China’s United Imaging to build MRI scanners in Joinville with R$535 million

United Imaging Healthcare announced on October 27 in Florianópolis that it will set up its first Latin American unit in Joinville, Santa Catarina, news site ND+ reported. The company plans to invest R$535 million from 2027 in a plant of about 8,000 square metres making MRI and cancer radiotherapy equipment, with 200 to 500 jobs.

According to company representatives, Joinville was chosen for its location. Talks lasted about a year and included visits to other cities and to the ports of Itajaí, Navegantes and Itapoá; the Perini Business Park infrastructure and environmental licensing support weighed in. The Chinese delegation was led by company president Zhang Qiang, and the plan is to supply Brazil and other countries from the plant.

According to an analysis by Chinese medical device portal TopIMD, United Imaging set up a Brazilian subsidiary in May 2026 and aims to use the plant to serve 15 other Latin American countries, with local spare parts and service. The site cites a survey showing Brazil has 3,510 MRI units in use, concentrated in the Southeast.

CSP take: local production of imaging equipment goes a step beyond exports and puts a Chinese brand in direct competition with multinationals in public and private healthcare. Distributors and clinics should watch when the plant opens and which models will be made locally. This reading is ours, not the sources’.