Santa Catarina firms dominate Brazil's innovation rankings

Eleven companies from the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina were named among the most innovative firms in the country in the Valor Innovation Brazil 2026 awards, organized by Strategy& and Valor Econômico. WEG of Jaraguá do Sul topped the Electroeletrônica category, while Whirlpool placed fifth in the same segment. In Bens de Capital, Nidec Global Appliance, Tupy and Schulz took the 3rd, 4th and 5th spots. Dexco, Ciser and Tigre occupied the 2nd, 3rd and 5th positions in Materiais de Construção. ArcelorMittal from Palhoça was third in Siderurgia e Mineração and recognized as the most innovative steel producer, and Irani Papel e Embalagem was the national runner‑up in Papel e Celulose. Unifique from Timbó ranked fifth in Telecomunicações. The awards highlighted the collaborative role of the Instituto SENAI de Inovação e Tecnologia de Santa Catarina in supporting research, development and digital transformation for these firms.