Ronal joins Hydro initiated Corridor program to strengthen long-term development in the Brazilian Amazon

Ronal, a global manufacturer of light-alloy wheels, is joining the Corridor program as a new funding partner. The Hydro initiated program brings together companies and local organizations to support economic opportunity, social progress and environmental conservation in the Brazilian Amazon.

The partnership builds on the existing long-standing relationship between Hydro and Ronal, and demonstrates how connections across the aluminium value chain can help broaden support for the Corridor program. The program connects international partners with initiatives in the Amazon, helping to attract long-term investment that supports people, communities and nature.

"Ronal's decision to join the Corridor program shows how the global aluminium value chain can connect with locally driven development in the Amazon. Building these bridges between international markets and local communities is essential to creating lasting impact, supporting environmental conservation, while strengthening economic opportunities for people across the region," says Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President, Hydro Bauxite & Alumina.

Hydro and Ronal formalized the partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding in Oslo, Norway. The agreement establishes the framework for the companies' cooperation within the program.

"Aluminium is at the core of our business, so understanding and engaging with its value chain is especially important to us. We have worked closely with Hydro for many years, and joining the Corridor Program strengthens our partnership with them beyond aluminium supply. The program's long-term approach and close collaboration with local organizations and communities are important reasons for our participation," says Michael Weis, Ronal Group's Chief Operating Officer.

From left: Agnieszka Drzyzdzyk, Vice President Foundry Alloy Product Area, Hydro; Francine Martin, Sales Director, Hydro; Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President, Hydro Bauxite & Alumina; Eduardo Figueiredo, Senior Vice President Sustainability and Communication, Hydro Bauxite & Alumina; Michael Weis, Ronal Group's Chief Operating Officer; Gabriele Hoehl, Global Department Head, Purchasing Aluminium, Ronal; Marijn Rietveld, Vice President Innovation & Strategic Partnerships (Photo: Emilian Liliegren-Helgesen / Hydro)

Collaboration across the aluminium value chain

Ronal joins the Hydro Fund, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsui & Co. and Mitsui Foundation as a funding partner in the Corridor program. The partnership builds on Ronal's existing commercial relationship with Hydro and strengthens the connection between the global automotive industry and efforts to promote sustainable development in the Amazon.

The program brings together international companies, local organizations and technical partners to support development across three strategic areas:

• Economic development: The program focuses on finding solutions to improve the conditions for nature based value chains in the territory.
• Social development: The program has a large scale approach to social development, targeting basic human needs, wellbeing, opportunities and capacity building.
• Environment and biodiversity conservation: The program works with forest restoration and conservation of biodiversity in the Amazon, required to ensure positive gains for nature and people.

Alongside its funding partners, the program includes Imazon, IPAM, ofi, Peabiru and the Amazon Entrepreneurship Center as strategic partners. Embrapa, Belterra Agroflorestas and the Igarapé Institute provide technical support.

Ronal's participation strengthens the long-term financial foundation of the Corridor program and its ambition to attract additional investment to the region. The program aims to support initiatives over a period of at least ten years, contributing to environmental conservation and the development of a more inclusive and sustainable bioeconomy in the Amazon.