Brazilian Industry Research Articles

Pathway to a land-neutral expansion of Brazilian renewable fuel production

Biofuels are currently the only available bulk renewable fuel. They have, however, limited expansion potential due to high land requirements and associated risks for biodiversity, food security, and land conflicts. We therefore propose to increase output from ethanol refineries in a land-neutral methanol pathway: surplus CO2-streams from fermentation are combined with H2 from renewably powered electrolysis to synthesize methanol. We illustrate this pathway with the Brazilian sugarcane ethanol industry using a spatio-temporal model. The fuel output of existing ethanol generation facilities can be increased by 43%–49% or ~100 TWh without using additional land. This amount is sufficient to cover projected growth in Brazilian biofuel demand in 2030. We identify a trade-off between renewable energy generation technologies: wind power requires the least amount of land whereas a mix of wind and solar costs the least. In the cheapest scenario, green methanol is competitive to fossil methanol at an average carbon price of 95€ tCO2−1.

Regulation of Network Industries in Brazil

Regulation of Network Industries in Brazil

Failure analysis of oscillating hammer mill used in the sugarcane industry

Sugar-alcohol industries are affected by unexpected and costly interventions caused by loss of efficiency of key components, stoping the production for maintenance. The main station suffering severe degradation is the shredder, where rotating hammers are subjected to abrasive wear from mineral contaminants and corrosion from the sugarcane juice. This work presents a failure analysis of hammers removed from an on-site shredder of a sugar-alcohol industry in Brazil. First, the materials were chemically and microstructurally characterized. Second, the resistance against abrasive wear and corrosion in sugarcane juice was assessed, respectively, by dry sand/rubber wheel test, and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization. Finally, the results were discussed in conjunction to propose the cause of the failure of the rotating hammer. The base material was a carbon steel (∼0.3 wt% C), protected by a ferrous coating with high content of Cr (22.2 wt%) and C (4.4 wt%). Ferritic stainless steel (410 stainless steel) was included in the study due to its increased use in sugar-alcohol industries. The coating showed greater resistance to abrasive wear compared to the carbon steel and 410 stainless steel. The superior wear resistance of the coating was ascribed to the large fraction of hard carbides, which acted as effective reinforcement to prevent excessive removal of the soft matrix. 410 stainless steel performed better against the corrosive effects of sugarcane juice, due to the Cr being distributed in solid solution in a single ferritic structure, which ensured the formation of a protective passive film. Nevertheless, the coating was susceptible to corrode, since carbides in excess cause interfaces depleted in Cr, representing preferential points for corrosion. The cracks initially present in the coating allowed the penetration of the sugarcane juice, and subsequent detachment of the coating by impact, exposing the base material to severe abrasion and corrosion with large volume loss. Greater control during the coating preparation process and the use of base material with greater corrosion resistance such as 410 stainless steel could significantly extend the life of the hammers.

Assessment of the sustainability and economic potential of hydrotreated vegetable oils to complement diesel and biodiesel blends in Brazil

Abstract‘Curb CO2 emissions’ is a common expression today and it will be heard even more frequently in the future. Biofuels have attracted attention for many years, and recently this attention has been directed, in particular, to biofuels in heavy‐duty vehicles. This sector contributes to a significant quantity of emissions in Brazil. This class of fuels – biodiesel, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) – has an established industry in Brazil. However, the limited capacity for the production of biodiesel, and the limitations imposed by its properties, make it difficult to expand the industry. Thus, hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVOs) have emerged as a more environmental friendly fuel and a potential alternative to cut emissions in the transportation sector. To identify ways to use such fuels in Brazil, this study reviews environmental indicators for diesel, biodiesel, and HVO, and compares then using a composite score. Based on specific emission factors, scenarios for the use of HVO are evaluated in terms of emissions avoided, potential granting of decarbonization credits, and feasibility for investment. The results in one of the scenarios evaluated show that 0.5 decarbonization credits can be granted for each liter of HVO consumed in Brazil. There is room for profitability in all of the scenarios. This work also shows that Brazil has the necessary public policies to foster biofuels on a large scale, and, with blend mandates being reformulated, the country could avoid emissions of over 12.9 million CO2 tons per year in the transport sector. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Will Rota 2030 deliver sustainable innovation? Comparing the ends and means of Brazilian and German auto industry innovation policies

Purpose Due to dramatic transformation of the auto industry, governments are implementing innovation policies to ensure the domain of sustainable technologies. According to the literature, developing countries that depend on multinational subsidiaries must invest in complementary innovation to be part of their research and development (R&D) headquarters' long-term plans. This study analyses the Brazilian auto industry innovation policy (Rota 2030) to evaluate if it targets complementarity with the German's one (NPE). It also compares the institutional arrangements of the former against the latter to check for governance gaps.Design/methodology/approachIt applies a case-oriented comparative method (Ragin, 2014) for the analysis of qualitative evidence on secondary data. It investigates evidence of complementarity between Rota 2030 and national platform for electric mobility (NPE) objectives and checks for governance gaps in Rota 2030 using NPE as a reference.FindingsThe results confirmed a loose fitting between the innovation policies mainly for a lack of determinism of Rota 2030 objectives. Governance gaps were also found on Rota 2030 policy formulation and operationalization.Practical implicationsIt contributes for the improvement of Rota 2030, and its analytical frame may be used for the formulation or adjustment of other developing countries' innovation policies.Originality/valueIt contributes with innovation system and policy field development with a theoretical extension coming from the New Institutional Economics (NIE) (Menard, 2018). By examining the performance of “institutional arrangements” during the process of formulation and operationalization of innovation policies, it shows the importance of coordination for their effectiveness.

Waves of regulatory reforms and winds of uncertainties in the Brazilian natural gas industry

The natural gas industry in Brazil has undergone three waves of reforms since the late 1990s regarding liberalization and market opening. The gas law approved in 2021 reinforces the unbundling between transport and commercialization of natural gas and guarantees third-party access to essential infrastructure. The new legal framework achieves the vertical separation of upstream and midstream segments but does not reach the downstream segment subject to state regulations. The exit of the incumbent (Petrobras) from the network segments opens space for new entrants, but may remain with a high commercialization share. Vertical and horizontal integration in the distribution segment can compromise this industry’s restructuring. This article identifies three possible scenarios for the evolution of liberalization after the last reform. A successful path will depend on the implementation and enforcement of the new gas law, on adequate economic signals for network and consumption expansion, on harmonization of state regulations, and on the effective opening for the construction of a national gas market. The role of natural gas in Brazil’s energy transition is still an open issue that will affect the industry’s evolution in the coming years.

Technology Audit - Procedure for the assessment of the technological maturity of applied R&D organizations

Applied research and development (R&D) organizations – or research and technology organizations (RTOs) in a broader sense – strive to develop technological solutions that translate results from research and science into state-of-the-art products and services. This can only be achieved if technological resources and competences are effectively and efficiently used to build up competitive advantages. Therefore, the assessment of the technological capability can provide applied R&D organizations with information on strengths and weaknesses in their specific technology areas, on the basis of which technology strategies can be derived to contribute to the development and training of substantial (core) competences, which in turn improve the quality of unique and differentiating products and services.
 The main objective of this paper is to describe the technology audit as a procedure for evaluating the technological maturity of applied research organizations. Hence, the focus will be put on the technological capabilities needed to execute the intended research activities on the way to becoming a reference in the respective technology area. In addition, the aim of the application of the procedure is to provide a detailed insight into the working methods of research institutions with focus on the R&D portfolio (e.g. complexity of R&D projects). Furthermore, the sustainable impact of R&D projects of the applied R&D organization (e.g. optimizations of customers processes) will be discussed, as well as the used & developed technologies and the necessary competences to generate innovative solutions for the Brazilian industry.

Electric Cars in Brazil: An Analysis of Core Green Technologies and the Transition Process

This paper explores the transition to electric cars in Brazil. The country has been successful to reduce its carbon footprint using biofuels, but it is facing a dilemma in vehicle electrification. It cannot shift abruptly to battery electric vehicles, as current consumers are unable to afford them and investment in recharging infrastructure is uncertain. However, it has a significant manufacturing base, and it cannot isolate itself from global industrial trends. This study relies on the inductive case study method, identifying the core green technologies in vehicle electrification and extrapolating their trends, to explain how the transition process is feasible. The emergence of a dominant design (set of core technologies defining a product category and adopted by the majority of players in the market) in small and affordable segments is essential for the diffusion of electric cars in developing countries. Biofuel hybrid technologies may support the transition. The Brazilian industry can engage in electric vehicle development by designing small cars based on global architectures, targeting consumers in emerging markets. The article contributes by using a dominant design core technologies framework to explain and map the transition to electric vehicles in developing countries, supporting academic research, government, and industry planning.

A survey on the practices of software testing: a look into Brazilian companies

[Context:] Software testing is essential for all software development, and techniques and criteria have been proposed to ensure its quality in different application domains. [Objective:] This survey aims at the identification of software testing practices in Brazilian industries, towards an overview of the latest testing techniques, selection processes, challenges faced, tools and metrics used by testers. [Methodology:] Survey questions were carefully designed for providing relevant information to both industry and academy and evaluated by testers for improving the quality of the survey. [Results and Conclusions:] Our study provides insights into the current software testing practices in Brazilian software companies. The results show testers select a testing technique according to the project scope under development; however, most companies have shown a lack of importance and priority regarding to the testing activity. Some challenges raised will foster new research topics, outlined by the needs faced by testers in practice.

Phenotypic Variability in the Induction of Alpha Acids in Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) in Brazil

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) is a key ingredient in beer, with great significance for the Brazilian industry. The economically viable production of hops in Brazil depends on the genetic variability available to be used in the selection and development of high-as performance photo-neutral cultivars and their interaction with the environment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the phenotypic variability of alpha-effective character in relation to the environmental variation in different Brazilian regions. Alpha-acids tests were performed through the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC-HOPS 6. B-Conductometric titration methodology). Phenotypic variation assessment showed that 30% of the variation occurred among clones, while 47% was attributed to the environmental components of cultivation. The repeatability coefficient (t) was below 0.25, demonstrating that interaction between genotype and environment inflicted on alpha-acid levels. Results showed variability in the alpha-acid contents depending on the hops growing regions. According to the results, clones 9 (8.22%), 26 (12.95%) and 27 (9.94%) added the highest levels of alpha-acids. Therefore, there is variability available for the genetic improvement of the culture in Brazil and its effects must be evaluated in each microclimate of cultivation.

A two-level lot sizing and scheduling problem applied to a cosmetic industry

In this paper we address a novel variant of the two-level lot-sizing and scheduling problem inspired by a cosmetic industry in Brazil. In this problem, we seek to optimize production activities in an environment consisting of two dependent levels and an intermediate inventory between them. We consider sequence-dependent setup in the first level, non-sequence dependent setup in the second level, and a different number of machines by level. Furthermore, following the mandatory requirements in the cosmetic industry, we also consider that each job must be stored for a minimum time limit and cannot exceeds a maximum time limit in the intermediate inventory. These practical requirements ensure a certain level of quality of the items produced. To solve the problem, we propose Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulations and a hybrid exact method combining the traditional Branch and Bound (B&B) algorithm with Local Search (LS) procedures using a sequential framework. Our procedures apply several strategies of the Fix and Optimize (F&O) heuristic and Variable Neighborhood Descent (VND) principles. All methods were evaluated using a set of instances based on a real case scenario. The computational experiments indicated that our hybrid method can achieve competitive solutions, outperforming the results provided by the optimization of the MILP model.

Digital roadmapping in the pandemic: lessons from collaboration in the glass industry

ABSTRACT Roadmapping is a widely known methodology to aid technological planning within organizations, and its use has been extended to inter-organizational collaborative contexts. During the pandemic, teams were compelled to work remotely and adapt to this new reality. This article brings a case study of a collaborative digital roadmap developed for the Brazilian glass industry, including workshops and tools. As a result, it was possible to investigate the digital roadmapping process and how it affects collaborative applications.

DP 0266 - The Role of Industrial Sector in the Brazilian Territorial Reconfiguration: New Expressions for XXI Century National Dilemmas

In this article, we discuss the current pattern of territorial reconfiguration of the Brazilian industry, its current forms, and motivations in order to problematize some of the most significant challenges of the current regional issue. We have brought new evidence of how it keeps deconcentrating in the context of the persistent decline in the industrial participation in the national economy. We resumed the analysis on the micro-regional scale that showed the following results. 1) Relevant industrial agglomerations (RIAs) continue to flourish in all regions of the country. 2) Their preferred place is no longer the polygonal area of Diniz-Crocco (1996). 3) In terms of industrial job creation, the new RIAs for the period 1995-2015 generated more jobs than those established before 1995.

Manufacturing location patterns in Brazil

AbstractIn this paper, we present a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the location patterns of manufacturing industries in Brazil using a distance‐based measure and micro‐geographic panel data for a 10‐year period. Our results show that 89.9% and 91% of manufacturing at the 3‐digit level have statistically significant localization for 2006 and 2015, respectively, and that these patterns remain high when we consider 4‐digit classification. High‐tech industries have location patterns at short distances, being localized mainly in large urban areas, while low‐tech industries are also localized at long distances. We also present evidence that agglomeration economies affect the degree of spatial concentration.

Corporate reputation, ethical brand, and trust in the Brazilian industry

All organizations rely on their reputation to strengthen their image and increase consumer trust and credibility in their products and/or services. In this context, developing an Ethical Brand (EB) and a Corporate Reputation (CR) continues to be a major challenge. Therefore, this research aims to investigate empirically how trust affects EB and CR. This study used secondary data from the Authenticity Gap Report (AGR), collected on-line in 160 Brazilian organizations, using a structured questionnaire to a non-probability sampling from 20 different industries with 1.328 Engaged Consumers. Different references were used for analysis: (i) the Trust model in buyer-seller relationships; (ii) the Ethical Reputation Brand model; and (iii) the CR Ranking Index (MERCO). The results indicated that three of five dimensions of the Trust model represented good CR indicators. From the 20 different industries analyzed, three have the best average, according to the MERCO Ranking and the three combined indicators from the AGR. Results demonstrated the role of authenticity, trust, and industry as a fundamental element to EB and CR. Different references were used for analysis: (i) the Trust model in buyer-seller relationships, (ii) the Ethical Reputation Brand model and (iii) the CR Ranking Index (MERCO). The results indicated that three of five dimensions of the Trust model represented good indicators of CR. From the 20 different industries analyzed, three have the best average according to the MERCO Ranking and the three combined indicators from the AGR. Results demonstrated the role of authenticity, trust and industry as a fundamental element to CR and EB.

Food industry responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: public health or public relations?

Introduction: The study's objective was to identify and analyse the responses of food industry actors in Brazil to the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a qualitative analysis of information available in the public domain and published between 1 March and 30 September 2020.
 Results: The actions of the food industry in Brazil during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic primarily focused on the donation of medical equipment, hygiene and food products, including ultra-processed foods, and the provision of advice and information about COVID-19, with no oversight from health bodies. Food industry actors also promoted their actions to care for their workers' health and other needs.
 Conclusions: In the context of a global crisis causing enormous disruption in people's lives, the involvement of different actors in the response to the pandemic may have been helpful in the short term. However, these actions could also have resulted in negative public health consequences if they were, in reality, driven by a search for profits.

Evaluating logistics outsourcing: a survey conducted with Brazilian industries

PurposeThis research aims to evaluate the factors that influence logistics outsourcing, including the impact of logistics outsourcing on measuring companies' logistics performance. This research provides interactions among the various factors (constructs) such as “financial”, “collaboration and process characteristics”, “external influencer”, and “logistics performance”.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate the interaction between the constructs, structural equation modelling is proposed to understand what the relevant criteria are while outsourcing logistics. Data were acquired from surveys conducted with 129 managers from Brazilian companies in the industry sector.FindingsThe factor “collaboration and process characteristics” is what most influences the “logistics performance” of companies, highlighting the importance of managing contractors; and the “financial” factor also contributes to the logistic outsourcing decision.Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations of this study need to be clarified. First, the model could test the moderate and mediate aspects by using variables inspired on RBV and TCE. Second, the sample is relatively small and restricted to the Brazilian industries' case, although the results may be useful for other countries in the world. Third, the responses represent viewpoints of the people who work in the companies. To address this issue, the authors asked respondents to fill out the questionnaire from the perspective of the organisation.Practical implicationsMost 3PL come from developed countries and find different requirements in Brazil. Then, this new knowledge may help 3L providers better understand the needs of the local or foreign companies that operate in the local market. The measurement model may also help to construct a new organisational process, as it sheds light on the main elements necessary for gathering logistics performance outcomes.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, the literature lacks studies on the interaction among these logistics outsourcing constructs, mainly in emerging markets where significant growth opportunities have led to logistics activities being outsourced. The literature that examines the impact of these constructs on logistics performance is also limited. Therefore, this research contributes to providing a model that measures these impacts according to the company's point of view.

The dental equipment industry in Brazil: origin, structure, and transformations of the space of the dominant companies

Starting from the theoretical formulations of Pierre Bourdieu about the economic sociology, this study analyzed the origin, structure and transformations of the dental equipment industry in Brazil. It is an exploratory study, based on documentary analysis of company websites, newspapers and magazines from the economic field, semi-structured interviews, and balance sheets from 2012 to 2020. The space of the dominant dental equipment firms in Brazil was constituted of DabiAtlante, Gnatus, Alliage and Olsen, which have structured this space since the 1940s with the merger of DabiAtlante and Gnatus into Alliage, these have continued strong in the sector. The financial capital presents transformations between 2012 and 2020, with stable profit for Olsen and profits and losses in the rest. The important capital valued by the companies is their technological capital, namely their research, development and innovation capacity to compete in the market; their symbolic capital and their commercial capital, which requires further investigation. The relationship with the State, the organizations representative of the sector, the expansion of the distribution network, exports, and public sector demands warrant subsequent studies.

Influence of halite particles on the stability and physical properties of inverse olefin emulsions

The study of synthetic drilling fluids, consisting of inverse emulsions, became essential to the routine of the oil industry in Brazil, due to the discovery of the pre-salt carbonate reservoirs. This work aimed to analyze the incorporation of halite in the physical properties and stability of inverse olefin emulsions, which composes synthetic drilling fluids formulation. Therefore, halite was characterized in relation to its wettability, chemical and mineralogical composition. The properties of the emulsions added with halite, in the contents of 5, 10 and 15% by volume, were monitored by microscopic images, rheological tests and gravitational separation, performed before and after dynamic aging of the emulsion. The results showed that the presence of the halite particles promotes an increase in the consistency index, interfering in the viscous nature of the emulsion. In addition, dynamic aging provide changes in the flow behavior of the emulsified system, once there are increases in the behavior index, proportional to the halite content, bringing it closer to Newtonian behavior. It is also noticed that, under these conditions, the addition of this mineral intensifies the separation of the continuous phase of the emulsion, together with the emulsifying agents, especially for the contents of 10 and 15%.

Techno Economic Assessment of IE3 Electric Motors in the Medium Size Brazilian Industry

Searching for better efficient energy consumption, actions aimed at induction motors replacement have been consolidated as one of the main investments toward improve energy efficiency. For countries of wide range in electricity tariffs caused by geographic issues, industrial companies operating in different regions have difficulty to define how to direct the investment for energy efficiency actions between your industrial facilities. Thus, this paper aims to present how to direct the financial resources to perform the electric motors replacement to only one industrial facility from techno economic analysis through simulation of different scenarios for each case. Three regions of Brazil named Southeast, Midwest and Northeast were chosen for this analysis due to the highlight in their electricity tariffs characteristics. Regional aspects were taken into account, e.g., electricity escalation rate and electricity tariff as well as technical issues related to how limit the load of the new motors with reduced rated power after replacement. The results are promising because the cost-effectiveness of motors replacement in a medium-size industrial company always profitable regardless economic variations. The higher net savings defines what facilities in different regions of Brazil will have its motors replaced. So, the cost-effectiveness of motors replacement increases while electricity escalation rate, tariff and motor partial load increase.