The industrial landscape in Brazil is no longer just "emerging"—it is undergoing a profound structural re-engineering. As we move through 2026, a convergence of massive capital expenditure, radical regulatory digitization, and a pivot toward "neo-industrialization" has created a high-pressure demand for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. For European partners and global procurement managers, the "MRO Brazil" landscape has shifted from a secondary market to a primary strategic frontier.
The Neo-Industrialization Pivot: NIB and Mission 6
What is driving the sudden growth in the Brazilian industrial sector? The primary catalyst is the Nova Indústria Brasil (NIB) policy, which has mobilized R$ 3.4 trillion in public and private investments to modernize the national production base.
This is not merely a theoretical plan; the results are already visible on the factory floor. In 2024, Brazil’s manufacturing industry grew by 3.7%, while the capital goods sector—the very machines that dictate MRO demand—surged by 9.1%. With industrial capacity utilization hitting a 13-year high of 83%, existing machinery is being pushed to its operational limits, necessitating faster maintenance cycles and a reliable supply of high-tech spare parts.
The most lucrative frontier for specialized MRO lies in Mission 6 of the NIB, which focuses on defense and national sovereignty. With BRL 112.9 billion allocated to strengthening production chains for satellites, launch vehicles, and advanced aerospace components, the demand for precision maintenance is skyrocketing. Strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration between Poland's PGZ and Embraer, underscore the growing importance of the Europe-Brazil corridor in providing MRO support and technology transfer for complex platforms like the KC-390.
Petrobras 2026-2030: Navigating a US$ 109 Billion Energy Horizon
How will Petrobras influence MRO demand through 2030? Under its Business Plan 2026-2030, Petrobras has outlined a massive US$ 109 billion Capex, with US$ 91 billion earmarked for immediate implementation.
A critical takeaway for MRO suppliers is Petrobras’ strategy of "expansion via optimization." The company intends to increase its installed processing capacity from 1.8 million to 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd) without building new refineries. This means growth will be driven by brownfield projects—upgrading and maintaining existing assets to achieve higher efficiency. To support this, Petrobras is targeting US$ 12 billion in savings on manageable operating expenses by 2030 through:
Optimizing subsea inspections and well interventions.
Utilizing advanced aerial and offshore logistics to reduce supply-cycle times.
Postponing non-priority routine maintenance in favor of predictive, data-driven strategies.
This shift creates a vacuum that only highly efficient, technologically advanced MRO partners can fill, particularly those capable of providing subsea intervention components and automation parts for high-pressure Pre-Salt environments.
Logistics Frontiers: The EF-118 Railway and the Port of Açu
What are the key infrastructure developments for Brazilian industrial logistics in 2026? The most significant project is the EF-118 railway, also known as the Southeast Railway Arc, a 575-kilometer link connecting Rio de Janeiro to EspÃrito Santo.
Scheduled for auction in mid-2026, the EF-118 is designed to integrate the Port of Açu, the Port of Vitória, and the Port of Sepetiba into the national rail network. This project is a game-changer for MRO logistics, as it is expected to reduce freight costs for agribusiness and industrial cargo by up to 50%. For companies like KTB-Europe, this infrastructure provides a more stable and cost-effective corridor for moving heavy industrial components from port hubs to inland manufacturing centers. Furthermore, the Port of Açu is emerging as a regional hub for the sustainable decommissioning and reverse engineering of offshore platforms, creating a new niche for high-value MRO services.
Regulatory Evolution: Mastering DUIMP and the Ex-tarifário Regime
How is the Brazilian customs process changing in 2026?
By the end of 2026, the legacy SISCOMEX system will be completely replaced by the new DUIMP (Single Import Declaration) digital window.
This transition is designed to streamline the notoriously complex "Brazil Cost." The DUIMP platform integrates licensing, health agency approvals, and customs procedures into a single online environment, enabling real-time access for government agencies and significantly speeding up clearance times. Additionally, the upcoming 2026 tax reform pilot will introduce a dual VAT model (IBS and CBS), further simplifying the reporting environment for international traders.
For European exporters, the Ex-tarifário regime remains the ultimate tool for competitiveness. This provision allows for the reduction of import duties to 0% for capital goods and IT products that do not have a domestic equivalent in Brazil. Navigating this regime requires precise technical documentation and NCM (Mercosul Common Nomenclature) classification, but it is the primary way to ensure that high-tech European automation parts remain price-competitive in the Brazilian market.
MRO 2.0: Predictive Intelligence and the Green Mandate of COP30
How will sustainability and AI impact MRO Brazil in 2026?
The "Industrial Awakening" is also a digital and green one. With COP30 arriving in Belém in late 2026, the Brazilian government has launched the National Industrial Decarbonization Strategy (ENDI).
MRO providers are now expected to demonstrate "Green MRO" capabilities, focusing on resource efficiency and the repair-over-replace model to reduce waste. Simultaneously, the aviation and energy sectors are rapidly adopting MRO 2.0 technologies. More than 70% of industry leaders believe digital adoption will be critical by 2028, focusing on predictive maintenance that uses IoT sensors to flag potential failures before they lead to downtime. In the aviation sector, GE Aerospace’s BRL 430 million expansion of its Tres Rios plant—expected to be complete by the fall of 2026—will be a center for these advanced services, handling over 500 engine overhauls annually.
The Strategic Advantage of the Brazil-Europe Corridor
The explosion of the MRO market in Brazil is the result of a "perfect storm" of policy, investment, and technological leapfrogging. For procurement professionals, the challenge is no longer just about finding a part; it is about navigating a complex ecosystem of regulatory shifts like DUIMP and industrial mandates like the NIB.
European partners offer a unique stability in this landscape. By leveraging multicultural expertise and a deep understanding of the Ex-tarifário regime, international distributors can bridge the gap between European quality and Brazilian operational demands. As factories continue to modernize and infrastructure like the EF-118 comes online, the ability to provide consolidated, compliant, and technically verified MRO solutions will be the deciding factor for success in the 2026 industrial cycle.