Growth in Automation and Industry 4.0 – Digital Transformation in the Metal/Mechanical Sector in Santa Catarina

The integration of advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and additive manufacturing is transforming Brazil’s metal/mechanical industry—boosting precision, reducing waste, and improving product quality.

As the sector embraces Industry 4.0, it presents an attractive landscape for international investors seeking high returns in a dynamic, evolving market. To gain insights into these opportunities, we interviewed José Rizzo Hahn Filho, Managing Director and Senior Sales Executive at Accenture and Founder of Pollux Automation.

Question:

How does Santa Catarina stand out as a strategic hub for industrial automation and Industry 4.0 in Brazil, given its skilled workforce and innovation ecosystem?

Answer:

Santa Catarina has a strong industrial heritage and entrepreneurial culture, supported by a diversified manufacturing base and a thriving information technology sector. Industry 4.0 seamlessly merges these strengths by integrating digital technologies and robotics into manufacturing processes, making them more efficient and autonomous.

The state prioritizes Industry 4.0 through collaboration among various associations and entities—Join.Valle and ACATE, for example, promote concrete actions that accelerate this transformation. As a result, Santa Catarina has built a robust ecosystem uniting leading manufacturing industries and innovative automation technology companies, establishing itself as a strategic hub for Industry 4.0 in Brazil.

Question:

What specific incentives and opportunities does Santa Catarina offer investors seeking to boost productivity and digitization in the industrial sector?

Answer:

A key advantage is the state’s highly skilled workforce, bolstered by excellent educational institutions like UFSC, UDESC, IFSC, and SENAI. These centers specialize in engineering and industrial automation, ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified professionals for advanced manufacturing needs.

Moreover, Santa Catarina hosts a robust innovation ecosystem in major cities. Hubs such as Ágora in Joinville and Sapiens Parque in Florianópolis connect businesses, universities, and government, fostering open innovation and strategic partnerships. Financial incentives—like credit lines from FAPESC and additional support from Embrapii—further drive modernization and digitization in local industries. Altogether, these factors make Santa Catarina a prime destination for industrial automation and Industry 4.0 investments in Brazil.