weekly_edition_867

15 2.11 to 2.16.2019 The auto parts segment was one of the most affected by the recent crisis in the automotive industry. There was a decrease in production capacity and a cut in the number of employees. With the resumption of sales, the production chain had to readapt to meet the demands of the automakers and the aftermarket. Muramoto said that the partnership with Embrapii helps accelerate suppliers to return to the pace they were before. In the context of Rota 2030, the new policy for the automotive sector, the support via Embrapii could represent the opportunity for auto parts companies, especially those considered small and medium-sized organizations, to be structured to act on the level of quality and technology required by the vehicles born in the context of industry 4.0. Embrapii has 42 technology centers equipped with infrastructure to create new projects for the automotive sector, according to José Luis Gordon, director of planning and management. Aside from this, the organization also makes its technical staff and industry experts available to its component manufacturers: “Companies that have an approved project receive technical support for their development.” The service offered by Embrapii also consists, aside from the structural part and the group of specialists, in financing a third of the companies’ projects. The entity emerged as a supporting arm for four years with a reserve of R$ 1.6 billion to fund projects aimed at innovation in various sectors. Gordon said that 30% of the value is already allocated in several projects, and for this year there is an investment of R$ 150 million scheduled. Although considered a first exercise in the automotive sector, Embrapii has already promoted projects related to this industry. There is a project with Renault to develop a device for braking support of the ABS system. Another example is a project with companies from the chemical and mining sectors to create high efficiency lithium batteries with Brazilian technology.