Brazilian Development Bank BNDES Approves $8M for Innovation Center CSEM Brasil

Brazilian development bank BNDES approves funding of US$8M (12.9 million reais) for the Innovation Center CSEM Brasil, Belo Horizonte (MG), to develop technological systems for crop monitoring and to set-up an applied-research facility in nanotechnology, microsystems and sensors aiming to serve, among others, the automotive, oil and gas, aerospace and semiconductor markets. The transaction, made in the framework of the bank’s technology fund (Funtec), also involves investments in technology transfer and the training of professionals.

Brazil is a huge agricultural power. It is the world’s largest producer of sugarcane and coffee, and a net exporter of cocoa, soybeans, orange juice, tobacco, forest products and tropical fruits and nuts. Brazil’s share of global food production, currently at 26%, is expected to rise to 35% by 2019.

CSEM Brasil is an applied-research institute founded by CSEM of Switzerland in collaboration with Brazilian venture capital firm FIR Capital and the government of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The country’s second largest state, Minas Gerais is rapidly evolving from a commodity-driven economy to one based on innovation and high-tech. CSEM Brasil´s mission for agriculture is to equip the Brazilian and world farming sectors with a set of tools which provide relevant plant and soil information to assist farmers in achieving lower costs and higher yields with reduced environmental impact, whilst providing CSEM Brasil with a platform for further developments in other markets.

CSEM Switzerland’s participation in the project will be in the field of knowledge transfer regarding wireless-sensor networks and microsystems. Mario El-Khoury, CEO of CSEM SA, stated, “CSEM is increasingly involved in technologies which serve the environment. Sustainable agriculture is at the heart of this involvement and of our collaboration in Brazil.”

Technologies used in the project and new to Brazil will also enable applied research and development work to be conducted in the country, targeting differentiated chip-packaging solutions, and the development of hybrid microsystems, all of which have applications in various strategic industries, particularly those working in harsh environments such oil and gas, automotive and aeronautical.