Within the scope of its internationalization strategy, Fibrenamics welcomed, last Friday, a delegation from the State University of Londrina (UEL), in a visit that strengthens institutional cooperation between Portugal and Brazil and deepens synergies in science, technology, and innovation.

The UEL delegation included Professor Dr. Marta Regina Gimenez Favaro, Rector of the State University of Londrina; Professor Dr. Silvia Márcia Ferreira Meletti, Vice-Rector for Research and Graduate Studies; and Professor Viviane Bagio Furtoso, International Relations Advisor. During the visit, the delegation had the opportunity to tour Fibrenamics’ facilities and research infrastructures, and to learn about key areas of work across the axes of sustainability, high performance, and smart materials, highlighting knowledge transfer to industry and society.

According to the Brazilian delegation, the main purpose of the visit was to strengthen ties with Fibrenamics and identify opportunities for UEL to support and collaborate in formalizing the participation of the Municipality of Londrina and the Londrina Development Institute (CODEL) as founding members of the Fibrenamics Brasil Association – Institute for Innovation in Composite Materials.

Learn more about Fibrenamics Brasil: Innovation unit brings Londrina and Guimarães closer

Professor Dr. Marta Regina Gimenez Favaro, Rector of UEL, emphasized the impact of the visit, noting that “the quality of the research carried out at Fibrenamics and the social, economic, environmental, and safety-related impact of the results achieved were particularly impressive,” and highlighting the expectation that collaboration between the institutions will intensify for the benefit of science and innovation.

This visit follows the protocol of intentions signed in 2023 between Fibrenamics, the University of Minho and the Municipality of Guimarães, together with entities from Londrina’s innovation ecosystem in the state of Paraná. The agreement aims to strengthen academic, scientific, and technical cooperation, promote industry-oriented applied research, and ultimately foster economic value creation between the two regions.

For Professor Viviane Bagio Furtoso, UEL’s International Relations Advisor, the partnership “has strategic significance for scientific development and the training of human resources between our institutions,” also stressing interest in joint initiatives that expand opportunities for academic, technical, and scientific exchange.

Read the news about this international cooperation protocol

The UEL delegation’s visit marked a decisive moment in consolidating this cooperation, helping align priorities and accelerate the transition from protocol to implementation. In the coming months, the teams will define strategic areas and collaboration mechanisms, preparing a set of concrete initiatives under Fibrenamics Brasil.

This represents another key step in expanding Fibrenamics’ international reach and strengthening institutional and scientific cooperation between Portugal and Brazil—bringing teams and innovation ecosystems closer together through joint applied research projects with real societal impact.