Ulm, March 13, 1995
The 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which was held in Rio de Janeiro, was spectacularly accompanied by large exhibition from Daimler-Benz. But this wasn't the company's only contribution. During the lead-up to the summit, Daimler-Benz and the University of Pará and UNICEF were able to conclude a cooperation agreement initiating the "Poverty and the Environment in the Amazon" (POEMA) project.Daimler-Benz's involvement concentrated on research into the technological use of renewable resources (such as natural fibers, dyes, oils, and rubber). The project has been carried on continuously since its inception. Widely considered to be breaking new ground, it has already received a positive response from environmental and developmental aid organizations.
In the summer of 1993, about a year after the start of the project, a factory for extracting coconut fiber began operations on the island of Marajó; a semi-automated processing plant followed soon afterwards. Since the beginning of 1994, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil has been supplied annually with around 9,000 finished head rests made of coconut fiber from the island of Marajó. This year an expansion of production to 20,000 units is planned.
Meanwhile, others parties have shown interest in purchasing natural products from the Amazon region. The spectrum ranges from local furniture makers to other European automobile manufacturers. Through this interest, the project has successfully evolved into a self-sufficient entity.
The cooperation agreement, signed in 1992, expires in spring 1995. However, Daimler-Benz will remain a partner of the University of Pará, assigning the university specific research projects.
In the meantime, the Daimler-Benz Research Center in Ulm has become European private industry's leading institute of in the area of renewable resources.
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