Stretching 244 km through the Brazilian Amazon, Hydro’s bauxite pipeline links our mine in Paragominas to the Alunorte refinery in Barcarena, crossing seven municipalities that combine for an area equivalent to the territory of Switzerland or the state of Rio de Janeiro. This corridor is home to rich biodiversity and diverse communities but also faces pressing social and environmental challenges.
Launched in September 2024, the Corridor Program builds on investments implemented by Hydro and other partners to strengthen capacity in the region and develop an economy based on nature. Technically led by IMAZON, IPAM, and Centro de Empreendedorismo da Amazônia (CEA) - NGOs with extensive experience in the Amazon, the goal of the program is to attract new investments to scale up positive impact. Mercedes Benz was a first mover and joined the initiative in the design phase, in 2024 .
The Corridor Program is founded on the principle that industrial operations must deliver value beyond regulatory requirements, partnering with stakeholders from the private and third sectors to create a cohesive and multidisciplinary group capable of delivering net positive impact on both nature and people. To achieve this, the program is anchored on three strategic pillars:
- Economic Development: The program focuses on finding solutions to improve the conditions for nature-based value chains in the territory.
- Social Development: A large-scale approach to social development, targeting (i) basic human needs, (ii) well-being (iii) opportunities, and (iv) capacity building.
- Environment & Biodiversity Conservation: The program works on forest restoration, and conservation of biodiversity in the Amazon, required to ensure positive gains for nature and people.
Building projects for positive impact
Projects part of the Corridor Program are co-designed with local communities, empowering them to identify and prioritize initiatives that directly benefit their regions and territories. These projects demonstrate how industry can support local ecosystems and communities through education, income-generating initiatives, biodiversity restoration, and human rights advocacy. With a strong emphasis on supporting the social progress of family farmers and traditional peoples in the Amazon - including Indigenous, Quilombola, and riverside communities - the program focuses on strengthening local capacities while fostering sustainable livelihoods.
Every project is:
- Community-led: Local communities - including Indigenous, quilombolas, and riverside peoples - identify and prioritize projects that matter the most to them, ensuring ownership and direct benefit.
- Data-driven: Guided by the Social Progress Index and other tools, with impact tracked and reported through clear KPIs.
- Transparent and compliant: Implemented in strict alignment with Brazilian laws and international sustainability standards.
The Corridor Program is already delivering impact through projects such as:
An education-driven project that supports young people in developing entrepreneurial skills rooted in forest-based value chains, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and the creative economy. The first three cycles were funded by Hydro and the Hydro Fund.
- Duration: 2018 – 2026
- Locations: Barcarena, Abaetetuba, Moju, Acará, Tomé-Açu, Ipixuna do Pará, Paragominas
- Target: Young people aged 18–29 living in participating locations
A partnership with seven villages represented by five associations in the Turiwara Indigenous community. The project seeks to voluntarily contribute to their autonomy and socio-economic development while respecting traditional ways of life, ensuring cultural and environmental preservation, and guaranteeing sustainable benefits for the Turiwara people.
- Duration: 2025 – 2030
- Location: Tomé-Açu
- Target: Turiwara Indigenous peoples
Participation on the Corridor Program
The Corridor Program is open to companies and organizations committed to promoting low-carbon, inclusive and biodiversity positive development. Partners gain the opportunity to co-invest in initiatives that improve livelihoods, protect biodiversity, and strengthen communities.
Updated: September 29, 2025