Vale and Brazil’s government agricultural research agency, Embrapa, signed an agreement to create a partnership for research, development and technology transfer on April 26 in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. The two organizations will develop a series of long-term research projects in areas of joint interest, such as sustainable systems, environmental restoration, agro-energy and alternative fertilizers.
The idea for the partnership arose after a workshop held by Vale and Embrapa in August 2010, which had the aim of identifying possible subjects for scientific research of relevance to the two organizations. The studies, which at first will be carried out at Embrapa’s laboratories, involve issues such as carbon balances and sequestration, energy efficiency, the use of palm and jatropha oil, and the application of nanotechnology to produce fertilizers.
The agreement was made between the Vale Technology Institute (ITV), the Vale Foundation and Embrapa. The partnership provides for specialists to have technical work meetings over the course of this year to develop scientific research and technology projects.