It is nothing less than a far-reaching vision for industrial development that Marco Stefanini, one of Brazil’s most successful entrepreneurs, is presenting at HANNOVER MESSE. His proposal is not to view Brazil merely as a geopolitically more convenient alternative supplier of raw materials and energy at this time. Instead, a joint, innovative, data-driven value creation initiative should work in partnership to move beyond the very, very old model of raw material exports and the equally long-standing “dependencia” that comes with it. Here is his contribution.

By Marco Stefanini, Founder and Global CEO of the Stefanini Group

It is no coincidence that Brazil has been named the Partner Country for Hannover Messe 2026. This move signals something greater: the ambition of a nation that seeks to accelerate industrial transformation based on renewable energy, digitalization, and sustainable technologies—while simultaneously reinforcing its geopolitical relevance in a landscape of increasingly strained supply chains.

It is about competitive energy matrix, and, above all, the competence to accelerate productivity through technology

This represents the opening of a rare window for Brazil to demonstrate not just potential, but a real capacity for delivery, backed by a significant industrial base, a competitive energy matrix, and, above all, the competence to accelerate productivity through technology.

To capture this potential, however, we must evolve our narrative. We are not merely suppliers of raw materials. What Brazil can deliver—and what the world is demanding—is the ability to orchestrate efficiency and traceability in complex chains, leveraging automation, analytics, and AI to minimize waste, optimize energy efficiency, and speed up data-driven operational decision-making.

This vision is consistent with what I have advocated for years: AI is not an end in itself; it is a means. What separates those who generate value from those who merely follow trends is clarity of intent, governance, and the ability to transform technology into execution and real-world results.

Brazil holds a unique position: it can combine a competitive and renewable energy matrix with an industrial transformation agenda and the attraction of investment.

Brazil holds a unique position: it can combine a competitive and renewable energy matrix with an industrial transformation agenda and the attraction of investment. Hannover Messe itself has been highlighting Brazil as a reliable and sustainable partner in a global environment of uncertainty, while pointing to the Brazil–Germany complementarity for low-carbon production chains.

Industrial Resilience in a Volatile World

One point must be made clear: natural resources alone do not guarantee competitiveness. In 2026, the differentiator will not just be having clean energy, critical minerals, or agricultural capacity. The differentiator lies in transforming these assets into an industrial advantage through productivity, predictability, and scale—and this requires applied technology, reliable data, and effective methodologies that ensure execution is tied to results.

The global economy has become more expensive and more unpredictable. The world operates without a safety net

The global economy has become more expensive and more unpredictable. The escalation of tensions in strategic routes is a direct reminder of how the world operates without a “safety net.” When a logistical or energy corridor suffers disruptions, the impact spreads rapidly, affecting energy, freight, insurance, fertilizers, and industrial costs, among other factors. In such an environment, industrial resilience ceases to be a talking point and becomes a requirement.

In this context, industrial resilience becomes a prerequisite, and the Brazil-Germany cooperation takes on new meaning—not as a generic agenda of opportunities, but as a strategy for operational continuity in a volatile world.

The Three Pillars: Turning Efficiency into Competitive Advantage

In moments of logistical and energy pressure, the question that must be asked is not “how to grow at any cost?” but rather “how to produce more with less while maintaining stability and quality?” This is where the efficiency agenda becomes a competitive advantage, materializing across three practical fronts.

The first is Artificial Intelligence applied to operations, with an “AI-first” mindset from planning to the factory floor, utilizing AI to predict vulnerabilities, optimize consumption, to minimize variability and boost productivity. This requires structured data and a focus on real problems, not technology for technology’s sake.

The second is industrial modernization with speed and pragmatism. Transformation happens empirically through integration, simplification, and the modernization of legacy systems. Often, the “next frontier” is invisible, residing in the background, in the flows between systems, and in real-time decision-making.

The third is sustainability as a criterion for architecture, processes, and decisions, moving beyond discourse to inform choices. It is technology with a purpose based on energy efficiency, trust, and impact.

In a capital- and energy-intensive sector small percentage improvements in productivity and consumption generate significant impact.

In industry, this is not abstract. We are talking about a capital- and energy-intensive sector where small percentage improvements in productivity and consumption generate significant financial and environmental impact. In many cases, factories consume energy on a scale comparable to entire cities—and reducing that consumption by 5% or 10% is a gamechanger.

However, the success of this alliance depends on moving beyond the old model of exporting raw value.

The global energy transition is reorganizing priorities, and Brazil emerges as a natural partner for Europe in structuring new supply routes. However, the success of this alliance depends on moving beyond the old model of exporting raw value. The Brazil–Germany partnership must be designed as a complete chain, integrating clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and operational intelligence.

More than a showcase, Hannover Messe 2026 is a milestone to consolidate Brazil as a long-term strategic partner, capable of delivering the efficiency and resilience that the global market demands. For industrial leaders, the choice is clear: it is not about waiting for the next disruption to react, but about redesigning how we produce and decide now—transforming volatility into strategy through applied technology and purpose.

Text provided by Stefanini Group.