Codec supports technologies to modernize the açaí supply chain in the Icoaraci Industrial District
Automated robot, açaí powder, and production of industrial equipment reinforce the bioeconomy in generating jobs and income in Pará
The Economic Development Company of Pará (Codec) conducted a technical visit to the company Açaí Kaa, located in the Icoaraci Industrial District in Belém, on Thursday (10). This initiative is part of the agenda to monitor enterprises established in the industrial hubs of Pará and reinforces the State government's commitment to strengthening the bioeconomy and Amazon-based innovation.
During the visit, the technical team from the Company — composed of the Director of Investment Attraction, Manoel Ibiapina, the Technical Director Ruy Klautau, and technicians from the Directorate of Institutional Relations (Deri) and the Technical Directorate (Ditec) — got to know the company's facilities, which stands out for developing solutions aimed at modernizing the açaí production chain. Among the initiatives are the automated collector robot, the technology for transforming açaí into powder, and the manufacturing of plastic baskets used in internal logistics processes and in the transportation of fruits and industrial components.
The majority of the structure and assembly of the robot is carried out at Açaí Kaa's facilities, using proprietary technology and a local team. The final assembly will be predominantly conducted by women, promoting the inclusion of female labor in technical and industrial roles, and contributing to diversity in the productive sector.
Mechanized harvesting - The robot was developed to climb palm trees and mechanically harvest açaí bunches safely, efficiently, and with greater predictability. The technology was created in Pará based on concrete demands from the Amazonian reality and is in an advanced phase of operational testing.
The company also developed its own patented drying and stabilization process for açaí, allowing its conversion into powder while preserving up to 70% of the nutrients. Although açaí powder already exists in other markets, Açaí Kaa's product differentiates itself by having higher nutritional value, according to the project's creators. The innovation eliminates the need for refrigeration, reduces logistical losses, and expands access to the Amazonian product in new markets, including through e-commerce platforms.
The company's structure also houses a cloning laboratory focused on producing selected seedlings and improving the genetic quality of açaí. The integrated research, development, and production environment has more than 60 professionals and is expected to increase this number as operations scale up.
Strengthening - Açaí Kaa has been in the market for almost six years, during which it has consolidated its role as a reference in solutions aimed at the açaí supply chain. The company is also seeking strategic partnerships and tax incentives to strengthen its production structure. Codec is monitoring this process by providing technical support and institutional guidance to enable the company's expansion and its consolidation as a reference in bioeconomy.
The conception of the company and its main innovations involved the investor Reinaldo Santos, who conducted research on the açaí production chain, identifying logistical bottlenecks, nutritional losses, and social challenges, such as the use of child labor. Based on these studies, he sought technological and sustainable solutions to transform the fruit into powder — with greater nutritional utilization — and mechanize the harvest through the development of an automated robot.
“This is the type of enterprise we seek to support: solutions created in Pará, applied to our reality, and with the potential to transform productive chains based on innovation and sustainability. Codec's role has been to promote these models and connect them to the productive environment of Pará,” highlighted Manoel Ibiapina.
Social impact - “Codec has been working to transform good ideas into structured enterprises with social, environmental, and economic impact. Açaí Kaa is a concrete example of how innovation can be born here and reach the world,” the director added.
The Icoaraci Industrial District currently hosts more than 40 companies in the food, packaging, logistics, technology, and forest products sectors, being responsible for about a thousand direct jobs and nearly 9,000 indirect jobs. The presence of Açaí Kaa reinforces the region's vocation to host innovative, environmentally responsible businesses connected with the challenges and potential of the Amazon.
