This paper examines how the Brazilian polymer producers (plastics, rubbers and fibers) access the technologies they need for the maintenance of their business. A study was made in INPI (Brazilian Patent Office) to ascertain what type of contract of technology transfer was registered in that office, over a period of 17 years. In addition, employees that deal with technology were interviewed in seven Brazilian polymer producers. The interviews and the data show that, in spite of the importance of that R&D and technological innovation have for competitiveness in the polymer sector, these firms seem to be technologically dependent on foreign suppliers. This fact, however, does not mean that the Brazilian polymer industry lacks R&D activities; there is this kind of activity but it is concentrated in the short range and is designed to attend to the immediate needs of the market.
Technology transfer; Brazilian polymer industry; Brazilian Patent Office; technological innovation
