PCT Guamá receives a delegation from Swissnex for exchange on Amazonian innovation
Members of the mission learned about the facilities of the Science and Technology Park and projects that enhance sustainable bioeconomy
The Science and Technology Park (PCT) Guamá, in Belém, received a visit from a delegation from Swissnex, composed of representatives from the Swiss innovation ecosystem and Brazilians connected to the fields of science, technology, and entrepreneurship. The agenda, which took place on Wednesday (23), was part of the nexBio Amazônia mission, an initiative that aims to bring together institutions from Switzerland and the Northern region of Brazil, with an emphasis on strengthening the bioeconomy and promoting partnerships focused on sustainability.
The members of the delegation participated in a program that included institutional information, project exhibitions, and technical visits to laboratories and resident startups of PCT Guamá. The official opening took place in the auditorium of the Center of Excellence in Energy Efficiency of the Amazon (Ceamazon) and was attended by representatives from the Guamá Foundation, Swissnex, Vale Technology Institute (ITV), National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), Federal University of Pará (UFPA), State University of Pará (Uepa), and local entrepreneurs.
The visitors learned about initiatives developed by various laboratories, such as the Center for Advanced Studies in Biodiversity (Ceabio), Biological Engineering Laboratory (Engenbio), Supercritical Technology Laboratory (Labtecs), Amazon Water Quality Laboratory (Labágua), Center for Valorization of Bioactive Compounds of the Amazon (Cvacba), and Ceamazon, as well as the companies S&L Energia, Homnci, Ver-o-Fruto, and Hidromel Uruçun. The program also included a tour of UFPA, featuring a demonstration of the electric boat developed at the institution, in which participants navigated along the campus waterfront.
Integration - According to Renato Francês, Technical Director of the Guamá Foundation, the institution responsible for managing the Park, PCT Guamá is the only technological park in operation in the Legal Amazon. “We have been working for 15 years connecting science, innovation, and sustainable development, supporting laboratories, startups, universities, and public programs in partnership with different levels of government. Our role is to integrate strategic actors and provide concrete solutions to the region's challenges,” he stated.
For Swissnex, the visit to PCT Guamá allowed for the identification of solutions applicable to the Amazonian reality. According to Vincent Neumann, Director of Innovation at Swissnex in Brazil, the mission's goal is to create lasting connections between Brazil and Switzerland, based on concrete challenges faced in the region. He emphasized that nexBio Amazônia represents applied scientific diplomacy, which goes beyond traditional institutional visits, promoting a two-week journey that combines theory and practice, involving researchers, startups, and local communities.
Vincent Neumann emphasized the importance of ensuring mechanisms that sustain the initiated projects. According to him, “we want to ensure that each proposal evolves, is validated, and transformed into a business model or applicable research. This is not just a simple visit to the ecosystem. It is a strategic journey that combines theory and practice, aiming to generate long-term impact.”
Other projects - The program continued on the morning of this Thursday (24) with a technical visit promoted by the Amazon Foundation for Support of Studies and Research (Fapespa), in partnership with the Federal Rural University of the Amazon (Ufra).
During the activity, researchers presented projects focused on bioeconomy, such as the use of plant species for phytoremediation and production of biochar; application of açaí waste in papers and bioactive films, and development of animal feed from cassava.
Reference - PCT Guamá is an initiative of the Government of Pará, through the State Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher, Professional and Technological Education (Sectet), in partnership with UFPA and Ufra, and managed by the Guamá Foundation.
It is the first technological park in the Northern region of Brazil, aimed at stimulating applied research and innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship, in order to improve the quality of life of the population.
Located on the banks of the Guamá River, which gives its name to the complex, PCT is situated between the campuses of the two universities and has an ecosystem rich in biodiversity, extending over 72 hectares, designated for buildings and the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Metropolitan Region of Belém.
The complex consists of more than 30 resident companies (physically installed in the Park), more than 40 associates (linked to the Park but not physically installed), 12 research laboratories for process and product development, and the State School of Technological Education (EETEPA) Dr. Celso Malcher.
PCT Guamá is part of the National Association of Promoters of Innovative Enterprises (Anprotec) and the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (Iasp), and is part of the largest innovation ecosystem in the world.
