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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.
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.
About Ronal Group
Headquartered in Härkingen, Switzerland, Ronal Group employs around 6,400 people worldwide in two different business divisions. The company was founded in Germany in 1969 and has since established production facilities for both of its divisions in 14 countries around the world.
The Ronal Wheels division is a leading manufacturer of light alloy wheels for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, while Ronal Bathrooms manufactures high-quality products for the bathroom and wellness sectors.
Hydro in the Brazilian Amazon
Over the past four years, Hydro done significant investments in social and environmental programs in Para. A key outcome is the Peace House (TerPaz) project, with seven units completed to support vulnerable communities.
In 2019, Hydro launched the Hydro Fund, committing BRL100 million over ten years to grassroots development in Barcarena. Its first major partnership with the Barcarena Sustainable Initiative (IBS) laid the foundation for the Corridor program, which aims to scale sustainable development across Pará by 2035, promoting economic opportunity, building local skills, advancing conservation and forest restoration.
About the Corridor program
The Corridor program was launched in 2024 and is a multisector, multistakeholder initiative dedicated to promoting low-carbon, inclusive and biodiversity positive development in the Brazilian Amazon. The program is aimed at generating social positive impact in the region along the bauxite pipeline operated by Hydro in Brazil. The pipeline stretches 244 kilometers through seven municipalities in the State of Para, from Hydro’s bauxite mine in Paragominas to the Alunorte alumina refinery in Barcarena.
Published: November 4, 2026