carlos Barbosa for site visit to Tramontina (Tramontina is an international brand with over 100 years of experience in manufacturing more than 28,000 different products on cookware, cutlery and home appliances – present in over 120 countries)
  • PM – B2B matchmaking program at Mercopar, Canada pitch event
• 19 October:
  • AM – B2B matchmaking program at Mercopar
  • PM – Technical site visit to Marcopolo (the world’s third largest bus, coach and rail manufacturer, founded in 1949 with plants in four continents and presence in over 100 countries)
• 20 October: travel to Sao Paulo for international flights

Why Brazil? 

There is a growing demand from large corporations for modernization of industrial processes, still in an early stage in Brazil for most companies. ABIMAQ (Brazilian Association of Machinery and Equipment Industries) has noted the need to invest widely in digitization, essential to enter in the field of Industry 4.0. The demand for Industry 4.0 solutions in Brazil aims to increase aggregate productivity and promotes innovation. As such, Canada is well-placed to be a strategic partner for Brazil in this area.

The City of Caxias do Sul in the State of Rio Grande do Sul hosts some of Brazil's most diverse economy with industrial parks (metal mechanic-related industries such as automotive, agriculture and oil & gas), furniture, vineyards, and plantation farms. It is home to several small, medium, large and multinational companies, recognized as an Entrepreneurial-Exporting Hub in Brazil. Caxias do Sul itself has approximately 63,000 companies – Brazil's highest ratio of company x population: 1 company for each group of 8 inhabitants. It is the 2nd largest metal-mechanic hub in Brazil and one of largest in Latin America.

The anchor event, Mercopar is organized by SEBRAE (national non-profit organization providing support services for SMEs) and FIERGS (Federation of Industries for the State of Rio Grande do Sul). As the largest show of its kind in Latin America, the Fair brings together national and international companies of all sizes, focusing on market trends in industrial innovation. The participant profile is professionals with decision-making power over their companies' investments in machinery and equipment.

Brazil has significant strengths in product/process engineering in advanced manufacturing presenting clear opportunities for technology collaboration with Canada in terms of industrial manufacturing and fabrication processes. This delegation aims to target those opportunities.

Financial Support for Travel

The Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) may provide financial support to eligible Canadian participants for 50% of all eligible expenses that include but are not limited to the following:

• economy airfare
• local transportation
• accommodation
• meals
• conference registration fees

See the CIIP Applicant Guide for the complete list of eligible expenses. This Guide can be received by contacting either the Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada in Sao Paulo, Anita Baidwan (anita.baidwan@international.gc.ca), or by emailing the CIIP at innovation@international.gc.ca.

How to Apply for Participation

1. Interested companies and organisations should request an application from the CIIP team at Global Affairs Canada: innovation@international.gc.ca.
2. A full application form requesting additional information on your company, your technology and your interest in discussing possible R&D opportunities will be sent to you.
3. Completed application forms are due no later than July 18, 2023 to the CIIP team at Global Affairs Canada: innovation@international.gc.ca.
4. Global Affairs Canada, the Embassy of Canada in Brazil and NRC-IRAP will select companies to participate in the delegation. Selected applicants can expect to be notified no later than July 31, 2023.
5. Companies formally selected to participate in the delegation will be invited to apply for travel funding support. Interested participants should request a travel funding form from Global Affairs Canada (innovation@international.gc.ca).
6. Companies who apply for travel support will be notified of the funding decision no later than August 18, 2023.

Note: Participation in this Technology Partnering delegation is limited. Applications will be assessed to determine their eligibility and fit. It will be based on the quality of the information provided with regards to the technology and the appropriateness of the technology for the Brazil market.

If you have any questions concerning application process, please see the CIIP webpage and/or email CIIP at innovation@international.gc.ca. 

Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP)

Global Affairs Canada in collaboration with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) delivers the Canadian International Innovation program (CIIP) in Brazil. CIIP supports industrial R&D partnership development activities between Canadian SMEs and companies in key markets, including Brazil.