Boeing plans to establish an aerospace research and technology centre in Sao Paulo, the company announced on 3 April.
Boeing Research and Technology-Brazil (BR&T-Brazil) will be the first Boeing aerospace research centre in South America and its sixth in the world.
The centre, set to open later this year, is envisaged as a hub for collaboration between Boeing and Brazilian R&D organisations including government agencies, private companies and universities. Its research focus will include sustainable aviation biofuels, advanced air traffic management, advanced metals and bio-materials, and support and services technologies, Boeing says.
The centre “will strengthen our relationship with Brazil’s R&D community in ways that grow Brazil’s capabilities and meet the country’s goals for economic and technology development,” the president of Boeing Brazil, Donna Hrinak, said in a statement.
Boeing is one of the three manufacturers battling for a Brazilian fighter jet contract. The contract is potentially worth several billion dollars, but requires the supplier to allow Brazil access to the fighter technology.
Brazil has Latin America’s fastest-growing commercial aviation market. Boeing estimates that Brazil will need to purchase more than 1,000 aircraft worth over $100 billion in the next 20 years.