OI 161 en

# 161 VOL. XXXIX JULY/AUGUST 2012 English Edition

Sports The transforming power of a universal passion

1st place – cell phone Anderson Munhoz

2nd place – camera Lauren Pereira

3rd place – cell phone Francisco da Cunha Melo

II

informa

1st place – camera Carolina Almeida de Souza

3rd place – camera Erick Marcel Carvalho

2nd place – cell phone José Marcelo Arruda de Oliveira

THESE PAGES SHOW THE WINNING PHOTOS FROM ODEBRECHT INFORMA’S SPORTS IN FOCUS COMPETITION

Opposite, photos that received honorable mention, by (clockwise from top left) Olavo de Pinho, Lauren Pereira, Alex Vasconcellos da Silva Guedes and Juliano de Paula Santos

informa

1

www.odebrechtonline.co Online edition

Online archive

> Braskem’s Walking and Running Program in São Paulo shows that you don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

> Braskem’s Running and Health Club in Camaçari, Bahia, and Paulínia, São Paulo, aims to improve company members’ quality of life.

> See the stories behind the winning photos from Odebrecht Informa’s Sports in Focus competition.

> Collective wedding at the Corinthians Arena: workers who are helping build the stadium for the opening of the FIFA 2014 World Cup officialize their unions with their partners.

> You can view this entire issue in HTML and PDF

> Access all back issues of Odebrecht Informa since no. 1, and download full issues in PDF.

> Odebrecht Annual Reports since 2002.

> Special publications (Special Issue on Social Programs, 60 years of the Odebrecht Group, 40 Years of the Odebrecht Foundation and 10 Years of Odeprev).

2

informa informa

m.br

> Read Odebrecht Informa on your tablet and smartphone. > Reports, features, videos, photos, animations and infographics.

Video reports

> See the details of the construction of the Corinthians Arena and the revamp of Maracanã, which will respectively host the opening and final games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. > Fonte Nova Arena and Pernambuco Arena: technological innovation and recycled resources make both ventures good examples of sustainable engineering. > In rural Pernambuco, the revamp of Salgueirão, the stadium of the Salgueiro Sports Club, promises to heat up the classic Brasileirão Championship’s Series B soccer games. > In Rio de Janeiro, the Porto Maravilha docklands regeneration project, which will be one of the main legacies of the 2016 Olympics, leads to archeological finds dating back to colonial times.

Blog

> Three reading suggestions on sustainable development. > Isto é Dinheiro magazine hails the Odebrecht Group as one of the “Top 50 Do-Good Companies.” > Rio+20: Braskem’s “green” plastic contributed to the debate on sustainability.

> Follow Odebrecht Informa on Twitter and get news in real time @odbinforma.

> Comment on blog posts and participate by sending your suggestions to the editors.

> PRESERVING KNOWLEDGE The Odebrecht Culture Center (NCO): a historical perspective on the results achieved by the Odebrecht Group.

informa informa

33

Cover: Playing volleyball on Ilha do Cabo (Cape Island), Luanda.

Photo by Guilherme Afonso

#161

8

The stories of Group members who are dedicated mind and soul to sports – all the time

14

Carlos José Cunha and the challenge of leading SuperVia as an ongoing project that will service one million people by 2016

16

Projects in Rio de Janeiro are preparing the city to host the 2016 Olympics. And much more

26

The Brazilian Navy-Odebrecht Olympic Project helps realize the dreams of young athletes – and an entire country

28

The Athletes’ Village, in the Ilha Pura district, is under construction in Barra da Tijuca. It will house the Olympic heroes in Rio in 2016

31

Project supported by ETH helps groom athletes who are also stars in the classroom

34

Benedicto Junior discusses the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2016 Olympics and their legacy of increased selfesteem for the Brazilian people

39

Photo contest: Odebrecht members take to the streets in search of beautiful pictures of sports

42

Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Bahia and Pernambuco witness the birth (or rebirth) of four arenas that will be a source of pride for Brazil

54

American Airlines Arena in Miami, built by Odebrecht and inaugurated in 1999, is the home of the NBA’s 2012 champions

44

informa informa

sports 58

Memory: precious lessons learned from the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro

62

See how petrochemical raw materials are present in soccer and many other sports

66

Initiatives involving Braskem make sports a bridge to civic spirit

72

Every day, on the beaches and streets of Angola, a nation demonstrates its love for sports

78

Open Spaces: helping young people from Macaé, on the coast of Rio de Janeiro State, overcome social risk situations

82

Foz Águas 5: the utility company is playing a key role in the context of the Rio Olympics

86

Odebrecht Run and Walk: providing (increasingly well-received) encouragement for healthy lifestyle habits

88

Marco Aurélio Fonseca writes about sports as a tool for social development and inclusion

The map shows the countries and Brazilian states (in white) where the projects and programs described in this issue of Odebrecht Informa are located, and where the people who feature in these stories live and work

informa informa

55

6

informa

EDITORIAL

Better all the time

C “The following pages contain the stories of people, companies, cities and countries that believe in the Olympic motto and live it on a daily basis. Citius, Altius, Fortius. Always”

itius, Altius, Fortius. Faster, higher (or further), stronger. The Olympic motto teaches, inspires and encourages: it is always necessary to go a step beyond and overcome our limitations. This is a truth that does not just apply to athletes, Olympic heroes, the flesh-and-blood legends who impress the world every four years. It is also, or mainly, true for the cities that are hosting the games, and even more so for the people who are making those cities fit to host the most important sporting event on the planet, which will be the case with Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Yes, Rio, the Marvelous City – recently declared a UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity site in the Urban Cultural Landscape category – is following the Olympic motto to the letter. The state capital of Rio de Janeiro is also the site of infrastructure works – especially in the Center and West Zone – that will fully equip it to become the world’s sports capital in 2016. But the fact is that they are doing much more.

Citius, Altius, Fortius. The projects in progress in Rio de Janeiro are enabling the city to achieve something even more important than hosting the Olympic Games: thanks to the works currently underway, the city will give an extraordinary boost to its residents’ quality of life through development of advanced solutions in the areas of urban mobility and housing, for example. This is by definition a legacy.

First, however, Rio and 11 other major Brazilian cities will host an event with the same level of importance and visibility as the Olympics: the FIFA World Cup. In 2014, 32 countries represented by their national soccer teams will arrive in Brazil to vie for the title of world champion in the planet’s most popular sport. The revamp of the legendary Maracanã Stadium and the construction of the Corinthians, Fonte Nova and Pernambuco arenas are the highlights among the numerous projects that are preparing the country for FIFA’s wonderful tournament for the beautiful game. And there’s more: these new arenas are going to provide new multipurpose facilities that will benefit sports fans and aficionados of the arts, culture and entertainment. Not only that, but they could also contribute to the birth of a new mindset in the management of Brazilian soccer. Legacy.

In this issue of Odebrecht Informa, you will read about all this and more: projects that use sports as a tool for strengthening civic spirit. You will learn how an increasing number of people are making sports part of their everyday lives – not as an obligation but as a passion. In short, the following pages contain the stories of people, companies, cities and countries that believe in the Olympic motto and live it on a daily basis. Citius, Altius, Fortius. Always.

Good reading.

sport

Passionate about written by João Marcondes

8

S

ports mean health. And obsession, love,

Kleber’s friends to this day. One day, at the “Little Hawaii”

art, science, reasoning, therapy, meditation,

beach in the Pituba district, they invited him to climb on a

work. A sport is a game. It is also a passion.

surfboard, but “forgot” to pass the surf wax (which keeps

In this feature, Odebrecht Informa tells the

surfers from slipping off the boards). He endured dunk-

stories of members of two of the Group’s

ing after dunking as a result. But the prank just encour-

companies (Braskem and Odebrecht Infraestrutura) who

aged Kleber to keep going. “Once I managed to stay on

make sports a way of life. These are stories of dunkings

the surfboard, I never quit.” Forty years later, with several

and medals. And the examples of people who want to

state and national titles under his belt, he is now one of the

make the world a more enjoyable place to live.

oldest and most beloved surfers and paddlers in Salvador.

Born in Rio and an honorary native of Bahia, Kleber

8

From Itapuã to Hawai

is an engineer by profession. His passions are his family,

Kleber Batinga’s relationship with surfing was born

work and the sea. He looks out serenely at the green and

from a happy accident. As a boy in the early 1970s, he and

blue sea of Itapuã and is inspired to go stand-up paddle

a female friend used to pair up to take part in the Spring

boarding - one of his favorite forms of surfing, in addition to

Competition in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. However, the girl

traditional surfing and Hawaiian canoeing – a sport where

had three over-protective surfer brothers who are still

athletes row standing up on a board. Kleber has made the

informa

photo: Ricardo Chaves

s

Surfing, chess, volleyball, rowing, running, swimming, marathons, ping pong, motorbike riding. Members from several parts of Brazil discuss their fascination with sports

André Mombach in the pool: his love for swimming started with a ducking

crossing between Salvador and Itaparica Island several times that way.

Chessboard ballet Putting words into action is also part of life for Neemias

Now 59, he is Braskem’s Projects Coordinator at the

do Nascimento Paris, 42. He likes to quote Russian chess

Camaçari Complex in Bahia. He considers Itapuã his “lit-

master Anatoly Karpov so as best to describe the battle

tle Hawaii,” but has also conquered the waves of the Ha-

on the chessboard: “Chess is everything: art, science, and

waiian Islands (he has made over 10 trips there) and made

sport.”

friends with the great “big riders”: Hawaiians like Mark

Born and raised in poverty in Salvador by strict parents,

Foo and Brazilians Carlos Burle and Danilo Couto. A fan of

Neemias found in his studies the ideal haven for a focused

the famous Hawaiian Waimea Bay lifeguard, Eddie Aikau,

personality hungry for knowledge. His involvement with

both in surfing and his work at Braskem Kleber’s motto

chess started almost by accident. At the age of 21, he had

is “safety and prevention – people and the environment.”

to take a leave of absence from work due to health prob-

He is the author of prize-winning works in that field, and

lems. He started playing Atari at home and came across

writes prevention “commandments” that he follows step

a chess cartridge. The rest is history: state and regional

by step in his professional and sports activities. He also

titles and championships in the SESI games. His sons Es-

helps clean up the beaches where he paddles and surfs,

dras, 17, and Eude, 14, are following the same path. Both

“both the sand and the water.”

are already state champions in their categories in Bahia. informa

9

ment Engineer at the Triunfo Petrochemical Complex in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. She has engaged in various sports, such as gymnastics and swimming, but it was the team spirit of volleyball that won her heart. “It’s a great way to make friends,” she says. So much so that when she arrived in the state capital, Porto Alegre, nine months ago, she helped bring together fans of the sport, both beginners and veterans, to “hit a ball” at the Braskem Cultural and Sports Association (ACEB) once a week after work.

A native of Araraquara, São Paulo, Paula started play-

Kleber Batinga: one of the oldest surfers and paddlers in Salvador, Bahia

photos: Élcio Carriço

ing volleyball with her cousins. She won a championship for her hometown in the São Paulo State Youth League’s regional games. Her biggest idol in the sport is Gilberto Amauri Godoy Filho, better known as Giba.

“Braskem encourages its members to get involved in sports and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Internal newsletters are a good tool for that,” she says. That was how Paula found her fellow players.

As the Braskem officer Responsible for Industrial Operations at the Camaçari Complex, Neemias sees some

Passion for rowing

important similarities between the requirements of chess

Blessed with the right physique (1.98m or 6’5” tall), the

and his job, such as the need for quick, systematic think-

discipline to get up before dawn, and team spirit, Sérgio

ing and an appreciation for strategy and tactics.

Paiva Silveira nearly became a professional athlete. His sport: rowing. As a youth, his performance attracted at-

Sports and friendship

tention and he was invited to train on the Flamengo rowing

Volleyball has also done a great deal to inspire people

team in Rio de Janeiro. He went, but only stayed for three

in the workplace. Paula Yuko Ogata, 24, was born in São Paulo State and is now a Braskem Product Develop-

months.

“There are very few incentives for athletes in this country, so I decided to concentrate on a profession.” But this did not stop Sérgio from going on training and competing.

And winning. His office is bedecked with over 200 trophies

Neemias Paris: chess is an art, sport and science

and medals, including a bronze from the World Masters Championships in Spain in 1999. He heads for the water at least four times a week. “I want to compete until I’m 75, which is the ‘I’ category of competition,” says Sérgio, 48, who is a Braskem Maintenance Technician at the Triunfo Complex in his home state.

His family has always backed his ventures into the world of sports, but now their star athlete is his 12-yearold daughter, Sofia, a promising player on the Sogipa volleyball team.

Racing upgrade Architect Izabela Sander, 30, never wanted to be a professional athlete. Her goal was just to stay in shape, so she only ran races sporadically. Then, through an initiative

10

informa

of Odebrecht Infraestrutura (Infrastructure), where she works, she joined a running group that is accompanied by a professional sports counselor. What started out as a hobby has become such a commitment that racing is part of her life. “The professionals in the group give me important tips, which make me run even better! Foot placement, pace, eating habits, and learning how my body responds to all this,” she says. “I didn’t know the difference between lean and fat body mass and their importance for performance and wellbeing. I only cared about the numbers on the scales.”

Exercising has become a pleasure, says Izabela, who lives in Belo Horizonte. “Everything in my life has improved.

Today, I eat better, have more energy, sleep soundly, and, of course, there’s my body’s response.” Married with one daughter, Izabela has shared her new habits with her family. She has even managed to encourage her once-sedentary husband to follow in her footsteps. “He’s changed his eating habits, lost 30 kilos (about 66 pounds), works out at the gym, and now we go running together!” she says,

The pool is his second home “Love” is the word André Mombach uses to describe what he feels for swimming. It all started when he went to a birthday party as a child. The house had a pool, and

Sérgio Silveira: plans to row until he’s 75

photos: Ricardo Chaves

clearly pleased with the outcome.

Paula Ogata: “It’s a great way to make friends”

the kids decided to take a dip. André plunged in too, but he couldn’t swim. “I almost drowned, and my mother immediately signed me up for swimming lessons.” That’s how this love story began.

The pool has become his second home. During the toughest period of training, he used to wake up at 4 am in the harsh cold of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, and practice every day. But he didn’t complain. “When I’m in the water, I go into a meditative state. I think about life. I come up with good ideas for my work and studies,” says Mombach, 20, a Braskem Laboratory Analyst who is working towards a degree in Power Engineering.

In 2009, during Carnival on the Rio Grande do Sul coast, he and his friends were frolicking in the ocean when one of them strayed from the group and “fell” into a pit in the sea floor. If Mombach hadn’t swum against the current to get him out of there, that story would have had a tragic ending.

Swimming is part of Mombach’s life. He had a brilliant career as a young athlete, and racked up the scores he needed to compete in the adult category in national

informa

11

the Athens Olympics in 2004) in the Círio de Nazaré race in Belém in 1996. He came in first and I finished third,” he recalls with pride. At age 43, now living in Açailândia, Maranhão, he intends to represent Odebrecht in his 11th São Silvestre marathon.

Eastern focus Danilo Oshiro also needs to be fast on his feet. The ball only weighs three a half grams but it flies at a speed of 160 km/h, and he needs to hit it hundreds of times per game. Strength, dexterity and concentration are characteristics that Danilo, 31, has developed since he

Izabela Sander: raising her family’s awareness

photo: Eugênio Sávio

started playing ping pong at age 14 in his Santos, São Paulo, home.

A Braskem Planning Analyst based at the company’s office in Porto Alegre, he is a fan of ping-pong champion Cláudio Kano. Danilo practices every weekend in Porto Alegre, and represents the company at the SESI games.

In a single tournament, he plays up to seven (half hour) matches in a single day.

tournaments, perhaps even try out for major events like

“Their biotype and discipline are weapons that make

the Pan American and Olympic Games. “But I didn’t have

Asians the strongest in the sport,” says his coach Jorge

any sponsors,” he says with a smile.

Fanck, who usually faces off against Danilo in official

Running with the greats When Pedro Jesus Figueiredo started doing sports, he ran barefoot. Born and raised in the interior of Maranhão, Brazil, he used to walk long distances with nothing to protect his feet. For example, when he went from the town of Cidelândia to the farm where he and his sister lived, in the countryside. He started trotting to go a bit faster. After 8 kilometers, he felt relaxed and was going with the flow. He thought: I guess I’m pretty good at this running business.

He became a runner, competing in marathons in the best tradition of Kenyan history, which is similar to the story of this track assembler who is working on the Carajás Railroad Expansion Project being carried out by Odebrecht Infraestrutura.

Soon he began to stand out and win small races.

He used to practice running in the streets of Cidelândia. When people saw him race by they’d shout: “Where But they didn’t, and he went far. He has competed in 10 São Silvestre marathons and won 211 medals over the course of his 20-year career.

“One of the most thrilling times was when I competed against Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima (bronze medalist at

12

informa

personal archives

you going, kid? We’ll have to tie you down at this rate!”

Pedro Figueiredo: long track record in the São Silvestre marathon

photo: Ricardo Chaves

Danilo Oshiro: started playing ping pong when he was 14

competitions. “One of my current goals is to beat him,” says Danilo, partly in jest.

On the road For Geraldo Villin Prado, 54, sports are primarily therapeutic. He rides a motorbike. “It’s mental hygiene.

I don’t think about anything when I’m on the road,” says Geraldo, who has been passionate about those twowheeled machines since childhood, when he used to watch his grandfather ride motorbikes. The older man never drove a car.

In early 2012, Villin set out on the most amazing adventure of his life: an 8,200-km trip from São Paulo to Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, and back to São Paulo. He went with four of his brothers, all on bikes. They rode through Paso de San Francisco (which is rarely used) to get from Argentina to Chile, and descended nearly 5,000 meters in a single day.

Fitness is essential for a trek like that. After all, they had to spend up to 10 hours a day on the seat of a motorcycle.

For 17 days, Villin was rewarded with breathtaking scenery: colored hills.

“The main thing you need to ride a motorbike is to pay attention. After all, bikers are invisible when they’re on the road,” says the officer Responsible for Odebrecht Infraestrutura’s Investment Program, who also takes part in rallies on a regular basis. Now his dream is to be on the road again, this time in Turkish Cappadocia.

photo: Holanda Cavalcanti

araucaria forests, cactus, desert, mountains, and seven-

Geraldo Villin: physical fitness and alertness

informa

13

PROFILE: Carlos José Cunha

“Conductor” of an ongoing project The President of SuperVia’s mission is to lead the company as it engages in a process of improvement that goes beyond the Rio Olympics written by Elea Almeida photo by Marcos Michael

C

arlos José Cunha, 60, has

events (the 2014 FIFA World Cup and

Odebrecht, it was already a major

spent half his life at Ode-

Rio 2016 Olympics).

company, but nobody expected it to grow this much,” he says.

brecht, where he is now

A native of Rio who graduated

President of SuperVia, the Odebrecht

in Civil Engineering from the city’s

In 1989, in the state of Minas Gerais,

TransPort subsidiary that operates the

Pontifical Catholic University in 1974,

he tackled one of his biggest challenges

Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region’s

during his four-decade career Car-

when excavating Brazil’s deepest verti-

commuter rail service. After 30 years

los José has played an active role in

cal shaft for the São Bento mine, 80 km

with the Group, he not only applies the

projects that are major milestones in

from the state capital, Belo Horizonte.

principles laid down by the Odebrecht

the city’s history. He was on the team

At the time, the company won an in-

Entrepreneurial Technology (TEO) as

that built the Rio-Niterói Bridge, Rio’s

ternational award for building a 1,100m

naturally as breathing but seeks to im-

International and Santos Dumont air-

tunnel without a single accident (the

prove them on a continual basis in the

ports, the Jacarepagua racetrack, the

world average, at the time, was one fa-

course of his everyday tasks.

Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca marine

tal accident per 300 meters).

When he arrives at the office, he makes a point of shaking hands with

outfalls, and the Marriott Hotel in Copacabana, among other projects.

He has received several proposals to work on the Group’s projects in oth-

everyone he meets along the way,

Outside his hometown, he has

er countries, but opted to stay in Brazil.

and giving his attention to those who

taken on responsibilities from the

“I got five invitations to work in other

want to talk. “We have established a

southern state of Rio Grande do Sul

countries, but fate has always kept me

close relationship with our members

to the Amazon. His first project for

close to home,” he says. “I believe in

so that everyone can express them-

Odebrecht was the Port of Praia Mole,

the importance of international experi-

selves. My office door is open. Every-

built in Vitória, Espírito Santo, in 1982.

ence, but I’ve chosen to contribute to

one is free to come and go. And, more

“I had kept a close eye on the orga-

the development of Brazil, especially

and more, they are expressing their

nization’s growth. By the time I joined

Rio de Janeiro.”

pride in belonging to our company,” says Carlos José.

He has headed SuperVia since January 2011, and is well aware of the magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead: the revitalization of the company is part of the legacy that Odebrecht, which has owned controlling interest in SuperVia since 2010, wants to leave for the upcoming sporting

14

informa

“My client is the people of Rio de Janeiro”

The announcement that the state

ties in the metropolitan area. SuperVia

120 new trains, 30 of which will be run-

capital would host the FIFA World Cup

operates 160 trains that travel on a

ning by the end of this year. Since Janu-

and Olympics led Carlos José to ask

270-km network with five branches

ary, SuperVia has been utilizing one of

Benedicto Junior, CEO of Odebrecht

connected by 100 stations, passing

the most advanced control centers in

Infraestrutura (Infrastructure) for an

through the city of Rio de Janeiro and

the world. A new signaling system will

opportunity to work on the prepara-

11 Greater Rio municipalities, with a

reduce the headway (interval between

tions for the world’s two largest sport-

total of 10 million inhabitants. “Most

trains) from six to three minutes. All

ing events. “I wanted to complete my

projects have a beginning, middle and

the stations will be refurbished, includ-

mission in Rio as well. When I was

end, but this one is ongoing. I won’t be

ing the historic Brazil Central Station.

asked to head SuperVia, I thought

here at SuperVia when the concession

Through the total renovation of Super-

there had been a misunderstanding,

ends in 2048, but we have to plant this

Via and improved quality of service, the

but in less than 10 minutes I was con-

seed: a revitalized system with a ser-

goal is to serve one million passengers

vinced that this challenge had every-

vice standard of excellence,” observes

by 2016, up from the current 570,000.

thing to do with the games.”

Carlos José.

“My client is the people of Rio de Ja-

Carlos José says he has been gifted

The company is investing BRL 2.4

with a task whose accomplishment

billion as part of the effort to revamp

will not only fulfill the requirements of

SuperVia. That money will

the World Cup and the Olympics but,

be used to buy

neiro, and my priority is to satisfy that client,” says Carlos José.

above all, will meet the needs of thousands of people in several communi-

Carlos José: “Most projects have a beginning, middle and end, but this one is ongoing”

informa informa

1515

transfo New wave of

written by JosĂŠ Enrique Barreiro photos by Geraldo Pestalozzi

Downtown Rio de Janeiro is being revitalized with projects that will help the city host the 2016 Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup

16 1616

informa informa

rmation

Foreground, the Perimeter Highway Overpass, which will give way to a system of tunnels and boulevards; further in the background, the construction site for the Museum of Tomorrow on Mauå Pier: regeneration and revitalization of Rio’s docklands

informa

17

Central Avenue (now Rio Branco Avenue) in 1910, shortly after it officially opened: an icon of the urban reform that gave Rio a new look

B

18

etween 1903 and 1906, Rio de Janeiro un-

eases and epidemics. At the same time, especially among

derwent an unprecedented transforma-

the elite, there was an aspiration to make the capital of the

tion. Then with a population of about one

Republic a modern, cosmopolitan city in the style of the

million inhabitants concentrated in the

main European metropolises – particularly Paris, given

region now known as the Center, the city

the strong French influence in Rio at that time.

experienced an urban reform that completely changed

Today, a little more than 100 years after Pereira

its landscape. Avenues were built, including Central

Passos’s urban renewal project, the Center of Rio de

(now Rio Branco), Mem de Sá, Dos Passos, Beira-Mar

Janeiro is experiencing a new wave of transformations

and Atlântica; streets were widened, squares and pla-

that should have a similar impact. Known as Porto

zas were refurbished, and the Municipal Theatre and

Maravilha (Port Wonder), this ongoing project includes

many other works were built. Carried out during the

a wide range of works and services that are regenerat-

administration of Mayor Pereira Passos, and popularly

ing and revitalizing the area. According to Mayor Edu-

known as “Tear it Down,” the reform razed about 1,600

ardo Paes: “A city that does not take care of its area of

buildings and Senado Hill. But it gave Rio the look the

origin, does not take care of its Center, is a city without

city eagerly desired.

an identity. One of the first challenges I took on when I

Several changes, both political (the transition from

became Mayor was to realize a dream that seemed im-

Empire to Republic in 1889) and social (European im-

possible for Rio de Janeiro, which was the restoration

migration, the abolition of slavery and expansion of free

of its docklands.”

labor, at the same time), had impacted the urban environ-

Leandro Azevedo, Executive Director of Odebrecht In-

ment, which saw a population boom and the spread of

fraestrutura (Infrastructure) for Rio de Janeiro, explains

tenements and slums. Sanitary conditions were appalling.

that the city has finally consolidated the political and

There were no water supply or sewer systems, which fos-

economic conditions it needs to carry out all the invest-

tered successive out-

ments in urban mobility and infrastructure that had been

breaks of dis-

planned for over a decade. “Our biggest challenge,” he

informa

says, “is that all these investments are being made at

“The port area was neglected for 70 years. The Porto

the same time. There are 10,000 people at work in the

Maravilha project has come to the rescue in a serious

downtown area building new roads, redirecting and re-

and professional way.”

furbishing others, working underground, digging tunnels, and remodeling the entire sewer, water, drainage

Jobsites everywhere

and telecommunications system in the region. Rio has

All the work being done in downtown Rio – which is

not seen this much activity in a very long time.”

also helping prepare the city to host the 2016 Olympics

Although the center of their city has become a huge

and the closing game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup – was

construction site, Rio’s residents are handling the in-

made possible by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

conveniences without complaint. Quite the opposite, in

focused on the execution of works

fact, because they know very well what it signifies. Gaand Friends of the Saúde Neighborhood, approves:

ES

MG

briel Catarino, founder of the Association of Residents

and services in the region. The

RJ

SP

Rio de Janeiro

Regenerating Rio’s docklands

Rio de Janeiro

Area covered:

490 hectares Rehabilitating and expanding roadways Installing an LRV (Light Rail Vehicle) system New sewer, water, power and gas lines Public lighting and storm drains Guanabara Bay rig

od Av. R

Av. Ve nezue la

Av. Francisco Bicalho

Linha

T do VL as

Implantação de Veículo Leve sobre Trilho

te Varg siden Av. Pre

o Branc Av. Rio

Gamboa Santo Cristo

New telecommunications system

lves ues A

Saúde

Center

Santos Dumont Airport

Integrating the docklands into the Center Installing a Light Rail Vehicle system informa

19

total value of the PPP is BRL 7.6 billion (the largest ever carried out in Brazil), of which BRL 4.2 billion will be allocated to construction and BRL 3.4 billion to cleaning, traffic management, drainage, and maintenance of parks and gardens, among others, for a 15-year period.

Odebrecht is participating in the PPP through the Porto Rio joint-venture contractor (responsible for construction) and the Porto Novo concession company (the operator of public service concessions).

Odebrecht’s Ricardo Bueno, the Project Director for Porto Rio, explains the concept behind the works in progress: “We are building everything from scratch to ensure that it is well done and set up in a way that will attract investors and future users.” Among other infrastructure works, Bueno cites the construction and installation of 84,000m of drainage systems and culverts (including a 3.80m by 2.20m culvert, big enough

Construction works in the Morro da Providência area: new roads, improved sanitation and a cable-car system

for a car to drive through) to prevent floods in the area, 26,000m of gas pipelines, a new 75,000m fiber optic telecommunications network, and 500,000m of electric power networks (about 3,700 utility posts will be deactivated and the entire system of overhead power lines will be underground).

with Guanabara Bay. In its place, about 3.5 km of tun-

The road system in the docklands will undergo a

nels and a twin system of avenues will serve as routes

profound change. The demolition of the Perimeter

for vehicles bound for Niterói, the Baixada Fluminense

Highway Overpass, scheduled to begin in the first half

area and other regions, as well as those traveling in

of 2013, is one of the key moves that will link the city

the opposite direction towards the center of town.

“With this system in place, traffic capacity will jump from the current 7,600 vehicles per hour to 10,500 per hour. We will not just remove the overpass: we will replace and expand the entire system,” repeats Bueno.

His teams will also restore secondary roads and sidewalks and install new bike paths.

The project also includes an LRV (Light Rail Vehicle) system integrated with other forms of transportation to improve road links in the region, giving priority to pedestrians and reducing pollution.

The region will also be getting two new museums: the Rio Museum of Art and the Museum of Tomorrow, the result of a partnership between the City of Rio and the Roberto Marinho Foundation. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the

A listed building stands next to a jobsite in the vicinity of Primeiro de Março Avenue: taking care to preserve the city’s historic heritage

20

informa

Museum of Tomorrow is the “cherry on the cake” of all the projects underway in downtown Rio. Its construction on the old Mauá Square Pier is the responsibility of the Porto Rio joint venture. The museum’s entrance hall will be 15m high, with bright, spacious

Excavation underway in Mauá Square: downtown Rio de Janeiro is getting ready to experience a new era

areas and a roof covered with fins equipped with photovoltaic solar cells, which will open and close according to weather conditions to make the best use of sunlight.

To add to Rio’s hospitality facilities for the Olympics, two hotels will be built, a total of eight buildings that will house journalists who are not accredited for the event, and then be turned into residential buildings. In addition to Odebrecht Infraestrutura, Odebrecht Realizações Imobiliárias (Real Estate Developments, OR) is also participating in this project, called Porto Olímpico (Olympic Port).

Archaeological finds The works in downtown Rio began with the SaúdeGamboa project, which renovated the area’s infrastructure (water, sewer, drainage, and telecommunications systems and conversion to an underground power grid) and refurbished parks and gardens in the two neighborhoods. The works included several avenues, streets and Morro da Conceição. Then came Morro da Providência’s turn, where improvements to that hillside slum’s water and sewer systems have also been

“All the material is being carefully screened, identi-

made, and a cable-car system is being built to connect

fied and stored by the National History Museum before

Brazil Central railway station to Samba City on the wa-

it is transferred to the custody of the Rio de Janeiro

terfront, passing through Américo Brum Square, on

Department of Culture,” says Odebrecht’s Eduardo

the top of the hill.

Fontenelle, the Project Director for the Saúde-Gamboa

Excavations in the Saúde-Gamboa area have found

and Morro da Providência projects. Fontenelle also ex-

traces of the former Valongo and Imperatriz (Em-

plains that the archaeologists have unearthed the Va-

press) piers. Valongo Pier once received ships that

longo Hanging Gardens, including the guardhouse and

docked there to disembark enslaved people brought

public urinals that stood there in the first decade of the

to Brazil from Africa. Although deactivated in 1831,

19th century. “We’ve brought in a restorer from France,

it continued to operate illegally for several years. In

who has joined the Brazilian team of historians and re-

1843, Emperor Pedro II ordered the construction of

storers to bring the Valongo Hanging Gardens as close

Imperatriz Pier to receive his bride, Princess Teresa

as possible to their original form.”

Cristina. According to historians, he also intended to bury the memory of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

From the construction of tunnels to the preservation of historical artifacts, there are many facets to Ode-

Project teams have found well-preserved sec-

brecht’s work in the Porto Maravilha project. The size and

tions of both piers, which facilitated the work of spe-

complexity of the works underway in downtown Rio, the

cialists from the National History Museum, led by Dr.

unconventional financing model and the format of the

Tania Andrade Lima, who directed the archaeologi-

project, which includes construction works and the op-

cal digs in that area. According to the latest study,

eration of public service concessions, are also a source

they have found about 80,000 artifacts, including an-

of fresh knowledge for the company’s teams. According

chors, cannonballs, jewelry boxes, necklaces, pipes,

to Ricardo Bueno, “This entire experience will be useful

coins, bracelets, pottery shards and many other

for similar projects in other Brazilian cities, and will pro-

items that shed light on the way of life of an era and

vide yet another alternative for serving clients in the other

the history of the city.

countries where Odebrecht is present.”

informa

21

well outs the four lines

22

written by Edilson Lima photos by Carlos JĂşnior

The TransOeste, TransOlĂ­mpica and Metro Line 4 projects, as well as investments in SuperVia, are enabling Rio to host major sporting events and preparing the city for the future 22

informa

side

D

oorman Edimilson Lima, 36, has good reason to celebrate the inauguration of the TransOeste Expressway in Rio de Janeiro. He lives in the Pedra de Guaratiba neighborhood, and his daily commuting time to work in Barra da Tijuca has

gone down drastically, from two hours to 40 minutes. “We used to face long traffic jams early in the morning. Things are much better now,” he says. Officially opened on June 6, the TransOeste is the first of four urban mobility projects that Odebrecht companies are building in the city as part of the program to prepare Rio de Janeiro to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

Begun in 2010, the TransOeste project connects Barra da Tijuca with the Santa Cruz and Campo Grande neighborhoods, all in the West Zone of the city. The project is divided into four lots, and Odebrecht Infraestrutura (Infrastructure) is responsible for two of them (lots I and II), amounting to a 24-km stretch. Highlights include the deployment of the city’s first BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system and the construction of the 1.1-km Grota Funda tunnel, which will be run with the help of an ultra-modern Operations Control Center (OCC).

“The tunnel is the apple of our eye,” says Engineering Manager Tomnila Motta. In addition to the BRT and the tunnel, the project also involved widening roadways, rehabilitating existing roads, and constructing bridges and overpasses.

25 BRT stations Odebrecht has built 25 BRT stations for the buses that will run along that corridor. All of them will be air conditioned and will carry up to 140 people. “The public has needed a system like this for a very long time. The City had a dream and we’ve brought it to fruition,” says Project Director Pedro Moreira.

TransOeste’s Novo Leblon Station: air-conditioned buses seating up to 140 people

The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Eduardo Paes, Governor Sergio Cabral, former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Marcelo Odebrecht, President and CEO of Odebrecht S.A., and Benedicto Junior and Leandro Azevedo, respectively the CEO and Executive Director of Odebrecht Infraestrutura for Rio de Janeiro. “Today we are breaking down a historical social divide,” said Mayor Paes, referring to the Grota Funda Tunnel, the first to penetrate the Pedra Branca Massif, the mountain range that runs between the more developed neighborhoods and the poorest in the West Zone of Rio. Previously, during rush hour, it took about 40 minutes just to cross the mountains. Thanks to the tunnel, it now takes less than a minute, standing to benefit 220,000 people per day.

informa

23

From left, Governor Sérgio Cabral, former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Mayor Eduardo Paes at the opening of TransOeste

Grota Funda Tunnel: benefiting 220,000 people per day

TransOlímpica

in the South Zone (to be built in the Gávea district) and

Now that the TransOeste system is up and running,

then on to Barra da Tijuca. The new line will add over 16

Project Director Pedro Moreira is mobilizing his teams

km and six new stations to Rio’s subway system, which

to tackle another challenge: building the TransOlímpica

will transport about 250,000 people daily.

Expressway, which will connect the Olympic complex in

The first part of the project is under the responsibil-

Barra da Tijuca with the one the Deodoro, also in the

ity of Consórcio Construtor Rio Barra (CCRB), a joint-

West Zone. Most of the Olympic events will take place

venture contractor formed by Queiroz Galvão (leader),

in these two complexes. “It now takes more than two

Odebrecht Infraestrutura, Carioca Engenharia, Cowan

hours to get from one to the other. Thanks to TransOlím-

and Servix. It covers the stretch between Barra da Tijuca

pica, it will take 15 minutes. Traveling time will be much

and Gávea, a distance of approximately 12 km. Ground

faster for the athletes, as well as for the people who live

was broken in September 2010. A 3.3-km section of the

in these areas. Projections show that 50,000 cars will

tunnel, the main feature of the project, has already been

use this new route every day,” says Fernando Góes, from

drilled (1.6 km from the path of the subway trains, plus

Odebrecht TransPort, the Administrative and Financial

the parking lot and concourse of São Conrado station).

Director of the TransOlímpica S.A. concession company.

“We are well below the edge of Tijuca Forest Park. Our

Formed by Odebrecht TransPort, Invepar and CCR,

work has been monitored to avoid any risks to the plant

TransOlímpica will be responsible for implementing

and animal life,” says CCRB Production Manager Ju-

and operating the expressway through a 35-year con-

liano Penteado.

cession. TransOlímpica has contracted Odebrecht In-

The second part of the project is the responsibil-

fraestrutura, OAS and Andrade Gutierrez S.A. to build

ity of Consórcio Linha 4 Sul. A joint-venture contractor

the road works.

formed by Odebrecht Infraestrutura (leader), Carioca

The new route will be 13.1 km long, with two lanes in

Engenharia and Queiroz Galvão, it is building the stretch

each direction for cars and an exclusive BRT corridor for

between Gávea and the junction with General Osório

buses. In addition to bridges and overpasses, two tunnels will be built in each direction, with a total length of 3.1 km.

This BRL 1.7-billion project will break ground in 2012.

Carlos Prado, Odebrecht TransPort’s Regional Director for the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, observes: “Local residents will have an entirely new route they can use with safety, speed and comfort.”

Riding the rails The City Government is investing in urban mobility, and Rio de Janeiro State is also doing its part. By December 2015, it will have will invested USD 7.4 billion in the Rio Metro’s Line 4, which will connect General Osório Station in Ipanema to the last station on Line 1

24

informa

SuperVia Train: new rolling stock is gradually going into service

3

Tijuca

Recreio dos Bandeirantes

1

TransOeste

2

TransOlímpica

3

Metro Line 4

4

SuperVia

Aeroporto do Galeão

2

Avenida Brasil

a nsC Tra

rioc

a

rela ma ha A Lin

4

Santa Cruz Campo Grande

pic

a

1

Santos Dumont Airport

Center

Pedra de Guaratiba

Tra ns

Olí m

Sepetiba

Guaratiba

Recreio dos Bandeirantes

i

ro L

Met

este TransO

Jardim Oceânico

Barra da Tijuca

1 Station. On this section, they will use a convertible EPB TBM (earth pressure balanced convertible tunnel boring machine), which will start drilling the tunnel in 2013.

This is the first time a TBM will be used in Rio de Janeiro. It drills tunnels while simultaneously installing the concrete rings that support and line

2

ne 4

Jd. de General Alah Osório

Gávea

São Conrado

Copacabana

Antero de N. Sra. Quental da Paz

3

56-km route connecting Barra da Tijuca with Santa Cruz and Campo Grande.

Odebrecht Infraestrutura built 24 km between Barra da Tijuca and Pedra de Guaratiba.

13.1-km route linking Barra da Tijuca and Deodoro on a divided highway with 3 lanes in each direction , including a dedicated BRT lane.

Two tunnels in each direction with a total length of 3.1-km.

16 km between Barra da Tijuca and Ipanema, running through Gávea.

New trains, an ultra-modern operations control center, revamped stations and a new signaling system. Should reach 1 million passengers per day by 2016. Total investment: BRL 2.4 billion.

TransOeste

56-km route connecting Barra da Tijuca with Santa Cruz and Campo Grande. subsidiary Odebrecht Infraestrutura built 24 km between Barra da Tijuca and commuter Pedra de Guaratiba.

TransOlímpica

responsible for the rail network in the

Rio de Janeiro metropolitan

13.1-km route linking Barra da Tijuca is implementing a BRL region, and Deodoro on a divided highway with 3 lanes in each direction , 2.4-billion investment program in including a dedicated BRT lane.

Two tunnels in each direction partnership with the State Governwith a total length of 3.1-km.

ment. It plans to purchase 120 new trains,

them. “We will use this machine in sandy and rocky

Metro Line 4 16 km between 30 3 of which are gradually going into service, joining the

soils, such as those found in Ipanema and Leblon.

Gávea. currentrunning fleetthrough of 160 trains. Sixty more will be tendered

Without the TBM, we would have to dig trenches in the

by 4 theSuperVia end of the year. The remaining 30 will be pur-

sandy stretches, which would cause a major headache for local residents,” explains Marcos Vidigal, the Proj-

Barra da Tijuca and Ipanema,

New trains, an ultra-modern

control center, chasedoperations by 2015. revamped stations and a new

signaling system. Should In early 2012, SuperVia opened a new OCC equipped reach 1 million passengers

ect Director. “We’re going to do our level best to avoid

day by 2016. Total with aper modern communications system integrated investment: BRL 2.4 billion.

any inconveniences,” says Production Manager Aluísio

with the trains, which includes a digital dashboard that

Coutinho Júnior.

consolidates information from the entire rail network.

The company is currently installing a new signaling

SuperVia

system that will halve the train headway, reducing the

In the context of projects to improve the city’s trans-

interval of time between two trains boarded to three

portation system, SuperVia, the Odebrecht TransPort

minutes. In addition to the construction of three new stations, one of which opened in the first half of 2012, the 99 existing stations and infrastructure (tracks, overhead cables, stations and power substations) will undergo improvements. “The legacy of these sporting events will be high-quality rail transportation for the local population,” says Carlos José Cunha, President of SuperVia. The company plans to increase its transport capacity from the current 540,000 passengers per day to 1,000,000 by 2016.

According to Leandro Azevedo, the city is writing a new chapter in its history with regards to urban mobility: “Wherever you go, there is a major project underway. Each and every one is designed to transform the city once and for all.”

informa

25

26

winnin every single day

B

written by Eduardo Souza Lima photos by Rogério Reis

A partnership between the Brazilian Navy and Odebrecht grooms athletes and citizens 26

informa

orn on Caratateua Island in the Brazilian state of Pará, welterweight Wesley Paiva, 18, lost his father when he was 9 months old. He was a rebellious child. “I used to get into street fights. I was a real handful,” he says. His uncle Francisco, a former boxer, saw the ring as a way to calm his

nephew’s aggressive behavior. It changed Wesley’s life: “The sport made me disciplined, even in school,” he says. Wesley is now one of 18 athletes adopted by the Brazilian Navy/Odebrecht Olympic Project, based at the Admiral Adalberto Nunes Physical Education Center (CEFAN) in Rio de Janeiro. “Our goal is to prepare high-performing young athletes to represent this country at the Olympics. But going beyond those results, which are excellent, we are also

grooming future responsible adults who will serve as role models for other youths,” explains Marie Bendelac, the project’s coordinator. Wesley is not just another role model: he used the money from Odebrecht’s grant to help his uncle open a gym to put “wayward boys” – as Wesley describes himself in his younger days – on the right track.

In addition to boxing, the project provides support for weight-lifting and athletics. Rogério Nascimento da Silva, 16, was born in Rio’s Luiz Gustavo Ribeiro (on the right in this photo) and welterweight Wesley Paiva (in the smaller photo): seizing the chance to realize a dream

ing

Laranjeiras district and has been lifting weights since 2010. His father left home when he was 8 years old. “Now sports are my passion,” he emphasizes. Under-age athletes will receive the assistance they need to develop their skills. When they turn 18, they will leave the program to make way for other young people, and possibly join the Navy. Rogério has already made up his mind: “I want to be a Marine.”

The young athletes must be disciplined and respectful, get good grades in school and show excellent athletic performance. Rogério holds the Brazilian record in his class. Another precocious recordholder, Emily Rosa Figueiredo, 14, has dreamed of being an Olympic weightlifting champion since she was 6. “I’ve always liked a challenge,” she says. She has been getting good results since she began training: “I’ve broken three records in less than a month.” Sprinter Vitória Cristina Silva Rosa, 16, also comes from Rio and is as victorious as her name: she is the state champion and the runner-up in the Brazilian juvenile ranking in the 100m dash, with a time of 12.7 seconds. She is also an excellent student.

“Passion for fights” “I got into boxing because my father always had a passion for fights,” says Julio Cezar Sales Cardoso, 17, from Vila Velha, Espírito Santo. In 2010, he participated in the Espírito Santo trials for the national boxing championship. “I won the trials and the silver medal in the Brazilian tournament,” he says. Since he started training at CEFAN, the welterweight has become the Brazilian champion cadet and won a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Ecuador. The athletes receive grants ranging from one to three minimum monthly salaries (the minimum monthly salary is currently BRL 622). “My father left us when I was born, and my two brothers started working when they were young. Now I can help them,” says Renan Macedo da Costa, 18, from Barcarena, Pará. But it wasn’t easy to convince his mother that he had a future in boxing: “My first bout was on the sly,” he says. Today, the fly-weight is the national cadet champion.

Sprinter Luiz Gustavo dos Santos Ribeiro, 18, hails from Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, and is already a young father. The grant is helping him raise his son. He started running at school, and has an innate talent for the sport: “I was already getting good results before I started training. I was state champion in the School Olympics in the 100m sprint and Brazilian vice-champion in the relay.” Luiz comes from a large family: he has six siblings. Although he is sometimes homesick, he knows that the chance of a better future is within his grasp: “Athletics has opened doors for me,” he says. Bring in the Olympic medals.

informa

27

28 From left, Antonio Pessoa, Carlos Carvalho and Carlos Armando Paschoal, on the site where Ilha Pura will be built: urban planning and development

olympics Homes for heroes at the Rio

written by Perla Lima photos by AndrĂŠ Valentim

28

informa

The village that will house Olympic athletes in Rio in 2016 will arise from an innovative concept

T

he Athletes’ Village for the Olympic and Paralympic games that will be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 is based on an innovative concept for Brazil and the world. Unlike most “Olympic cities,” which are historically built in degraded areas in need of regeneration, Rio’s Athletes’ Village will be built in Ilha Pura, a

district that will be developed over the course of 15 years by the company of the same name. Ilha Pura is becoming a new sector of the Barra da Tijuca region, which is establishing itself as the biggest vector of growth for the state capital’s metropolitan area and the target of major investments in urban mobility. informa

29

Mário Cilenti: high standard of quality

“The creation of the Ilha Pura company, which will

Ilha Pura covers a 870,000-squ.m area, 247,000

the combination of the philosophy of action and expertise

sq.m of which are reserved for the construction of the

of Odebrecht Realizações Imobiliárias (Real Estate Devel-

Athletes’ Village. Carlos Armando Paschoal, CEO of

opments, OR) and Carvalho Hosken’s vision of develop-

Ilha Pura, points out that the project is a private in-

ment and perpetuity,” says the company’s CEO, Carlos

vestment and a unique challenge for Brazil. “This will

Armando Paschoal.

be the first time in this country that 31 towers have

Mário Cilenti, Director for Relations with the Olym-

been built with 17 floors each, divided into seven con-

pic and Paralympic Committee and the Olympic Village,

dominiums with full private infrastructure in just three

observes that the village will be a five-minute drive

and a half years. This involves dealing with quantities

from Olympic Park, where most of the events will take

that are similar to major infrastructure projects.” For

place, and its standards will conform to the upscale real

example, Carlos Armando explains that the volume of

estate market of Barra da Tijuca. “We have matched

concrete used on this project is equivalent to a dam,

the needs of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

and the number of workers on the construction site

with a commitment to sell these units,” says Mário. All

could reach 5,500. “We have the responsibility and

the 3,604 apartments to be used by 18,000 athletes will

unique opportunity to educate people and create inno-

be sold before the Olympics and delivered to end cus-

vative management systems for logistics and sustain-

tomers up to one year after the Games. “The great thing

ability,” he says.

is that we will use this new venture as a resort for the athletes, due to its high standard of quality.”

30

Thirty-one 17-story towers

transform this dream into a tangible fact, is the result of

As for the project’s legacy, Carlos Armando highlights Ilha Pura’s contribution to sustainable devel-

Antônio Pessoa, Regional Director of OR for Rio de

opment in Rio de Janeiro. “It contains a 65,000-sq.m

Janeiro, explains: “The challenge is to develop, sell and

public park with a 20,000-sq.m nursery built specifically

deliver a high-quality project on time while exceeding the

as part of the landscaping of the Athletes’ Village, de-

expectations of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic

signed by the firm of architect and landscape architect

Games and the athletes.” He adds: “The legacy for our cli-

Burle Marx.”

ents and buyers, the Ilha Pura district and Rio de Janeiro

Workers from the surrounding communities will

will be a project that combines sustainability, luxury and

have an opportunity to acquire job skills through the

quality of life.”

Acreditar (Believe) Ongoing Professional Education

Carlos Carvalho, President and CEO of Carvalho Hosken,

Program, and learn computer skills through the Hit the

observes that the Athletes’ Village is included in the future

Net program. Carlos Armando observes: “This project

center of the new city that is arising in Rio’s West Zone. “Ilha

is a model of quality and sustainability. This will be the

Pura will be a watershed in the urban development of Rio

best Athletes’ Village ever!” Antônio Pessoa firmly be-

de Janeiro, because it is being born as a planned neighbor-

lieves that, starting with the Athletes’ Village, the Ilha

hood while benefiting from the major infrastructure projects

Pura district “will be one of the best places to live in Rio

underway in the surrounding area.”

de Janeiro.”

informa

scoring high In Deodápolis, Mato Grosso do Sul,

Program participants playing volleyball in Deodápolis: activities for youth that stimulate mind and body

the Broto de Gente project offers tutoring, arts and IT classes and sports written by Guilherme Oliveira photos by Bruna Romaro

D

eodápolis is a small town in the westcentral Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. According to the 2011 Census, it is the state’s 46th-largest municipality in terms of population, which

is just over 12,000 inhabitants. Most of them make a living, directly or indirectly, from the operations that produce ethanol, electricity and sugar at ETH Bioenergy’s Eldorado Unit.

The creation of work and income opportunities is the company’s biggest contribution to local development, but a further initiative has drawn particular attention: the Broto de Gente (Young Sprouts)

31

project, which offers about 260 young people be-

tween the ages of 4 and 15 free tutoring in Por-

tuguese, math and a foreign language. Created in 2002 to take care of members’ children during their work shifts, Broto de Gente has grown to become a

major cultural and leisure option for young people in that town.

informa

31

The high demand from parents to get their chil-

Rodrigo Felix is a home-grown star who inspires

ily justified: in addition to those classes, it also of-

the younger kids. The son of ETH members, and a

fers courses and training in IT, art, theater, dance,

Broto de Gente student since the age of seven, he

capoeira, soccer and volleyball. Sports are the most

says that he was getting so much out of the project

popular activities. “The rule is simple: If you’re do-

that he convinced his parents to move from Nova Al-

ing well at school, you can play,” explains Riverton

vorada do Sul to Deodápolis. He told part of his story

Souza, the project’s Educational Coordinator. That

in issue no. 155 of Odebrecht Informa when he was

agreement is taken seriously. “We conduct quarterly

13: how much he enjoyed the soccer and computer

monitoring of each of the seven schools in the city

classes. “I wanted to be a soccer player, and Broto

and help guide the parents when necessary.” With-

de Gente was my best chance to do that. Riverton

out intending or wanting to replace the schools or

trusted me.” The coach and teacher started taking

the indispensable role of parents, Broto de Gente

the young man to try-outs at São Paulo clubs. Today,

has found that sports are a tool for educating and

at age 17, Rodrigo wears the jersey of the Osasco

grooming young people who value respect, disci-

Soccer Club, a team formed to discover young talent

pline and teamwork.

from all over Brazil. But the project’s rule is still the

“Over time, we’ve noticed an improvement in their

32

Making a dream come true

dren a hotly disputed place in the project is eas-

same: if you don’t study, you don’t play.

grades, but what impressed us the most was the

Like Rodrigo, many children and teens partici-

change of attitude in students participating in Broto

pating in Broto de Gente dream of making a living

de Gente. They know that whoever disrespects their

as professional athletes. One of them is Rafael Fer-

classmates or teachers will be off the team,” says

nandes, 11, better known as Rafinha. With the help

Célia Moraes, Principal of Scila Médici State School.

of Riverton and Rafinha’s brother Dernivaldo Ma-

informa

Rodrigo Félix (center): persistence and help in achieving his goal. Opposite, young dancers in action: a varied range of activities is one of the project’s main characteristics

noel, a member of ETH’s Eldorado Unit, the young

him. “I’m going to make friends and have a good

man has participated in starter team try-outs for the

time.” With a daily routine of training on the soccer

São Paulo Soccer Club, one of the most important

pitch and in the sand, as well as scoring exercises

squads in the country. In September, Rafinha will

and skill training, Rafinha does not hesitate when

spend another week at the club’s Training Center in

asked what else they teach him at Broto de Gente:

Cotia, São Paulo. The bus ride there will take over

“I’m learning to teach people to do good. Just like

12 hours. Despite his youth, the striker knows that

my family did at ETH, here I’m learning to serve oth-

not everyone gets to turn pro, but that doesn’t worry

ers and never give up.”

informa

33

INTERVIEW

legacy of THE GREATEST

B

written by Cláudio Lovato Filho photos by Holanda Cavalcanti and Mário Grisolli enedicto Barbosa da Silva Junior is an

Odebrecht Informa – Can you describe the process of

entrepreneur and soccer fan (“more like

preparing Odebrecht to participate in major sports

a fanatic”), but, above all, he is a Brazil-

arena projects? What were some of the major mile-

ian who knows his country well. At 51,

stones?

the CEO of Odebrecht Infraestrutura (In-

Benedicto Junior – In the late 1990s and early 2000s,

frastructure) is spearheading the com-

the leadership of Vasco da Gama and, somewhat

pany’s participation in a number of projects that are part

later, the Botafogo and Fluminense soccer clubs,

of Brazil’s preparations to host the two largest sporting

expressed their desire to build new stadiums. In the

events on the planet: the FIFA World Cup (in 2014) and

end, those projects did not go ahead. There were

the Rio Olympics (in 2016). As an entrepreneur, he feels

other initiatives, also in Rio, which ended up not go-

driven to participate in complex, innovative projects with

ing forward for Odebrecht. Until the city was chosen

a huge legacy, most of them long awaited, and therefore

to host the 2007 Pan American Games, that is. We

challenging. As a sports fan, he is happy to experience

took charge of the restoration of the Maracanã and

first-hand the process of constructing large arenas (in-

Maracanãzinho stadium complex. And later on, also

cluding his beloved club’s stadium), which he says could

in the context of works for those games, we were

play a role in modernizing the management of Brazilian

contracted to install the smart building systems and

soccer. As a citizen, Benedicto Junior is confident – more

finish constructing João Havelange Olympic Stadi-

than that, he is convinced – that his country will host the

um, or Engenhão, as the locals have affectionately

most joyful and exciting World Cup and Olympics in recent

dubbed it. On that project we faced the challenge of

memory. Their greatest legacy? “Proving to ourselves that

finishing the stadium in record time, seven months,

we are capable of such accomplishments as a people”:

after replacing the joint-venture contractor that was

the legacy of increased Brazilian self-esteem.

in charge of the infrastructure works. The biggest challenge was installing the roof arches in that very

34

34

informa

short timeframe. The joint venture that was leaving the project had completed 25% of that stage in 15 months, and we would have seven months to deliver the remaining 75%. With our contribution, Engenhão was listed [by the British magazine SportBusi-

ness] as one of the top 10 sports facilities built in the world in 2007. Our participation in those works for the Pan American Games resulted in a tremendous engineering asset for Odebrecht. Our experience on Engenhão was an important milestone in our history of building major arenas.

all Benedicto Junior: proving the Brazilian people’s capacity to host major events

informa

35

OI – Could you sum up the current status of the

south and north. In Bahia, the rebirth of Fonte Nova

four stadiums Odebrecht is building or renovating

Arena will bring about the regeneration of a social and

for the 2014 World Cup: Maracanã and the Corin-

historical asset that has what it takes to add value to

thians, Pernambuco and Fonte Nova arenas? What

Bahia’s most important exports to the rest of Brazil,

percentage of progress is each project making?

going beyond soccer: its unique culture and popular

Benedicto Junior – The projects in São Paulo and

music concerts. Fonte Nova Arena will be a new en-

Pernambuco are more than 40% done. In Rio and

tertainment hub for Salvador’s residents. In Rio, you

Bahia, they are over 50% complete. After breaking

could say we have the most iconic of all these ongo-

ground, we faced an additional challenge in Rio

ing initiatives: refurbishing Maracanã, which opened

de Janeiro, Pernambuco and Bahia: in 2011 those

during the 1950 World Cup, when it served as a dem-

three stadiums joined the list of venues for the

onstration of Brazil’s capacity to undertake complex

Confederations Cup to be held in 2013. That sig-

engineering and construction works. Through this

nificantly reduced the deadlines for those projects

revitalization project, Maracanã will certainly become

by 12 months on average, but everything is run-

a byword for comfort, safety and advanced technol-

ning on schedule. Work on the Corinthians Arena

ogy, in line with the stricter requirements of the 21st

is going like gangbusters. We are working with the

century. Furthermore, the area around this stadium,

BNDES (National Economic and Social Develop-

which will also host Olympic events, will be the target

ment Bank) and the Bank of Brazil to conclude the

of a number of investments that will transform the

financial engineering for that project, which is the

local scene in terms of urban mobility and housing,

only one with funding still pending.

among other things, integrating this historic giant into its surroundings.

OI – Arena construction projects have to go beyond

36

the stadiums themselves. You must take the sur-

OI – As we both well know, soccer is more than

rounding area into account as well. Rio, São Paulo,

just a sport in Brazil. It is a national passion and

Recife and Salvador are four major cities whose daily

a factor that helps define an identity. You are not

lives are replete with challenges. How will the con-

only an entrepreneur who heads arena construc-

struction of these arenas benefit those communities?

tion projects but a soccer fan. In your opinion,

Benedicto Junior – The arenas alone are important

what will be the future impact of the era this

assets for their communities, but the highlight is the

country is currently experiencing – the construc-

legacy of social integration they will bring in their

tion of major sports arenas in several cities?

wake. Take Corinthians Arena for example. The Ita-

What sort of changes could this bring about?

quera neighborhood, where it is being built, is very

Benedicto Junior – The current era for Brazilian

needy. I have no doubt that we can divide the history

soccer leads to important reflections: first, about

of that neighborhood and the surrounding region

new ways to build arenas, but more than that, about

into “before” and “after” the arena. Previously, no in-

the participation of private enterprise in the design

vestments had been made in Itaquera, but now the

and management of these arenas. Club directors

arena will bring about profound changes due to the

and supporters who do not have the privilege of up-

improved transport infrastructure, increased prop-

grading their “home” may ask: why doesn’t my club

erty values, and the arrival of businesses, shops and

have a modern arena? What are we missing out on?

service providers. Today land values in the region

But this is only the initial reflection, because deep-

have gone up something like 50%. The situation in

er issues are coming to light. The construction of

Pernambuco is different, but the prospects are just

new arenas has led to the discovery of new forms

as encouraging. There, thanks to the government’s

of management, not only for the physical facili-

modern and bold vision, Cidade da Copa (World Cup

ties but the clubs themselves. It has led to greater

City) will become a new vector of development for

professionalism. We are gradually approaching the

Greater Recife and the interior of the state, which will

reality of European clubs, which can sell tickets to

join the current vectors in the coastal regions to the

their games for this year and the next. The pres-

informa informa

“The 2016 Olympics are the main goal of the transformations underway in Rio today. The city will get an even more comprehensive and appropriate urban transport system”

in that state, such as Rio International Airport, Angra Nuclear Power Plant No. 1, the headquarters buildings of Petrobras and BNDES and the Rio Sul Complex, among many others. In 1993, when many companies were leaving Rio, Construtora Norberto Odebrecht moved its headquarters there. We came here to be closer to some of our major clients, such as Petrobras, Furnas and Eletrobrás, whose headquarters were located here. We have always believed in this city and its power to overcome challenges, its ability to get back on its feet. We came here to stay, and because of that we have developed a long, productive and you could even say affectionate relationship with Rio de Janeiro.

OI – What are the highlights of that relationship nowadays?

Benedicto Junior – The 2016 Olympics are the main goal of the transformations underway in Rio today. As a result, the city will offer an even more comprehensive and appropriate urban transport system. One of the first improvements in this area is the 56-km TransOeste express bus corridor between Barra da Tijuca and Santa Cruz, in the West Zone of the city. We will soon begin work on the TransOlímpica corridor, a new route linking Rec-

ence of private enterprise is helping modernize

reio dos Bandeirantes and Deodoro, with dedicat-

the clubs’ management. New leaders are coming

ed lanes for the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system.

in with new ideas and a fresh way of looking at old

Then there’s the expansion of the Metro, which is

problems. Brazilian soccer must not miss this op-

advancing in four directions – from Barra to São

portunity. It’s a win-win relationship.

Conrado, from São Conrado to Barra and Gávea, and from Ipanema to Gávea – through more than

OI – Rio de Janeiro is not only hosting World Cup

2,200m of tunnels that have already been built,

matches (including the final game) but the Olym-

and will be completed when more projects in Ip-

pics as well. The city is already making profound

anema and Leblon are up and running. Another

changes in its infrastructure. Odebrecht is play-

major challenge is the ongoing modernization of

ing a prominent role in preparing the city for the

the commuter rail system, a project carried out

two biggest sporting events on the planet. How did

jointly by the State Government and SuperVia, a

Odebrecht prepare itself to make this contribu-

subsidiary of Odebrecht TransPort. This is defi-

tion? How did the historical relationship between

nitely Odebrecht’s biggest challenge in Brazil. But

the Group and Rio de Janeiro help in all that?

it must be said that the works being built for the

Benedicto Junior – To start with, Odebrecht began

2016 Olympics will be remembered, above all, for

its national expansion in Rio de Janeiro. It was born

the regeneration and urban renewal of the dock-

in Recife, grew up in Salvador, and became a state-

lands through the Porto Maravilha project, led by

wide company in Bahia, then regionalized in the

the City of Rio and the result of the biggest urban

Northeast and went on to establish a national pres-

PPP (Public Private Partnership) underway in this

ence, starting in Rio de Janeiro. It built major works

country.

informa

37

“It’s no good

the city for the loss of its status as the federal capi-

having a perfectly

extraordinary events the city will host and the major

organized World

in a significant improvement in quality of life for local

Cup if it is unable

on the path of sustainable development.

to convey the

tal. That opportunity has come about through the requirements they have generated. This will result residents and a new impetus that will keep the city

OI – In short, why is it a good deal for a country to host a World Cup? And why is it worthwhile for a

thrill that people

city to host the Olympics?

want, deserve

cause it gives the country an opportunity to show

and must have

extraordinary projects. For Brazil, I am convinced

when they visit our country”

Benedicto Junior – It is worthwhile, especially beitself and the world that it is capable of building that the greatest legacy of the World Cup and the Olympics is this: to prove to ourselves that we are capable of such accomplishments as a people.

The greatest legacy will be the Brazilian people’s increased self-esteem.

OI – Will Brazil be prepared to host the World Cup and the Olympics flawlessly?

Benedicto Junior – The World Cup and the Olympics will be flawless, yes, but we will do it our way. I think everything can be summed up by something I heard from experts in major international events: “Germany held the most organized event on the planet

OI – You always say that Odebrecht “believed in

[the 2006 World Cup] and Brazil will hold the hap-

the Olympic dream” of Rio de Janeiro...

piest event on the planet.” We will host the happiest

Benedicto Junior – Yes, we’ve always believed

[FIFA World] Cup of all time, the most joyful. It’s no

in the success of this project, the realization of

good having a perfectly organized Cup if it is unable

this dream. Plus, I’ve always believed that the

to convey the thrill that people want, deserve and

choice of Rio to host the Olympics is, somehow,

must have when they visit our country. Let’s hold a

a form of reparations to the city on the nation-

Cup where Brazilians and tourists alike feel happy

al level, and worldwide recognition of Brazil’s

because they are enjoying an experience that goes

“calling card.”

beyond taking part in a major event. We want to give people much more than that, and we will succeed.

OI – Reparations? How so?

38

Benedicto Junior – When, after two centuries,

OI – Here is a question for Benedicto Junior the

Rio ceased to be the capital of Brazil in the early

soccer fan: Will Brazil become a six-time cham-

1960s, nothing was done to compensate the city

pion in the 2014 World Cup?

for the losses it would suffer as a result. There

Benedicto Junior – Yes we will! It’s impossible to

wasn’t a plan. Rio began to undergo a process

work on the Maracanã project and see everything

of economic and political decline. Fortunately,

that is being done and not visualize Brazil play-

this process has begun to be remedied in recent

ing at the Cup final there, and winning. We have to

years. But it still needed a plan to compensate

erase the memory of 1950!

informa informa

CONTEST

CAPTURING CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE

The photos by Carolina Almeida de Souza and (below) Anderson Munhoz: first prize in the Camera and Cell Phone categories, respectively

See the winners of Odebrecht Informa’s Sports in Focus photo contest written by Emanuella Sombra

T

he subject? Sports. The tools? A camera or cell phone. More than 60 amateur photographers took part in the Sports in Focus con-

test organized by Odebrecht Informa, which set the following challenge: in one shot, Group members should show how different kinds of sports drive the communities where they live and work.

Carolina Almeida de Souza, from Odebrecht

Four members received honorable mention:

Energia, won first prize in the Camera category

Alex da Silva Guedes and Julian de Paula Santos,

with her photo of stand-up paddlers in Copaca-

from Odebrecht Infraestrutura in Rio, Olavo de

bana: “The sport is catching on in the city and it

Pinho, from Foz do Brazil in Itapemirim, Espírito

is quite common to see paddlers on weekends,”

Santo, and Lauren Pereira, the only participant to

says Carolina, who works in Rio de Janeiro. Lau-

have two photos chosen by the judges.

ren Pereira, from Odebrecht International in

The judging committee included Marco Antônio

Guinea-Conakry, and Erick Marcel Carvalho, from

Antunes, Responsible for Communication for the

Odebrecht Infraestrutura in Marabá, Paraná, Bra-

Corinthians Arena project, Sérgio Bourroul, Re-

zil, were respectively the second- and third-prize

sponsible for Press Relations at Odebrecht S.A.,

winners.

Odebrecht Informa Photo Editor Holanda Caval-

Another photo sums up how strength and unity

canti and photographer Rubens Fernandes Ju-

go together when working as a team. “I saw a

nior, Director of the Armando Álvares Penteado

group of athletes exercising on the beach in Rio

Foundation (FAAP) School of Communication and

de Janeiro. Each of them depended on the other to

Marketing.

keep their balance,” explains Anderson Munhoz,

You can read the stories behind the winning

from Odebrecht Infraestrutura, who also works

photos in a report that will published in the on-

in Rio and was the winner in the Cell Phone cat-

line edition of Odebrecht Informa. You will also

egory. José Marcelo de Oliveira, from Foz do Bra-

be able to see the winners in both categories and

sil in Limeira, São Paulo, and Francisco da Cunha

four honorable mentions - plus a selection of the

Melo, from Odebrecht Infraestrutura in Rio, won

photos submitted.

second and third prize in that category.

Just log onto www.odebrechtonline.com.br

informa

39

Screen shot

COMMUNICATION

“Odebrecht at the Cup”: journalists use the website as a source of information

EYE ON THE prIZE

Fact sheets, news, photos, online cameras and videos can all be found on the website for the four arenas being built or refurbished to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup written by Júlio César Soares

T 40

he construction and refur-

newspapers and specialized web-

Communication at Odebrecht In-

bishing of the venues that

sites. “To enhance our image as

fraestrutura (Infrastructure).

will host the opening and fi-

a result of this major exposure, it

This observation led to the cre-

nal games of the 2014 FIFA World

became clear to us that we needed

ation of the “Odebrecht at the Cup”

Cup (Corinthians Arena and Mara-

to set up consolidated Communi-

website. Created in the first half

canã Stadium, respectively) as well

cation programs that would give

of 2011, it offers fact sheets, news

as the Fonte Nova and Pernambuco

an added boost to initiatives al-

items, photos, and online camera

arenas have made Odebrecht a fre-

ready underway at each of the four

and video feeds from all four sta-

quent name in the Brazilian media,

arenas,” says Antonio Carlos de

diums in a single database. “Each

particularly the sports pages of

Faria, the officer Responsible for

project has its own Communication

informa

40

program but through this website

the last hour of pictures,” explains

we can offer information seam-

Ana Carolina.

lessly while spotlighting the impor-

But that’s not all. The website

tant role of Odebrecht Infraestru-

will also feature 360-degree pho-

tura and its partners,” explains

tos and a quiz with prizes for the

Antonio Carlos.

highest scores: invitations to visit the jobsite. “All this encourages

lion page views later, the “Ode-

greater interaction with visitors

brecht at the Cup” site already has

and more participation from our

a few historic milestones under

users. The goal is to provide fresh

its belt, such as the augmented reality view of Maracanã. Using a webcam and a printed code, fans can take virtual tours of one of the world’s most famous stadiums.

photo: Carlos Júnior

Almost a year and over 1.6 mil-

content all the time,” says Ana Carolina.

Flow of information Feeding the site with content

Pictures of the implosion of the old Fonte Nova Stadium, which were particular moving for fans of the Bahia soccer club, are another highlight. The scale model for the Corinthians Arena, which had over 300,000 views in one week, is still a major attraction. “The website conveys the message of technical expertise and concern for the community, which is essential to enabling the general public to learn more about Odebrecht,” ar-

requires fast and careful work

“The website conveys the message of

Journalists often use informa-

are the objects of intense passions and have many stories to tell. “We often send information to ‘Ode-

technical

brecht at the Cup,’ and answer

expertise and

explains Ana Luiza Dornelas, a

concern for the

na project’s Communication team.

community”

gues Antonio Carlos. tion from the site in their reports.

from the people responsible for covering the four stadiums, which

the team’s requests immediately,” member of the Pernambuco Are“In addition to immediately posting important breaking news, we also try to deal with all the Internet us-

Antonio Carlos de Faria

ers’ requests,” adds Marco Antonio Antunes, the officer Responsible

“It’s the easiest and fastest way to

for Communication for the Corin-

clear up technical questions about

thians Arena project.

these projects,” says Leandro

“We also publish news about

Canônico, a reporter from globoe-

In June, some of the news was

other events, such as visits from

sporte.com. According to Carlos

about the website itself. “We now

FIFA delegations, social activi-

Hermanny, Odebrecht Infraestru-

have a new layout and cameras,

ties and interactive content on

tura’s Executive Director for the

so we can give even better service

the site,” says Carine Aprile, the

2014 World Cup, that is precisely

to our visitors,” says Ana Carolina

officer Responsible for Commu-

what the site was designed to do:

Martins, the Odebrecht Infraestru-

nication for the Fonte Nova Arena

“Providing more information than

tura Communication team’s officer

project. Igor Lamy, the officer Re-

the media does, with a focus on vi-

Responsible for the site. Positioned

sponsible for Communication at

sual information of a technical na-

at each construction site, the cam-

Maracanã, says: “The ‘Odebrecht

ture.” He adds: “This enables fans

eras take pictures from 7 am to 7

at the Cup’ site is an important

to learn more about the stadiums

pm. “We will have a one-hour de-

tool for publishing information, as

and see that they are the result of

lay for easier navigation, and after

well as sharing expertise with the

hard work and dedication.”

8 pm, visitors can watch a loop of

other projects.”

informa

41

Revamping Maracanã: a new stage in the life of Rio’s legendary stadium

42

arena Hearts in the

The Corinthians Arena and MaracanĂŁ Stadium will host the beginning and end of an event that will rally the world in 2014

42

informa

F

written by Luiz Carlos Ramos

photos by Américo Vermelho (Maracanã) and Yann Vadaru (Corinthians Arena)

or two days in 2014, half the world will have its eyes

In addition to participating in these two projects, Odebrecht

glued to stadiums in two of Brazil’s largest cities:

Infraestrutura (Infrastructure) teams are also active in the con-

the future Corinthians Arena in São Paulo and the

struction of two more stadiums for the FIFA World Cup: the Fonte

refurbished Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Nova Arena in Salvador and the Pernambuco Arena in the Recife

In addition to the crowds in the stands, approxi-

region which, like Maracanã, will also host Confederations Cup

mately 3.5 billion people from more than 200 countries will watch

matches in June 2013.

the opening of the World Cup on television, scheduled for June

Brazil is watching. So is the world. And they are all asking the

12 in São Paulo, and a similar number of viewers will watch the

same question: will they be ready in time? Odebrecht Informa

final, to be held in Rio de Janeiro’s giant stadium on July 13. Both

visited the Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador and Recife stadi-

facilities, which symbolize the talent of Brazilian soccer stars and

ums and spoke to leaders and team members who already had

the country’s passion for the most popular sport on the planet,

the answer: yes, the projects will be completed within the time-

are being constructed and renovated day and night at an acceler-

frames. And not just that, as they will also be contributing to the

ated pace, reinforcing the World Cup’s predicted success.

emergence of new paradigms in the construction of large sports

informa

43

arenas in the country. In this article you will find out more

Paulo Falcão explains that he recently went to the

about people who are transforming the dream of a rejuve-

Netherlands to visit the modern Amsterdam ArenA: “We

nated Maracanã and a newly built Corinthians Arena into a

will be able to do the same thing here that is happening

reality, ready to host passionate and faithful supporters.

there. As soon as a concert ends, they put the grass back in the stage area and it is ready for a soccer game.” Fal-

A refurbished stage for the final

cão toured the Dutch arena alongside Carlos Alberto Tor-

In 2014 Maracanã will be almost nothing like the stadium

res, captain of the Brazil team that won the World Cup in

that hosted the 1950 World Cup. Its glorious 60-year history,

Mexico in 1970.

with photos and relics of the great stars and unforgettable soccer classics, will be displayed in a museum next to the stadium, which is being prepared to become one of the most modern and comfortable of its kind in the world. “The changes are both radical and necessary,” explains Project Director Paulo Falcão Correa Filho. “The end result will be a beautiful stadium seating 79,500 people; a multi-purpose arena.” More than 5,000 people are working on these construction projects on a daily basis.

The project is the responsibility of a joint-venture contractor formed by Odebrecht Infraestrutura (leader) and Andrade Gutierrez. The State Government, which owns Maracanã, is the client, through the State of Rio Public Works Companies (Emop), whose President, Ícaro Moreno, visits the jobsite every day. The stadium was closed to soccer two years ago. Ícaro predicts: “Despite the time that has already been dedicated to seeking a solution for covering the stands, the work will be completed by the beginning of 2013. The hardest 55% has been completed; there’s 45% left to go.”

Project Manager Carlos Bernardo Zaeyen, who has played an active role in the project from the start, also worked on the revamp of Maracanã for the 2007 Pan American Games. He agrees with Paulo Falcão’s and Ícaro Moreno’s optimistic forecasts, announcing a new and important stage: the installation of a cover for the stands.

“The plan was to maintain the old marquee and widen it with a steel extension, but it became clear that the structure had deteriorated over the years and would have to be demolished,” Zaeyen informs. “The marquee was demolished and now a concrete ring is being installed. Steel rods will emerge from it to hold up the cover, which is made of special resistant fabric.”

Characters in a beautiful story Zaeyen and Falcão ride up to the highest level in an elevator from where all of the work on the upper and lower stands and in the surrounding areas can be seen, with Mount Corcovado, a symbol of Rio, in the background.

The lower stairway will be closer to the pitch, and the plastic seats will soon be installed.

44

informa

Clockwise from top, Arnaldo Cambraia and Almir Fontenele in the Stadium Radio studio; Fluminense fan Raquel Souza da Silva; workers watching co-workers play ball at the Itaquera jobsite; and Flamengo fan Carla de Jesus Arthur: people who are making the new Maracanã Stadium and Corinthians Arena a reality

Mário Jorge Lobo Zagallo, twice-champion on the pitch and the team’s coach for its third world championship, was moved by his recent participation at the monthly Breakfast with the Leader meeting at the Maracanã. It involves inviting a famous soccer star for an informal discussion with 13 workers with different responsibilities at the site, as well as Paulo Falcão and Carlos Zaeyen. “It has been a good way of encouraging dialogue between the leaders and other team members and for developing unity and team spirit. Former players Zico and Roberto Dinamite have also taken part in the Breakfast with the Leader meeting,” says Falcão.

Flamengo fan and Rio de Janeiro native Carla de Jesus Arthur, 27, was one of the most enthusiastic Odebrecht members there. She was thrilled at the presence of these great stars from the past at the Maracanã construction site. A former soccer player, Carla has been working as a welder for the past year. “I have soccer in my blood. I was a defender at Madureira, São Cristóvão and Botafogo and I played next to Marta on the 2000 Brazil team.”

Production Assistant Elisângela Soares supports Vasco da Gama, the archrivals of Carla’s team. She is clearly emotional when talking about her job. “I never thought that one day I would take part in this beautiful project. It is a question of destiny.” Carpenter Joaquim de Oliveira, a Vasco and Corinthians fan, is working on the base for the cover. He guarantees: “If it depends on the new Maracanã, the World Cup will be an enormous success.”

Raquel Souza da Silva, 19, from Rio de Janeiro, shows off her headgear, which has a Fluminense crest attached

informa

45

to it. “I love soccer and Fluminense. My Dad, Francisco, works here as a foreman. And I help him count the workers’ hours.” And what about Botafogo? Yes, the club which unveiled Garrincha at Maracanã is also represented at the

Coming into being: the Corinthians Arena, the backdrop of the opening game of the 2014 World Cup, is rapidly taking shape

construction site: the passionate Botafogo fans include leaders Paulo Falcão and Carlos Zaeyen.

Where the ball will roll first When it is completed in December 2013, the Corinthians Arena will have set several records, thanks, above all, to the unison between the client, the contractor and the federal, state and municipal governments. This is lucky for the Corinthians club, who are now seeing a 100-year old dream come true. The main record set: construction speed. The inauguration of the stadium, which will seat up to 48,000 people and will also be the center stage for the opening of the 2014 World Cup with 68,000 seats (thanks to the installation of removable stands for 20,000 people), will take place a little more than two and a half years after the first Odebrecht workers broke ground in the Itaquera district. The city of São Paulo, the host for this great event, is very lucky indeed.

On May 30, 2012, the work team stopped for a few moments to celebrate the first anniversary of the beginning of construction in the Itaquera district in the East Zone of São

project. Everyone wants to know how the Corinthians Arena

Paulo. Soon afterward, and with the same enthusiasm,

is progressing. The answer is simple: it is going really well.”

each member went back to work to erect the stands that

Architect Jorge Borja represents Corinthians. “The se-

are already gaining shape. They are working at a speed that

cret here is everyone’s involvement, as we are all on the

will guarantee fulfillment of the deadline for Odebrecht,

same team, seeking solutions.” Frederico Barbosa has

the only company working on this project. Forty percent of

been at the site since the first shovel dug into the ground

the project had been completed by June.

at Itaquera a little over a year ago. There are photos of the

The 198,000-sq.m area where the stadium is being

scale model of the stadium and a poster in his office: “Here

constructed is located next to metro and train stations. The

we sit at the same table, eat the same food and wear the

project was designed by the architects Aníbal Coutinho and

same jersey: team Odebrecht Infraestrutura.” Accus-

Antonio Paulo Cordeiro of Coutinho, Diegues, Corteiro/

tomed to building tunnels, railroads and subways, he had

DDG. The Corinthians club’s current president, Mário Gob-

a surprise when he arrived at the stadium site to get the

bi, and vice president, Luiz Paulo Rosenberg, are informed

project started. “I had to give interviews to dozens of TV and

about the project’s status on a daily basis.

radio stations, newspapers and magazines.”

Sitting in his office at the construction site, Project Director Antonio Roberto Gavioli observes that the close relation-

46

Barcelama, Ruimadri...

ship between the partners has contributed to the acceler-

Fred, as he is known, is proud of saying that “the ball

ated pace of the arena’s construction. “The setting in this

has already started rolling” at the World Cup Arena. The

office helps, because I’m working side by side with Corin-

Mini Brazilian Championship began on May 21, involving 40

thians and FIFA representatives.” The Operations Manager,

society soccer teams. Each team has six workers from the

Frederico Barbosa, is in the office next door. “I am always

jobsite and the final will be held on December 3. Among the

talking to the workers in the construction areas, at breakfast

teams are Barcelama, Ruimadrid, Os Ronaldos, Marteleiros

meetings and also at the Daily Safety Dialogues, which are

and Os Ferraduras. The gray synthetic pitch – avoiding the

held at the start of each of the three shifts” he says, add-

green of Palmeiras, Corinthians’ archrival – which is next to

ing: “I can see how proud everyone is of this high-visibility

the recreation sector called Warrior’s Corner, is the location

informa

for the late-afternoon matches which receive a commen-

work but it has been really good to be a part of all of this,”

tary from the internal radio station.

he says. Another supervisor, Valentim Valeretto, from Bi-

There is a real radio station at the site, called Stadium

rigui, São Paulo State, agrees: “If there was any doubt, all

Radio. It is run by an engineer, the Sustainability Manager,

of this confirms the fact that the stadium will be ready.”

Antonio Pigat Zuchowski, and two commentators – safety

The words painted on a nearby wall reflect this state of

technician Almir Fontenele and environmental engi-

mind: “The 2014 World Cup starts here.”

neer Arnaldo Cambraia. Almir, who is from the state of

Carlos Hermanny Filho, Odebrecht Infraestrutura’s

Piauí and worked in radio in his home town of Piracuru,

Executive Director for the 2014 World Cup, observes:

explains: “The radio station operates 24 hours a day and

“The Cup is a unique event, and building a project in this

can be heard in the site’s common social areas, such as

context requires the harmonious participation of a large

the cafeteria, with music and information, as well as com-

number of key actors, such as the government, FIFA, in-

mentary on our championship matches.”

vestors, banks, the Local Organizing Committee (COL),

The Itaquera project currently involves 1,820 workers

suppliers, NGOs, trade unions, supervisory bodies, and

from 22 states. Almir’s Piauí is represented by 218 work-

the public in general. This has required patience, flexibil-

ers, second only to São Paulo, which has 373 from that

ity and determination from the Odebrecht teams involved

state. Of the 250 who completed the Acreditar (Believe)

in the event.”

Ongoing Professional Education Program, 81 have been

According to Hermanny, in this context, delivering the

hired and are still working at the site. Most are Corin-

Corinthians Arena for the opening of the World Cup and

thians supporters but there are also São Paulo, Palmei-

Maracanã Stadium for its closing game, while making the

rense and Santos fans...

construction of the Pernambuco and Bahia arenas fea-

Francisco das Chagas Lopes, from the state of Paraí-

sible through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), has in-

ba, is better known as Supervisor Pará. He has worked

volved tremendous challenges. They became even bigger

for Odebrecht for 38 years and organized the first work-

following the decision (taken in 2011) to include three of

ers mobilized in Itaquera. He smiles as he points out the

these arenas on the list of host sites for the FIFA Confed-

stands which have already been erected. “It was a lot of

erations Cup in June 2013.

informa

47

homes

FOR SPORTS. THE ARTS. AND CULTURE. AND MORE...

The Fonte Nova and Pernambuco arenas will go beyond soccer to host major national and international events for business, edification and pleasure written by Jo達o Paulo Carvalho photos by Arthur Ikishima (Fonte Nova) and Lia Lubambo (Pernambuco Arena) A multipurpose venue: the Fonte Nova Arena will also host concerts, exhibitions and conferences

48

informa

48

T

he President Dutra Bridge between

Juazeiro

and

The club has already signed a Memorandum of

Petrolina

Understanding with Fonte Nova Negócios e Par-

is not the only link between the

ticipações (FNP) – a Special Purpose Company

northeastern Brazilian states of

(SPC) formed by Odebrecht Participações e In-

Pernambuco and Bahia. Their

vestimentos (Holdings and Investments) and OAS,

passion for soccer and prospects of hosting one of

which was contracted by the State of Bahia to build

world’s most spectacular sporting events are new

and operate Fonte Nova Arena for 35 years – con-

ties that bind these two Brazilian states.

firming their intention to hold their games at the

On October 30, 2007, FIFA President Sepp Blat-

new stadium. FNP has also been in contact with

ter announced that Brazil would host the 2014

the Vitória Sports Club, which has not decided

World Cup. The country already knew it would be

whether it will also be using the facility.

chosen, because the other competitors had withdrawn their bids, but after the official announce-

Unprecedented operation

ment was made, the explosion of joy in the streets

Salvador began to live and breathe the event

could have been for a goal in a championship final.

when it saw the old stadium being demolished to

In fact, championship finals are a familiar situ-

make way for the new arena. The implosion, which

ation for fans of the great teams of Salvador and

took place on August 29, 2010, required 700 kilos

Recife, respectively the state capitals of Bahia and

of explosives, and some 1,300 professionals were

Pernambuco. The numbers prove it. While the Ba-

in charge of the details of an unprecedented op-

hia Sports Club has the most fans in the North-

eration for that city. All told, 2,467 people, includ-

east, according to an Ibope poll commissioned in

ing residents and local merchants, were evacu-

January by Lance! magazine, the matches of Re-

ated from 962 buildings between 7 am and noon

cife’s Santa Cruz club have the highest average at-

that day to contribute to the project’s success. And

tendance in Brazil, even when the team was only

it was so successful that the Fonte Nova Arena’s

playing in the Third Division. Last February, in a

PR and marketing team garnered the 2011 Aberje

match for the Pernambuco championship against

Prize for the North and Northeast in the Press Re-

Sport Recife – which has the largest fan base in

lations category.

the state – no less than 45,109 supporters turned

Some of the 77,000 tonnes of concrete from the

out to cheer for Santa Cruz and see their team be-

original Fonte Nova stadium have been turned into

come this year’s state champion.

sculptures at the hands of Bahian artist Bel Borba.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is coming to crown

Creatively using twisted iron mixed with cement, he

Brazil’s passion for soccer. The sports arenas

transformed them into works of art that were exhib-

under construction are a dream come true for

ited from January to March this year at the Rodin

millions of fans from Bahia and Pernambuco. In

Bahia museum in Salvador. Other bits of concrete

addition to their pride in hosting an event of that

were sold as souvenirs at the Fonte Nova Arena Visi-

magnitude, these stadiums are a chance to boost

tors’ Center to support the Sister Dulce Social Works

the development of their state capitals through the

(OSID) charity. However, most of the debris resulting

urban renewal and new business opportunities

from the implosion has been recycled and reused in

that will come in the wake of the multi-purpose

the construction of the new arena and other infra-

facilities that are under construction. Their legacy.

structure works underway in Salvador.

Bahia supporter Alisson Jones says: “The feel-

In Pernambuco, the new arena will be the re-

ing is profound joy because we’re going back to our

sult of a project that started from scratch. The

‘melting pot,’ which is Fonte Nova Stadium. Now Ba-

land was already owned by the State Government,

hia will be able to play at home again, surrounded by

which held a tender for the project according to

all the history the club has lived in this arena. I’ve got

FIFA’s specifications. The Recife metropolitan re-

nothing against Pituaçu Stadium, but there’s nothing

gion rejoiced in late May when FIFA confirmed that

better than watching Bahia at the Fonte (‘Source’).”

it would be hosting the Confederations Cup, which

informa

49

Clockwise from top, the Pernambuco Arena under construction; Bahia fan Alisson Jones at the Fonte Nova Arena; shift supervisor José Rosano and assistant electrician Thiago da Cunha José at the Pernambuco Arena: future venues of major sporting and entertainment events

will be held in June 2013 at six of the 12 host cities for the World Cup. Work on the arenas is going on at an energetic pace. Fonte Nova in Salvador has already exceeded the 62% mark, while Recife’s arena is already 43% complete and stepping up hiring. Both projects are at the peak of construction. Fonte Nova Arena has 3,300 workers, while the Pernambuco Arena had 4,000 by the end of June. The first shift begins promptly at 7 am and the last ends after 4 am the next day.

According to Alexandre Chiavegatto, Project Director for the Fonte Nova Arena joint-venture contractor: “Our goal is to finish the project by December this year, six months before the Confederations Cup, enough time to carry out all the tests required before the games begin.”

On May 30, FIFA announced the schedule for the matches and confirmed that the Brazil side will play at least one game in Salvador. Recife may host Spain’s national team, the current world champions.

50

informa informa

Soccer and shows In Bahia, the new arena will also provide a venue for major shows and concerts, something Salvador had been lacking. Many major events have bypassed the city for lack of a facility with suitable infrastructure. Therefore, Fonte Nova Arena will feature 50,000 covered seats, 70 boxes seating 1,250 people, 2,100 VIP seats and 94 toilets, including 23 for people with special needs. It will also offer a convention center, restaurants with panoramic views of green spaces and Dique do Tororó lagoon – one of Salvador’s most scenic spots – a cultural space, 39 food stands, a press area, 2,000 parking spots, bicycle racks and plenty of room for the public to circulate.

According to Dênio Sidreira, President of Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador is about to get a multipurpose facility that will put it in a prominent position on the national scene. “As of 2013, the city will be able to host major cultural events, such as concerts, exhibitions, seminars and conferences, and provide a new option for smaller gatherings, like graduation ceremonies and weddings, as well as housing a museum of sports and culture. It is a paradigm shift in how to organize and host events in a vibrant city like Salvador,” he observes.

To ensure the venture’s successful operations, Fonte Nova has hired a consulting firm, Amsterdam ArenA, the company responsible for operating the facility of the same name in the Dutch capital, where the Ajax team holds its matches. The Amsterdam ArenA hosts an average of three events per week, with constantly changing backdrops. In less than 24 hours, a soccer match can give way to a major concert, play, dance performance or corporate event. The Dutch stadium hosts The Sensation, one of the biggest electronic music events in Europe and, among other artists, has featured concerts by Madonna, Michael Jackson, U2 and Lenny Kravitz. According to Henk Markerink, President of the Amsterdam ArenA, Fonte

informa

51

The illustration shows what the future Pernambuco Arena will look like as an integral part of Latin America’s first Smart City: a new vector of development for the state

52

Nova will become a major landmark for Salvador.

of pre-cast parts and 31,000 cu.m of parts cast at

Like Amsterdam’s arena, the new facility will be

the jobsite.

a fresh destination for business, leisure and en-

To ensure excellent construction standards, the

tertainment. “This partnership will give the Fonte

Fonte Nova Arena has recently undergone two au-

Nova Arena world-class standards of operations,

dits that resulted in international quality certifica-

enriched with the local ‘flavor,’” he says.

tion and the title of FIFA-Standard Multipurpose

The Fonte Nova Arena occupies a total area of

Arena Construction approved by Inmetro under the

116,000 square meters, of which 90,000 sq.m are

ISO 9001 standard. The first audit, which took place

dedicated to the multipurpose facility. Scheduled

between April 23 and 27, was conducted by Bureau

for completion by early July, along with the metal

Veritas Certification (BVC) to evaluate issues such

structure of the compression ring that forms the

as work environment, engineering, technologi-

roof, the fully covered stands occupy a 36,000-sq.m

cal control of incoming materials and products,

area. Once it is ready, steel cables will hold the sta-

personnel training and qualification, and records

dium’s cover in place. The early stages of comple-

management, among other items. The second as-

tion are also scheduled for July, and the seats and

sessment took place between May 21 and 25, per-

the grass will be installed in October, covering a

formed by Vanzolini to verify the implementation of

108 m by 65 m area. Altogether, the project will re-

procedures and routines that perform all functions

quire 45,000 cubic meters of concrete, 14,000 cu.m

with the highest degree of accuracy.

informa

tions through the opportunity presented by the World Cup. The public will enjoy improvements in urban mobility, investments in hospitality, entertainment and public safety, and go on to have one of the best and most advanced soccer stadiums in the country, which is the heart of Cidade da Copa. This represents an improvement in quality of life, and we are proud of our company’s participation in this process,” he says.

Like its counterpart in Salvador, the Pernambuco Arena will do more than host soccer games. With a total area of 156,000 square meters, including 24,000 sq.m of stands, the facility will offer 46,000 seats, 4,700 parking spaces, 13 escalators, eight elevators and 102 boxes. The Pernambuco Arena Consortium, an SPC formed by Odebrecht Participações e Investimentos and Odebrecht Infraestrutura, has hired the US firm AEG Facilities to run the arena. A world leader in the entertainment industry, AEG is responsible for the design and management of LA Live in downtown Los Angeles, and owns the Los Angeles Lakers basketball club and the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. It also runs more than 100 stadiums in 14 countries, including the O2 Arena in London, hailed as the best indoor facility of its kind

Legacy for Pernambuco

in the world.

According to Marcos Lessa, President of the

Pernambuco is making the most of the up-

Pernambuco Arena Consortium, this partner-

coming World Cup. An area located 19 km from

ship with AEG will attract big names in show

the center of Recife was chosen to house the

business, making Pernambuco a national

state’s new arena. The state capital is growing at

benchmark. “Even without this facility, we have

an accelerated pace, and its population density

already hosted artists of the stature of Paul

and heavy traffic have created challenges that

McCartney, so once the Pernambuco Arena

can be overcome with the help of a new vector of

opens, these moments of celebration should

development: Cidade da Copa (World Cup City).

become increasingly frequent.”

This is the name of Latin America’s first Smart

In addition to the entire structure, the Per-

City, where the arena is located. According to

nambuco Arena will feature a solar power

Odebrecht Infraestrutura (Infrastructure) Proj-

plant installed through a partnership between

ect Director Bruno Dourado, who is responsible

Odebrecht Energia (Energy) and the Neoen-

for the venture, the state has seized this op-

ergia Group. The plant will have a 1-MW gen-

portunity to further strengthen the Recife met-

erating capacity, enough to power a town of

ropolitan area’s development through projects

6,000. It will primarily supply energy for the

carried out in several segments. “Pernambuco

new arena and generate carbon credits for the

is striving to leave a legacy for future genera-

venture.

informa

53

The end of the last game of the NBA’s 2012 season, when the Heat won the championship: Miami celebrates

heating up

THE CAULDRON

54

54

informa

The home of the Miami Heat, the current NBA champions, the American Airlines Arena complex can be adapted to host many kinds of events

photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

written by Thais Reiss

informa

55

T

he American Airlines Arena (AAA) rang

The construction of the AAA was marked by several

with the voices of over 20,000 fans. “Let’s

challenges, including hurricanes and tropical storms,

go Heat, let’s go Heat, let’s go Heat!”

in addition to the special precautions required to pro-

The chanting grew with each pass, every

tect the environment while draining the land where it

shot, every point the Miami Heat scored

was built, which is very close to Biscayne Bay.

against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final match

The biggest challenges, however, resulted from the

for the 2012 season of the NBA, the world’s main bas-

highly ambitious schedule. Built on the fast-track sys-

ketball league, on the night of June 21. The fans went

tem (engineering developed simultaneously with con-

wild, cheering the moves and precision of the players,

struction), it was completed in just 22 months, despite

especially the “Big 3”: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James

the need for design changes during construction and

and Chris Bosh, who, along with their teammates,

the fact that the team only had 30% of the blueprints

raised the cup as two-time champions.

when they broke ground, situations that were part of the

Inaugurated on December 31, 1999, with singer Gloria

job when carrying out the project at an extremely fast

Estefan’s Millennium Concert, the AAA, home of the Mi-

pace. “We were only able to overcome these challenges

ami Heat, which won its first NBA championship in 2006,

because of our excellent relationship with the client,

has also hosted boxing, wrestling, martial arts, tennis and

designers and subcontractors. I remember the atmo-

Olympic gymnastics championships, firmly establishing

sphere of cooperation, the constant exchange of ideas

itself as a major sports complex in southern Florida.

and proactive attitude towards the needs of the project

With a 640,000-sq.m built area and 112 m in height,

in order to accomplish all our goals, as well as how we

the arena seats up to 23,000 people and can be adapted

handled and incorporated all the changes required,”

to accommodate various kinds of events. The complex

says Gustavo Lazaro, who was Responsible for the Air

has hosted world-famous artists such as U2, Madonna,

Conditioning System.

the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga, and

Pablo Rodriguez points out that the complex was

Brazilian icons like singers Roberto Carlos and Ivete

delivered on schedule and the occupancy permit was

Sangalo. It has also been the backdrop for Disney on

issued in record time. “The city officials were surprised,

Ice, Blue Man Group, the Latin Grammy Awards and the

because of the magnitude of the project,” he recalls.

MTV Video Music Awards.

56

photo: Henrique Valle

American Airlines Arena and, opposite, Florida International University’s stadium: achievements for their communities

Vivian Rojas-Keller, the officer Responsible for Ad-

“To this day, I remember the installation of the last

ministration on the project, observes that it also pro-

set of beams. It was amazing to see the sheer magni-

duced enduring personal rewards and lasting friend-

tude of the steel structure holding up the roof of the

ships. “We were a very close team, and I believe that

building, and the suspended apparatus used for the

the ethos of service was behind our success through-

maintenance of lighting, air conditioning, the speak-

out the entire program. The satisfaction of completing

ers,” says a visibly moved Pablo Rodriguez, who was

a project like that and delivering it to the community is

Responsible for Finishings on the project.

extraordinary – there’s nothing like it.”

informa

Steve Binford, who was responsible for the arena’s

has had (and is still having) a strong impact on the lo-

structure and is now on the Odebrecht team in New Or-

cal community. This became clear once again on Oc-

leans, agrees: “It was a defining moment in my career

tober 1, 2011, when 22,682 fans fervently supported

and the most rewarding project I’ve ever been involved

their American football teams on the campus of Flor-

in. I’m crazy about sports and always dreamed of build-

ida International University (FIU). The home team, the

ing a cutting-edge complex. I still look back on that

Golden Panthers, was playing against Duke Universi-

project with pride, 12 years later.”

ty’s Blue Devils with record attendance at the stadium.

The AAA is strategically located in the heart of Mi-

Popularly known as “the cage” because it is the home

ami, and has contributed to the regeneration of the

of the Golden Panthers, the facility was built between

region, giving life to adjacent properties. The famous

2007 and 2008 by Odebrecht USA, on the same spot

Bayside tourist area and Adrienne Arsht Center for the

where the company had demolished the old one.

Performing Arts Center, also built by Odebrecht USA

“The new stadium had a huge impact on the com-

and opened in 2006, are just a few blocks away from the

munity. Besides being one of the few universities in

arena. Gustavo Lazaro notes that the AAA marked the

Florida with its own stadium, by opening this stadium

beginning of a new era in that region, not only creating

FIU provided a fresh source of pride for the administra-

jobs in the construction industry but also in the service

tion, faculty, students and athletes of that institution.

sector due to the emergence of new residential and

Sports can bring people together in a very special way,”

commercial buildings and culinary attractions.

says Odebrecht’s Carlos Nuñez, who was promoted

Always looking for ways to become more energy efficient and eco-friendly, the AAA has been certified as

from Project Engineer to General Superintendent during that project.

an LEED building by the US Green Building Council.

According to FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia: “Ode-

The certification was based on the performance (and

brecht has built a stadium capable of bringing the com-

improvement) of its operations. In the case of the AAA,

munity together for various kinds of events.” He also

it means efficient water use and energy consumption,

observes that partnering up with the company was the

and underground parking (reducing emissions of gases

best decision they made. “The project was completed

that trap heat in the atmosphere), among other factors.

on schedule and within the proposed budget. Working

Vivian Rojas-Keller observes: “We are still experienc-

with Gilberto Neves [CEO of Odebrecht USA] and his

ing the enduring positive impact of the AAA. Anyone who

team was a great experience. In addition to the exper-

has visited the arena and enjoyed what it has to offer

tise they provided, they all treated the stadium like it

knows that the AAA provides an intense experience and

was their own.”

helps bring our community together in a powerful way.”

Rudy Armenta, the Project Director for the stadium, enthusiastically recalls the time when that project was

On-campus stadium

underway in Miami: “It was an unforgettable experi-

The American Airlines Arena is not the only sports

ence to help build an iconic project like that at my alma mater!”

Odebrecht archives

facility Odebrecht has built in Miami. Another stadium

informa informa

5757

memOrY

The run-up to the 2007 Pan American Games demonstrated Rio’s ability to host major events written by Zaccaria Junior

F

58

ive years ago, between

if it were yesterday. “The Pan Ameri-

July 13 and 29, 2007,

can Games were very important for

Rio de Janeiro emerged

Odebrecht. We not only saw them as

as the backdrop for one

an opportunity to contribute to infra-

of the most important

structure and stadium construction

sporting events on the continent: the

projects but they allowed us to focus

15th Pan American Games. The bud-

on a different type of business, view-

get for the city’s candidacy, the sum

ing sports and entertainment as new

of BRL 1.48 billion, which covered the

business,” he observes.

organization’s investments and costs,

Odebrecht’s challenge in taking

was based on the estimated partici-

part in the Pan American Games

pation of approximately 25,000 peo-

took the form of delivering a retrofit-

ple, including athletes, referees and

ted Maracanã stadium to the people

delegates, volunteers and registered

of Rio de Janeiro, along with a new

journalists, among others. Helping

Mini Maracanã (gyms) equipped with

Rio host the Pan American Games

air conditioning and a 800-sq.m court

was a challenge for Odebrecht and its

and João Havelange Olympic Sta-

members. Odebrecht’s involvement

dium, or “Engenhão,” which is one of

with this mega event started in 2003,

the most advanced facilities of its kind

when the Organizing Committee for

in the world and suitable for competi-

the games requested the company’s

tions at the highest level – a chapter

support and began making the prep-

apart in Odebrecht’s role in the 2007

arations which would allow the state

Pan American Games. The Olympic

capital to host an event of that mag-

Stadium is considered an engineer-

nitude.

ing landmark, especially because of

João Borba, the officer Responsi-

the challenging construction of its

ble for New Business at Odebrecht In-

metal cover, which despite weigh-

fraestrutura (Infrastructure), enthusi-

ing more than 4,000 tonnes, seems

astically remembers those events as

to float over the stands, protecting

informa

58 Odebrecht Archives

TRIAL

BY FIRE

João Havelange Oympic Stadium being built for the 2007 Pan American Games: a challenging project for Rio and Odebrecht

informa informa

5959

people from the rain and dispersing noise and heat. The upper part is supported by four large arches, which are more than 70m in height.

Installing the cover was not originally Odebrecht’s responsibility, but the company ended up taking on part of that task and went into action to carry out all of the finishings, installation, building automation, ticketing systems, lighting, air conditioning and roof tiles, among other items included in the tender.

Another Odebrecht project in Rio de Janeiro that was also carried out to prepare the city for the Pan Ameri-

stadium projects, he is particularly

given to projects which could be de-

can Games was the new arrival and

referring to Odebrecht’s leading role

veloped in the city.

departure terminal at the city’s cen-

in structuring the concession pro-

“Beginning in 2003, due to our in-

trally located Santos Dumont Air-

cess for the Jacarepaguá Race Track

volvement in the preparations for the

port, which can handle up to eight

Complex. This was a totally innova-

Pan American Games, I started trav-

million passengers per year.

tive project, developed to make that

eling abroad to see what was being

site one of the most advanced multi-

done around the world from the per-

purpose sports complexes in the

spective of sports as business, look-

A new business emerges When João Borba mentions the

world. It came about following the

ing beyond construction, which had

idea of a “new business” that went

Organizing Committee’s request for

not been done before,” Borba recalls.

beyond building infrastructure and

support so that consideration was

“I started doing some research on

Maracanã and “Mini Maracanã” being refurbished for the Pan American Games and Santos Dumont Airport shortly after its expansion: a legacy for the city informa

60

photos: Odebrecht Archives

how multi-purpose arenas operated,

points out that all of this would be

held by the City of Rio de Janeiro to

what was done, how it was possible

developed and constructed with Ode-

implement, operate and maintain

to have an ice-hockey game in the

brecht’s own resources, with the right

Olympic Park for the 2016 Games.

morning and a rock concert at night,

to commercially develop the area for a

This BRL 1.5-billion venture will

for example. That’s how the Rio Sport

50-year period. Project financing was

be built on the same spot where

Plaza was born,” he adds.

developed to make these investments

the Rio Sports Plaza was conceived

The Rio Sport Plaza was conceived

feasible, with the sale of naming rights

eight years ago. The complex will oc-

to consolidate a multi-purpose sports

for the complex as the key product –

cupy an area greater than 1,000,000

complex and other facilities in the vi-

a solution that would be viewed as a

square meters and will include four

cinity in a single location, including

major innovation at the time.

gyms, two stadiums, 16 tennis courts and an Olympic arena that will in-

leisure and entertainment develop-

Olympic Park

clude an aquatic center and velo-

ness centers. The area envisaged for

The relationship between inno-

drome.

this project is located on Jacarepaguá

vation and project financing, lack of

The project includes the con-

Lagoon in the Barra da Tijuca district,

political support, the tight timeframe

struction of Olympic facilities which

where the Rio de Janeiro International

for completion and organizational

will become the legacy of the Games,

Race Track is currently located. “The

complexity kept this dream from

including three halls which will

concept was that we would invest

coming true, but a seed had been

house various competitions and an

our own resources to build a multi-

planted.” Over time we were able to

athletics track. In addition, Olympic

purpose arena, a multi-functional

develop the concept behind the Rio

Park’s complete infrastructure, a

velodrome and an aquatic park for

Sport Plaza project, which led us to

social center, a commercial building

the Games and modernize the race

invest in PPPs today, using a model

that will be used as a Media Center

track, which would be approved for

which is very similar to what we were

for most of the 20,000 journalists

Formula 1 races by the International

thinking of at the time. It could be

covering the Games and a 400-room

Motor Sport Federation. In return, the

said that our recent participation in

hotel will be built. The main sports

Rio Sport Plaza Special Purpose En-

constructing and operating Olympic

complex for the 2016 Olympics, the

tity (SPE) would have the right to de-

Park is the evolution of that concept,”

park will be the venue for 15 Olym-

velop a real estate complex that would

João Borba observes.

pic events and 11 Paralympic events.

ments, hotels and shopping and busi-

include a hotel, shopping mall, con-

The Rio 2016 Olympic Park joint

“Other investments involving this

vention center, leisure and entertain-

venture, comprising Odebrecht In-

type of partnership will certainly

ment areas and commercial build-

fraestrutura, Andrade Gutierrez and

come in time, consolidating Ode-

ings, located in a total area of 900,000

Carvalho Hosken, was formed to par-

brecht’s participation in this busi-

square meters,” Borba explains. He

ticipate in a tender for a PPP Project

ness,” says João Borba.

informa

61

raw materi COME INTO PL AY

From natural leather to modern sports equipment made from thermoplastic resin, a story of technological developments in sports written by Emanuella Sombra photos by Fred Chalub

Rolls of synthetic leather made

by Sintex: the company supplies materials used to make sports equipment for some of the world’s leading brands

62

62 informa

als

I

n the early 20th century, they were made of thick leather, had no cleats and looked more like actual boots. But in the 1950s, their makers found that cowhide, which is much lighter and more flexible, gave athletes more speed and greater

control of the ball.

As soccer matured, the boots were modernized: in the late 1950s, Pele wore kangaroo leather models with cleats that could be switched to suit different kinds of grass. Diego Armando Maradona tried a version weighing 270 grams, with polyurethane soles and cleats, and Ronaldo started the fashion of sideways cleats and bright colors. Today, superstar Lionel Messi dances around the opposing team in ultra-light models weighing just 150 grams, made of leather and synthetic fiber.

“The developments in sports footwear have been huge. Today’s sectorized production allows manufacturers to ensure better quality control,” says Reginaldo Milbradt, President of the Sintex Group, one of Brazil’s five largest producers of synthetic leather. Every day, he follows all stages of production of the materials used at the company’s factory in Boracéia, a town located in one of São Paulo State’s strategic footwear manufacturing hubs.

Reginaldo gives a detailed explanation of how the production line operates, without taking his eyes off a huge strip of moldable paper on which a viscous black liquid is being poured. There, the liquid is spread out, heated and cooled until it turns into huge rolls of black synthetic leather, which are then packaged and labeled.

In half an hour, the black liquid is replaced by another, this time light green, and then another, which is silver, at a pace that must meet the constant demand from the company’s clients – some of the leading sporting goods brands on the market.

Sintex supplies raw materials to makers of soccer boots, tennis shoes, balls and goalkeeper gloves. They represent 50% of the factory’s total output, which also includes products for the footwear market. It all starts by mixing ingredients together. “It’s like a recipe for a giant cake: the plasticizer is the milk, the pigments are the eggs and the PVC resin is the flour,” Reginaldo explains with a smile.

Every month, truckloads of this “flour” (from 75 to 120 tonnes per shipment) arrive at Sintex from Braskem, which is responsible for 70% of the PVC resin the factory uses. These figures are expected to increase thanks to the FIFA Confederations Cup (2013) and World Cup

INFORMA

63

(2014), which Sintex estimates will boost the plant’s production by at least 20%. The strong US dollar should also help make domestic products more competitive in Brazil.

“Our production is directly linked to the end consumer. If people buy more balls, we will have to produce more PVC resin,” observes Braskem PVC Accounts Manager Alex Ricardo Duarte. He notes that the mechanical properties of synthetic leather, which is lighter and more resistant than the real thing, together with its low cost compared with other materials, make PVC a product that is in great demand in the sports industry.

Keenly aware of new trends and keeping ahead of the needs of manufacturers of items like sports shoes and balls – who are increasingly focused on the performance, design and durability of their products – Braskem, the largest producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, is actively seeking solutions through research, technology development and fine tuning with its clients.

Resins that the company produces, such as polyethylene, are being used as raw materials to make synthetic grass – a kind of turf that is becoming more and more popular in stadiums because it is easy to maintain and less susceptible to weather conditions. Inputs such as butadiene are used to produce gym mats, and solvents like toluene become adhesives for high-performance tennis shoes.

And unlike the old days, when athletes wore heavy cotton shirts and shorts, cumene is an ingredient for producing nylon used in the manufacture of uniforms.

Amsterdam ArenA On other fronts, the company is producing the innovations the sports industry demands. They are coming down the pipeline thanks to tried and tested solutions: a technology Braskem developed six years ago, the manufacture of “green” plastic made with sugarcane ethanol, was the focus of a contract signed between the company and the Amsterdam ArenA in the Netherlands. It involves supplying 2,000 seats made from sugarcane polyethylene for the home introduced the world to the great Johan Cruyff.

Da

rio

de

Fre itas

of the Ajax Football Club, the soccer team that

64

INFORMA

Manufacturing synthetic leather: Braskem supplies the raw materials Sintex uses to make it

“This is about using a sustainable option, which is producing ethylene from sugarcane ethanol,” says Fabio Carneiro, Braskem’s Commercial Director for the Renewables Business. In addition to coming from a renewable source – ethanol derived from sugarcane – this kind of ethylene can be processed with the same equipment used to make conventional plastics.

Inspired by global concern about the preservation of natural resources, this Braskem initiative was the subject of a feature published on CNN’s website in February. According to Carneiro, the expectation is that all 54,000 stadium seats in the Dutch stadium will be replaced, and this will become a viable alternative for other sports facilities in Brazil, such as the stadiums that will host the next FIFA World Cup. The industry is putting its chips on the Cup. And Braskem is already playing an active role in the preparations for the most eagerly anticipated sporting event on the planet. The fans who watch the World Cup final at Rio’s Maracanã Stadium on July 13, 2014, will be protected by a metal shield composed of hydrocarbon resin licensed and produced by Braskem at the Santo André Petrochemical Complex in São Paulo State.

Unilene resin, which is exported to Europe and the United States, is one of the components of two types of paint manufactured by the Dutch company Akzo Nobel. Intergard 475HS and Interseal 670HS will coat the cover and metal structures of the legendary stadium, which is being refurbished by Consórcio Maracanã Rio 2014, a joint venture of Odebrecht Infraestrutura (Infrastructure) and Andrade Gutierrez.

“One of Unilene’s key attributes is that it’s waterproof, which provides greater protection from corrosion for metal structures coated with that product. This is essential for the manufacturer because it makes their product more competitive,” says Arariboia Martins, the Technical Manager at Akzo Nobel (M&PC – Marine and Protective Coatings Unit). According to Martins, the multinational company is negotiating the use of these coatings in other arenas that are being built or revamped in Brazil.

“This type of resin has a wide range of applications. It’s not only used in paint but also on racing tires, sports shoe adhesives, soccer balls...”

and the

list goes on, according to Braskem’s Unilene Domestic Market Accounts Manager Leonardo Fernandes.

INFORMA

65

big

66 Elber Mateus: one of the young talents at the Pontal Beach Soccer School in Macei贸

66

informa

dreams

come true

Kids in three Brazilian states are coming closer to their dream of becoming professional athletes one day

written by Ricardo Sangiovanni (Bahia and Alagoas) and Thereza Martins (São Paulo)

A

child does not need much to dream.

The living proof of this are two Braskem-sponsored social projects that have helped about 400 children from low-income districts on the

outskirts of two Brazilian cities dream of someday becoming professional athletes.

In Salvador, Bahia, Braskem is a partner of SESI (the Social Service for Industry) in the Athlete of the Future program, which offers 400 places for three activities – ballet, soccer and karate – for children and youths aged between 6 and 17. In Maceió, Alagoas, the company supports the Pontal Beach Soccer School, which has 43 students between the ages of 5 and 14.

Athlete of the Future is part of the Salvador Monastery Social Program, an NGO that works with underprivileged children in outlying districts of the city. The educational side is run by the SESI team, and Braskem comes in as a partner company – which, in turn, enables the partnership between SESI and the NGO – and oversees the project.

There are 223 young people taking classical ballet (the first activity the project offered in 2010). SESI’s support has helped ensure the survival of this program, which began in 2001, and improved the infrastructure of the classroom, which has been expanded to about 50sq.m and equipped with mirrors, bars, a sound system and lighting, and a photo: Márcio Lima

suitable wooden floor.

“This is very gratifying work,” says ballet teacher Ana Cristina Ferraz, who has a degree in dance and is accredited by the Royal Academy of Dance in London – whose method, an international benchmark for dancer training, informa

67

the Monastery program has adopted. “These girls come here as ‘ugly ducklings’ and leave as true ‘swans.’ Dance provides discipline and poise,” says Ana Cristina, clearly proud of the program’s achievements.

Judging by the elegance and grace of students like Deijane Gonçalves, 17, her teacher is not exaggerating. After a public class applauded by the students’ families, the teen observed that she identified with ballet right away, when she took her first class through the Monastery program eight years ago.

Deijane soon began nurturing the dream of every beginning dancer: to pass the Bolshoi Ballet’s exam and move to Joinville, Santa Catarina, the home of the Russian company’s Brazilian headquarters. Despite arduous preparation, she failed the first two trials – and wept. But her dream finally came true in 2008 when, after a Bolshoi audition in Salvador, she was given an opportunity.

However, her stay in Santa Catarina only lasted a few months because Deijane’s parents had to pay for her room and board, and could not afford it. Mature for her age, she understood the problem and returned to Salvador, but she has not stopped training at the Monastery program, nor has she given up on a career as a dancer.

A resident of Salvador’s low-income Escada district, Deijane believes that the ballet school “has saved many people” from prostitution and drug trafficking, which are rife in the region. Deijane’s classmate until the end of last year, Grimaldo Oliveira Silva Filho, 17, agrees. “It’s an activity that keeps us away from those things. I have some friends who went into that life [of drug trafficking],” says the young ballet dancer, who lives in the neighboring district of Alto de Coutos.

Grimaldo began training through the Monastery program at the age of 12. He improved so much that, earlier this year, he was accepted into a local dance company, the Balé Jovem Salvador (Young Salvador Ballet). “Through ballet, I’ve started to understand what the arts are all about,” says Grimaldo, who has not escaped the prejudice against men who dance. “I don’t care. When I step on the boards, the rest of the world stays outside and my imagination starts flowing. That’s when I feel sure that my dreams will come true.” His dreams are big: he wants to

Ballet with a ball This successful experience with classical ballet led SESI and Braskem to extend the program in 2012 to

68

informa

photo: Márcio Lima

dance in Russia’s Kirov company.

Deijane Gonçalves: the perseverance to pursue a career as a ballerina

two other types of “dance” – indoor soccer and karate.

Salomão and his mother, Isabel: watching her son grow and develop

Some 40 youths have signed up for soccer and about 50 for karate, but the goal is to reach up to 120 participants in each category by next year. The classes began in March.

Some boys, like young Salomão Brejeiro, 8, enjoy the program so much that they play both sports. His mother, homemaker Isabel Brejeiro, 43, says that in just three months of training, her son “has already grown a lot.” And not just as an athlete: Salomão is also taking his studies more seriously. After all, according to the project’s rules, only students who do well in school can play.

“I like karate, but I want to be a soccer player,” says Salomão, who, despite rooting for the Bahia club, really dreams of playing on “Messi’s team” – Barcelona.

His classmates Carlos Alberto Junior, 9, Douglas Silva, 10, and Gessivaldo Lima, 14, share the same dream. Skilled players, they have distinguished themselves in training and could be recommended to join the entry-level divisions of Bahian soccer clubs, according to coach Augusto Andrade.

“But the key is doing well in school,” he observes.

School of life The kids at the Pontal Beach Soccer School in Maceió, Alagoas, also have the names of Barça stars on the tips of their tongues. And like their counterparts in Bahia, they have to concentrate on their studies if they want to keep training.

The soccer school is headed by former pro beach soccer player Rodrigo Willer, 30. A resident of the Pontal neighborhood, a low-income district on the outskirts of Maceió, Willer started the little school two years ago “to give children what I didn’t have during my childhood.” He works for Lagoa Viva (Living Lagoon), an institution that Braskem created and is now the company’s partner in developing environmental projects.

Currently, a total of 43 boys from the neighborhood get together to practice on Saturdays, learning the basics of beach soccer on the sand court built by the Neighborhood Association with Braskem’s support. The young athletes are inspired by another local star, the second-best scorer in the last Brazilian Beach Soccer of opportunity to train as a kid. If you work hard you will definitely become great players, much better than me,” said Tales when he gave a special guest lecture to the budding athletes.

photo: Márcio Lima

Championship, Tales Marcel, 25. “I didn’t have this kind

informa

69

photo: Paulo Fridman

ACEB-SP swimming group participants: access to scholarships

Before the ball gets rolling, the players sit down for a

Last year, she was on the team that represented ACEB-SP

lesson: a combination of recreation and learning to re-

in Algarrobo, Chile, in the annual tournament held in what

spect their teachers and fellow students, tips on recycling

the Guinness Book of Records considers of largest pool in

and water conservation. To get the kids more involved,

the world. It is over 1 km long, the equivalent of 20 official

Willer makes bets with the students, who have fun com-

Olympic swimming pools. Nathália won the championship

peting for soft drinks in penalty shootouts.

in the young women’s category in that tournament.

Making the lessons fun helps kids learn the basics of

“It was a unique experience. I met athletes who have

the sport even better. In a training match against a young

won recognition in Brazil and other countries, so I could

team from Trapiche (another neighborhood on the out-

see how they go about training and follow their exam-

skirts of Maceió, which does not have a school), the stars

ple,” she says. At that tournament, ACEB-SP was rep-

of Pontal – Everton Souza, 12, Elber Mateus, 12, and João

resented by a total of 16 swimmers and sponsored the

Vitor Caetano, 13 – put on a show, not just of individual

participation of five.

technique but collective tactical awareness. Final score: 10 x 3. Civic spirit won big.

Swimming in the chill

Nathália’s group also includes two sisters, Ana Carolina and Mariana da Costa Pires, respectively 9 and 11 years old. In their case, swimming has opened the door to scholarships at a local private school. Marco Antonio

From tropical Maceió we move south to São Paulo,

Pires, the girls’ father, explains how this came about.

where the climate may be different but the desire to make

“They were studying at a [public] municipal high school,

dreams come true is just the same. Not even the driz-

but my wife and I wanted to transfer them to private

zling rain and cold weather of a Southern Hemisphere

school. The school we were interested in offers athletic

autumn afternoon discouraged the youthful participants

scholarships to students who qualify for its team. The

in the ACEB-SP Social Project’s swimming group. At 4

girls barely knew how to swim, but they’ve developed

pm, there they were, ready to plunge in and start train-

rapidly and, thanks to their training at ACEB, they man-

ing – the kind of training that has led some of them to win

aged to get into the school, win the scholarship and join

championship medals.

the team.”

This is the case with Nathália de Souza Giolo, 16. She

70

has been on the Braskem Cultural and Sports Association

Link between company and community

(ACEB) swim team in Santo André, São Paulo, since she was

The ACEB-SP Social Project was created in 2006 with

11, and has won titles in swimming pools and the ocean.

the aim of encouraging social inclusion through sports

informa

cipline, attention, responsibility and social skills, and, of Nathália Giolo: “It was a unique experience”

course, they are beneficial for people’s health at any age,” says physical education teacher Flávia Molla, the coordinator of the ACEB swim team.

One of the requirements for participating in the social project is being enrolled in primary or high school. The other is maintaining ties with neighborhood associations, because people can only enroll in the ACEB project through them, and the associations’ headquarters serve as meeting points for the children and young people who take Braskem-chartered buses to and from ACEB’s facilities. “A monitor from the community association always accompanies the group,” says Flávia.

photos: Paulo Fridman

In addition to the buses, the company also offers uniforms and snacks for participants. Vinícius Nascimento de Souza, 11, a Santos club supporter, loves playing soccer at ACEB. “At home I don’t have anybody to play with, so I just play video games,” he says. and educational activities. In addition to swimming, the project offers other activities, such as football, basketball, handball, volleyball, music lessons and recreation.

Vinícius de Souza: fascination with soccer

“ACEB’s facilities were underused during the day, when most of its associates, who are Braskem members, are at work. Because of that, we have the free space and time to open our doors to the communities near the Greater ABC Petrochemical Complex through this social project, offering leisure options for everyone who signs up,” says Debora Hernandes Machado, Braskem’s Institutional analyst for the ABC and Cubatão regions.

ACEB is located virtually across the road from Braskem’s PE7 (polyethylene) and Unib 3 (basic petrochemicals) production units in Santo André, near the Mauá district. Both low-income neighborhoods have grown up in the vicinity of the complex, so the social project was created to reach out to those communities.

“ACEB is also a link between local neighborhoods and the company, a meeting and communication point,” Debora observes.

Over 500 people from the local communities, including children, youths and people over 60, are making good use of ACEB’s facilities, including classrooms, playgrounds, swimming pools and tennis courts. The highlight of these activities is sports, due to their health benefits and the interest they attract.

“Sports are good for the development of children and adolescents. They improve coordination, encourage dis-

informa

71

72 Volleyball game on Ilha do Cabo (Cape Island), Luanda: having fun and socializing outdoors

m

country 72

informa

The Angolan people show their passion for sports on beaches, streets and parks written by Eliana Simonetti photos by Guilherme Afonso

motion in

informa

73

Participants in the Active Life program and, opposite (top), Wilson and Lara Cunha with their son Ricardo: investing in health and wellbeing

I

n Africa, Angola is a basketball powerhouse, win-

architect who gets together with friends to play after

ning 10 of the last 11 Afrobasket tournaments,

work Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on Saturday morn-

the men’s continental championship held every

ings. Peterson, who participated in the armed conflicts

two years as a qualifier for the Olympics and the

in the countryside and studied in South Africa after

world championship in that sport. Soccer mobi-

finishing high school in Benguela, notes with satisfac-

lizes another swath of the country. Most Angolans of

tion that more and more people are exercising on the

all ages play some kind of sport.

beaches and in Luanda’s parks and squares. “Our peo-

Odebrecht Angola’s teams have rehabilitated, en-

74

ple are seeking increasingly positive results,” he says.

larged and modernized the main street, sidewalks and

Since he takes the sport seriously, Peterson only

signage on Ilha do Cabo (Cape Island), in the nation’s

takes his daughters to the beach on Sundays, when

capital, Luanda, as well as installing sports facilities.

he is not playing volleyball with his friends. Many

The number of visitors there is impressive. “Angolans

families take advantage of the improved leisure facili-

have a huge desire to enjoy well-tended venues and en-

ties on weekends. In mid-May, IT entrepreneurs Wil-

sure their own wellbeing, so they are quickly taking pos-

son and Lara Cunha were enjoying a stroll there with

session of all the spaces revitalized by the project and

their eighteen-month son Ricardo. They don’t live near

helping keep them clean and beautiful,” says Eduardo

the island, but every day at 5 am, Wilson can be found

Badin, Project Director of the Luanda Roadways Project

warming up for his daily run and workout at the gym to

and the leader of the works done on Ilha do Cabo.

ensure that he is well prepared for the rest of the day.

“We already used to come here to play volleyball on

“The landscape, the exercise equipment installed on

the beach before Odebrecht put up the nets. Now we

the beach, everything invites us to seek better health,

come here more often,” says Peterson Patrício, 33, an

and have a more positive outlook on life,” he says.

informa

Active Life

blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. Then they

The Angolans’ receptivity has led Odebrecht to go

can join the group of people who are stretching, jump-

one step further, in partnership with the Provincial

ing and playing on the boardwalk. “We’ve had over 200

Government of Luanda. On weekends, along with the

people taking the classes offered at 7 am on Sundays,”

exercise equipment, a disc jockey and aerobics teach-

says Virgínia Machado da Silva, the Luanda Roadways

er are available on the closest part of the island to the

Project’s officer Responsible for Social Programs and

city for people who want to work out with professional

Community Relations.

guidance. First the candidates are screened by a nurs-

This professionally guided exercise program is

ing technician who records their general information,

called Active Life. It was introduced on January 29, and 1,800 people had enrolled by May, most of them taking aerobics classes or using the volleyball, basketball and soccer courts available in the area. “I’ve always worked out to keep in shape, but doing guided exercises is more organized and efficient,” acknowledges Manuel Fernandes, who does public relations for a consulting firm. It takes an hour for him to walk from his house to the island to participate in the weekend morning classes.

The Luanda Roadways team has also taken another initiative that is very popular with the communities in Angola’s capital. While revitalizing roads, plazas and sidewalks, it has also installed exercise equipment tailored to the space and the region. The results have been remarkable. Every evening, wher-

Basketball fan Flávio José Mateus: Angola is Africa’s powerhouse in that sport

informa

75

Project directors and other Odebrecht Angola members at Ombaka National Stadium in Benguela: an experience that will forever remain in their memories and hearts

ever you go along these revitalized areas of the cap-

coach says that anything is possible, so I’m working hard

ital, you see large numbers of people. None of the

to make my dreams come true,” he adds.

equipment goes unused. Planted with shade trees, paved and fenced in, the plazas offer playground equipment for kids, and there is always at least half a basketball court.

76

At-risk youth Flávio and Candido are cousins. Along with five other young people, they live with Dona Emília, Candido’s

This is the case with Largo Cambambe, in the Cru-

mother, in Bairro Operário. Life is hard, but things have

zeiro district, next to the Bairro Operário (Worker’s Quar-

been worse. Currently they all go to school and partici-

ter). Flávio José Mateus, 19, and Candido Antonio Gas-

pate in at least one extracurricular activity. The youngest

par Madureira, 17, play basketball there, whether or not

boy, Ivanilson, 7, is also Dona Emília’s son. He is prac-

there are more people on the court. “We always meet

ticing capoeira in another facility made possible by the

up on here after school to practice,” says Flávio, whose

contribution of the Structuring Roadways Project, car-

dream is to join the Angolan Air Force. Candido, who be-

ried out by Odebrecht Angola: sports courts built and

gan playing basketball four years ago, has been invited

handed over to the Don Bosco brotherhood, which runs

to join Angola’s under-17 team. “I want to represent my

educational projects in Angola.

country, be recognized abroad and play among the best,

The partnership between Odebrecht and the Sale-

in the US basketball league,” he says confidently. “My

sian Congregation of Don Bosco marked its tenth an-

informa informa

in children and young people do them and all of us a lot of good,” says Larissa.

Exercise within the company For Odebrecht members, all this is familiar, rewarding and also challenging. Taking care of their bodies is a responsibility for workers who want to be in good shape every day and prepared to do their best. All of Odebrecht’s facilities are equipped with a sports court or weight room that encourages people to exercise.

But company members had an unprecedented experience in Benguela on the south coast of Angola in early May. The monthly coordination meeting was scheduled to be held in that city, attended by all project directors and members of the team reporting directly to the CEO of Odebrecht Angola, Ernesto Baiardi, who was also present at the meeting. To close the event in style, the company’s team in Benguela staged a surprise: a soccer match at Ombaka National Stadium – the setting of some of the African Cup of Nations (ACN) matches held in 2010 – with uniforms hanging in the locker room. The teams walked onto the pitch to

Odebrecht Archives

the sound of Waka Waka, the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the game was refereed by a team of officials from the Benguela Soccer League, and the players were interviewed at the end of the match.

Felix Augusto Martins scored the first goal. The Infrastructure Director for Southern Angola, where he is niversary in Angola in 2011. That year, the Structur-

responsible for a new iron mining project, he is mad

ing Roadways Project team built eight sports courts

about soccer. He says that playing in a professional

where activities such as soccer, basketball, volleyball,

stadium was a dream come true. “It was wonderful

capoeira and gymnastics are available day and night

to realize that our connection with the Angolan people

for at-risk children and youth. “We support the initia-

goes beyond aspects of our cultures and language to

tive because we believe that sports are a means for

include our love and respect for sports,” he recalls.

integrating young people into society. They give them

According to Marcus Felipe de Aragão Fernandes,

an opportunity, a way forward,” says Project Director

the Project Director for Benguela and Kwanza Sul,

Tiago Britto.

“The best thing about this event was that people were

Larissa Cristina Ribeiro, a Brazilian gymnastics

socializing and bonding in the relaxed atmosphere

teacher who volunteers at the Salesian missions, ar-

of sports.” José Carlos “Zeca” Pinheiro, the officer

rived in Angola two years ago. She teaches gymnastics

Responsible for Administration and Finance, had ar-

to children and adolescents, and the students love her.

ranged every detail of the match with the help of

“Everyone likes to learn, to feel wanted, to make prog-

Odebrecht’s team members in Benguela. He arrived

ress. In these activities, where the movements must

in Angola in January 2011 and already feels right at

be very precise, you have to develop attention and dis-

home. “I used to run a soccer league in Mundo Novo,

cipline. The changes that physical activity brings about

Bahia,” he explains.

informa

77

78

fight the good

78

informa

In Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, teens get help to overcome the social-risk situations they face

Kemille de Jesus (left) and Agata de Oliveira: more poise and balance

written by Júlio César Soares photos by Marcelo Pizzato

informa

79

M

Maicon Fernandes: working towards a future of peace and growth

aicon Fernandes da Silva, 17, is a student at Botafogo Municipal High School in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. He studies in the morning and does judo and karate as extracurricular activities at school in

the afternoon. A resident of the Malvinas district, one of the poorest in the city, Maicon sees sports as a chance to escape from a daily routine of violence and seek a future of peace and growth. “I used to be a brawler who never backed out of a fight,” he says. “Thanks to martial arts, I’ve learned to control my temper, to be more patient, to have the same discipline I use on the tatami.”

Agata Almeida de Oliveira and Kemille Peçanha de Jesus study at the same school and tell similar stories.

They describe the difficulties of daily life in the slums and how their lives are changing in a way that, until recently, many would have thought unlikely. “We’re off the streets and safe in school,” says Agata. “Doing martial arts has brought me calm and balance.” Kemille agrees: “I’m a better person today, more attentive in class and respectful to the teachers and staff.”

Maicon, Agata and Kemille are participating in the Open Spaces Program, an Odebrecht Oil & Gas (OOG) initiative supported by UNESCO (the United Nations agency that works with education) and the Macaé Department of Education. Located in northern Rio de Janeiro State, Macaé is known for its booming oil industry.

National and international companies have established themselves there, helping make it the eighth-richest city in Brazil in 2006. However, while maintaining good economic indicators since then, the city still faces major social challenges.

Created in 2007 within the strategy of helping children and adolescents overcome obstacles and improve their living conditions, the Open Spaces Program is part of Schools in Action, which organizes initiatives focused on education, sports, recreation, job skills for youth, income creation, digital inclusion and environmental education, while encouraging community involvement and volunteerism.

The principal of Botafogo High School, Luiziana Open Spaces is changing students’ behavior. She has run the school for 15 years and recalls difficult times in the course of her job: “Our school has changed a lot. We don’t have any broken doors nowadays, and the staff gets more respect. Now the students feel that this space is their

80

informa

photo: Américo Vermelho

Simões de Almeida, underscores and praises the way

heritage.” She adds: “This partnership between the pub-

ability Program. The main channel of communication

lic and private sectors is essential for helping us change

between the company and the schools, Domiciano, or

these children’s lives.”

“Domi,” as he is known in Macaé’s communities, believes in the project’s potential to shape young lives.

Grooming good citizens

“We’re working to groom good citizens who understand

The Open Spaces Program aims to include sports in

their communities’ needs and fight to change the way

school activities as an alternative for communities with little

things are right now.”

or no space available for recreation, and a way to help over-

OOG’s support for the program includes supplying

come day-to-day violence. Since its inception five years ago,

sports equipment and helping pay the students’ travel

it has benefited over 19,000 students from seven education-

expenses when they compete in championships, as well

al institutions and one cultural association. Based on the

as getting directly involved in the planning, monitoring

Five Pillars of Learning developed by UNESCO – “learning

and evaluation of activities and liaising with the commu-

to know, learning to do, learning to live together, learning

nity and families. The main idea may be grooming good

to be, and learning to transform oneself and society” – the

citizens, but without a doubt, some students are proving

program seeks to groom not only athletes but most of all

that they have the “DNA” of great future athletes. This is

good citizens who are aware of their role in society.

the case with Renan Souza Pereira, 16, a student at the

“When I don’t produce great athletes, I turn out great

Engenho da Praia School. Slim, and nearly 1.80m tall

teachers, people who will pass on what they’ve learned

(roughly 5’11”), he demonstrates his athletics skills and

and help their communities,” argues Paulo Cesar Maillet,

plans to share what he has learned. “I want to teach kids

the jiu-jitsu teacher at the Art and Light Center. A program

who don’t have a chance to play sports. That used to be

volunteer, Paulo trained with the renowned Gracie family

me,” he says. He also dreams of playing for his country

and has 17 years’ experience as a jiu-jitsu fighter.

in the future. “My favorite sport is indoor soccer, and I’m

“This is not just sports for sports’ sake,” says Domiciano de Souza, a member of the OOG Sustain-

working hard so that one day I can represent the Brazilian team,” he says.

Leonardo Campos (left) and Ezequias Rocha: making daily life safe and productive

informa

81

water

passes the test written by Aline Brandão and Daelcio de Freitas photos by Mario Grisolli

82 82

informa

The opening of a sewage treatment plant in the region that will host several Rio Olympics events in 2016 marks the beginning of the Foz Águas 5 utility’s operations

Community leader Carlos Renato Sampaio: a project that will boost the community’s self esteem

informa

83

I

magine a movie where different life stories come together at a given time. The setting, Rio de Janeiro, specifically the West Zone, is far removed from the famous landmarks of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, and faces

a number of social and environmental challenges.

The characters are the region’s almost 2 million inhabitants and the athletes who will be participating in the 2016 Olympic Games. Celebrities from the world’s sporting elite and ordinary people, everyday heroes who sweat and labor all year round, will come together in a film that was made to have a happy ending.

Under the 2016 Olympics Infrastructure Program, the City of Rio officially opened the Constantino Arruda Pessôa Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in the Deodoro district on June 5, World Environment Day. This occasion marked the beginning of the operations of Foz Águas 5 – a utility formed by Foz do Brasil, Odebrecht’s environmental engineering company, and Saneamento Ambiental Águas do Brasil (SAAB). It will be responsible for infrastructure investments and the operations of the sewer system for 30 years in what is known as AP-5 (Planning Area 5) of the state capital, which is divided into five major urban planning areas. The region, which covers 48% of the city’s territory, is comprised of 21

on training young athletes at the Deodoro water

districts and will host several Olympic competitions,

park, the district’s main recreational facility.

including equestrian and shooting events and the pentathlon.

Changing lives

84

“A good athlete needs to be physically and emotionally healthy to overcome their own limitations.

To achieve high performance, you need a strong, healthy body but, above all, you need self-esteem,”

While this is a prime opportunity for athletes to

says Cacá, who has high hopes about the improve-

display their talent to the world, for the local com-

ments that will be made in the region because of

munity it is a chance to have access to sewage col-

the Olympics. “The lack of basic sanitation causes

lection and treatment. Basic sanitation can make a

health problems, so people have a hard time devel-

radical change in people’s lives. This is the case with

oping a good self image as long as there are open

community leader Carlos Renato “Cacá” Sampaio,

sewers around,” he argues. “We’ll be getting lots of

39, who was born in the Deodoro neighborhood and

facilities near our community, including new access

has lived there all his life. Married with four chil-

roads and modern buildings, but we still lack the

dren, he holds a degree in Physical Education and

basics: we need essential services like sewage col-

Social Work, but spent most of his youth trying to

lection and treatment. Many residents still live near

make a living as a professional soccer player. At age

ditches full of raw sewage, and this has a major im-

23, he hung up his boots prematurely and started a

pact on public health,” he adds.

school for children and young people in the region.

In yet another project that confirms that the way

He realized that sports are an important means of

to provide universal water and wastewater services

social mobility, and today he is focusing his efforts

involves a joint effort from the public and private sec-

informa

Fernando Bessa and the plant: maximizing the region’s economic and social gains

tors, during the concession period Foz Águas 5 will

“We have a big challenge ahead, but thanks to

invest more than BRL 2.6 billion so that in 10 years

planned investments and the expertise of Foz do

it will be treating 100% of the sewage collected from

Brasil and SAAB, we are confident that local resi-

the homes of 1.5 million people. By the time the

dents will soon be seeing the positive impact of

Olympics begin, 95% of the sewage collected from

our work,” says Fernando Bessa, President of Foz

40% of the local population will be treated, thanks

Águas 5. “Increasing access to basic sanitation

to initial investments totaling BRL 600 million. “This

will enhance the economic and social gains the re-

is a fantastic win for the West Zone. Measures like

gion will get from the 2016 Olympics,” says Bessa,

these are effectively improving the environment and

stressing that this project was made possible by the

changing people’s lives,” said Rio de Janeiro Mayor

initiative and support of the City of Rio and Nova Ce-

Eduardo Paes at the opening ceremony for the sew-

dae, the company responsible for water and sewer

age treatment plant.

services in Rio de Janeiro.

Studies show that improved water and sewer

In addition to its benefits in terms of quality of life

services provide a number of socioeconomic bene-

and environmental protection, in the short term the

fits ranging from increased property values to lower

service will ensure more efficiency and speed when

public health costs. A study by the Getulio Vargas

providing sewage collection and treatment. Expec-

Foundation (FGV) conducted for the Trata Brasil In-

tations are that the organization and development of

stitute shows that in 2009 almost 70,000 children,

this system will not only enable local youth to watch

from newborn babies up to age 5, were hospitalized

the Olympics in a community with basic infrastruc-

for diarrhea in Brazil, and nearly 220,000 workers

ture but give them better conditions to represent

had to take time off work as a result.

Brazil in future Olympic Games.

informa

85

gets

as good as it

Odebrecht Run and Walk brings members and their families together to celebrate sports and enjoy a healthy lifestyle

A

written by Renata Meyer n initiative designed to encourage Group

Overcoming a sedentary lifestyle

members and their families to practice

The program starts with guidance from physical educa-

sports, the Odebrecht Run and Walk pro-

tion specialists from Assessoria Esportiva MPR, a sports

gram was held for the first time in 2007

consulting firm that is a partner of the event, who discuss

and now forms part of the Group’s regu-

the importance of sports for good health. Then, a session of

lar calendar of events. It was created under the responsi-

warm-up and stretching exercises guarantees that everyone

bility of the Health Support Area at the São Paulo Office,

is prepared for the upcoming workout. Groups are formed

as part of the program to commemorate World Health

for light and faster walks, jogs and runs according to each

Day on April 7.

person’s preference and fitness level. The end of the activi-

Held twice a year, always on a Saturday, at Villa Lobos Park in São Paulo, Odebrecht Run and Walk – which

ties is marked by a presentation by a choir formed by Group members, and a healthy breakfast.

brings together members from several of the organiza-

Statistics collected by the Health Support Area show

tion’s businesses and their families – seeks to show

that approximately 55% of members have a sedentary life-

how specific activities can enhance general wellbeing:

style. “We need to make people aware that improving their

exercise, healthy eating, child recreation, leisure, relax-

lifestyle is key to maintaining good health and preventing

ation, music, getting together with friends and family

illnesses,” observes Alice Sawamura, an Occupational

and contact with nature.

Health Nurse at the Group.

86

86 informa

photo: Edu Simões photo: Edu Simões

photo: Holanda Cavalcanti

Galbênia Costa and her husband, Jomar: healthy habits. Right, Braskem members warming up, and below, running in Villa Lobos Park: overcoming a sedentary lifestyle

Run and Walk has reported a continued increase in the

pervision. A Group leader was invited to spread the message

number of participants since its debut. There were 200 peo-

of sustainability at the last two events. “We are very lucky to

ple taking part in 2007 and approximately 1,900 at the last

work in an organization that takes sustainability seriously,”

event, which was held on April 14, 2012. It also took place in

says Marcelo Arantes, the officer Responsible for Entrepre-

Brasília this year, as an Odebrecht Realizações Imobiliárias

neurship Support (RAE), People and the Organization, In-

(Real Estate Developments – OR) initiative, and in Salvador,

formation Technology and Procurement at Braskem, at the

Bahia, under Braskem’s responsibility.

last Odebrecht Run and Walk event. On that occasion, all of

A regular at the Odebrecht Run and Walk event, Galbênia Costa, who is part of the People and Organization team at

the participants received ETH Bioenergy bags made from Braskem’s “green” plastic.

Odebrecht S.A., has taken part in almost every event. A firm

According to Galbênia Costa, the major challenges for the

believer in sporting activity, she makes a point of taking her

Group’s companies are connecting the theme of health to

husband Jomar along. He is also a member of the Group.

each business’s strategy as a factor for adding value. “Pro-

“This is a special opportunity to get together with co-work-

grams such as these should be encouraged and seen as an

ers and meet their families. The event provides an unparal-

investment, because they contribute to improving members’

leled moment for relaxing and bonding, which is impossible

quality of life and consequently boost productivity. Further-

when you have a hectic daily schedule,” she says.

more, they encourage the practice of healthy habits, create a

tance to participants under the Health Support Area’s su-

healthy culture and help make the world more sustainable,” she argues.

photo: Fernando Vivas

A team of coaches and fitness specialists provides assis-

informa

87

ARGUMENT

88

88

informa

SPORTS AND SOCIAL INCLUSION Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, furnishes an example of how sports can help build good citizens

S

ports not only benefit body and mind but they

portance. This can be measured by the reduced

are an important tool for teaching civic spirit,

need for repairs and improved conservation of the

and there are numerous reasons why chil-

schools participating in the Open Spaces Project.

dren and adolescents decide to engage in a partic-

Furthermore, young people who are actively par-

ular sport. Whether they see it as an opportunity to

ticipating in sports serve as a mirror to others who

make new friends or the means to overcoming their

become aware of their achievements and want to

own limitations, anyone who practices a physical

participate as well. Children and adolescents, most

activity recognizes its importance to the improve-

of whom had never left Macaé or even done any

ment of motor and cognitive skills and sometimes

sports before, are now winning medals and cham-

serves to motivate those around them.

pionships. When they see these results and the

The Open Spaces Project, part of the Schools

improved civic spirit and social skills of the people

in Action Program, an initiative of Odebrecht Oil &

participating in these activities, non-participants

Gas (OOG) in partnership with UNESCO and the City

want to join the groups too.

of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, since 2007 has offered

However, these youths and their families are

sports activities such as athletics, judo, capoeira

not the only ones who stand to benefit from sports.

and hockey for children and adolescents from pub-

The company also wins. In fact, everyone wins

lic schools in nearby low-income communities. On

through the promotion of sports. In addition to

weekends, these schools open their doors, and

reduced vandalism in schools, there is also a de-

volunteers from the communities help teach the

crease in the number of youths involved in crime-

classes, which are attracting a growing number of

ridden environments, gang violence, drug traffick-

students.

ing and drug abuse. OOG believes that by helping

Family members, teachers, school principals,

improve people’s quality of life in the communities

and especially the project’s young participants

where it operates, it is investing in the social inclu-

recognize the benefits. They can see significant

sion of young people (especially them), and helping

improvements in their school performance, con-

them grow and adapt to adult life.

centration and social skills. While they learn, the students have the opportunity to get together, exchange experiences and enhance their physical and mental fitness. In communities where there are no leisure facilities available, opening the schools on weekends is often the only opportunity for children and adolescents in those areas to get together and socialize.

The lower dropout rate is enhanced by increased recognition and appreciation of the school’s im-

Marco Aurélio Fonseca is the officer Responsible for Sustainability at Odebrecht Oil & Gas (OOG)

informa

89

90

informa

&

News People Reports about Odebrecht Group teams’ recent achievements in Brazil and worldwide 92

Deploying a model for agricultural, environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism in northeastern Brazil

95

Luiz de Mendonça, CEO of ETH Bioenergy, discusses the company’s accelerated growth

98

Defense & Technology: Odebrecht’s contribution to the protection of the nation’s assets

100

Folks: Rafaela Araújo, Sílvio Freitas and Bruno

photo: Almir Bindilatti

Gonçalves discuss their daily lives and passions

informa

91

Sustainable Development

Trails to new worlds Ecoethnic Tourism Route: a new vector for development in the Southern Bahia Lowlands written by Gabriela Vasconcellos photos by Almir Bindilatti

A

mid the beauty of the At-

Bahia municipalities of Taperoá and

lantic, the mingled scents

Nilo Peçanha. In its waters, tourists

of orange and cinnamon

have the chance to enjoy ziplining

trees fill the air, making the trail’s

and whitewater rafting. The first of

lush vegetation even more exuber-

three days on that route, offered in

ant. Ancient trees flank every step,

partnership with the Ativa Rafting

followed by the oil and piassava

and Adventures agency, comes to

palms characteristic of the South-

an end at the Rio das Matas lodge,

ern Bahia Lowlands in northeast-

where you can fall sleep to the

ern Brazil. This is the setting of the

sound of bird songs.

first stage of the Ecoethnic Tourism

Shortly after dawn on the second

Route, which the Institute for the

day, it’s time to start experiencing

Sustainable Development of the

the local culture of Nilo Peçanha

Southern Bahia Lowlands (IDES) is

(284 km from Salvador, the state

structuring in that region.

capital). The first stop is the head-

The idea is that visitors will be

quarters of the Pratigi Environ-

welcomed by farmers like Juvenal

mental Protection Area Farmers’

Divino, a resident of the Rio das

Cooperative (Cooprap), which sells

Matas community in Taperoá, Ba-

handicrafts, brooms and bio-jewel-

hia. A small producer, for the last

ry made from piassava fiber by local

four years he has guided groups

residents. Like the IDES, Cooprap is

interested in learning about life in

an institution linked to the Program

this part of rural Brazil. “As I walk

for the Integrated Development and

through the farm, I talk about dif-

Growth with Sustainability of the

ferent crops and show them what

Southern Bahia Lowlands Mosaic

I know, in practice,” he says. For

of Environmental Protection Areas

Divino, tourism is an opportunity to

(PDCIS), supported by the Ode-

increase his family’s income. “I get

brecht Foundation.

a daily fee and lots of tips,” he says with a smile.

92

The route goes on. In the Jatimane

quilombola

community,

At the end of the trail, the farm-

which was originally established by

er reveals a gift: the Almas River,

escaped slaves, tourists have the

which flows unhurriedly past the

opportunity to see some more of

informa

the rural workers’ routine, like that of Miltaides do Rosário, who was born and raised there. The owner of a restaurant on the Jatimane River, Miltaides offers canoe rides and visits to the nearby waterfalls. “By organizing tourism, I know we’re going to grow. I’ve had a visit from consultants from SEBRAE (the Brazilian Service to Support Micro and Small Enterprises) to conduct a diagnosis and identify our needs,” he says.

According to Márcia Mattos, the Leader of the IDES Cooperative Tourism Alliance, that is the institution’s role. “We are helping the communities network and form partnerships that will help enhance Juvenal Divino: “I walk through the farm and talk about the different crops”

the Ecoethnic Route. We look for professional training courses and marketing support. The idea is to make adjustments that will attract more visitors,” she observes.

The partnership with SEBRAE began in 2011, when the Ecoethnic Route was selected by the Talents of Rural Brazil Project. This initiative is the result of a joint effort between the Brazilian Ministries of Agrarian Development, Tourism and Environment, SEBRAE and the German Cooperation Agency, which is encouraging the inclusion of family farm products and services in tourism. Zenilda do Rosário, also a resident of Jatimane, already has the support of SEBRAE. A shellfish gatherer, she not only participates in training sessions but gets advice about running her restaurant, Restaurante

Quilombola

Pedro

Sorriso, which she named after Miltaides do Rosário: “I know we’re going to grow”

her husband. As a result, she has made changes in the structure and organization of her establishment.

“I’ve learned something new dur-

informa

93

ing each session. This is turning

A new outlook

Ecoethnic Tourism Route is the

us into a role model for the com-

Continuing to explore the lo-

first step towards consolidating a

munity. Lots of people from all

cal culture, on the third and

unique program. “This region al-

over come here for lunch,” she

last day tourists have a chance

ready offers sun and beach tour-

says. SEBRAE has invited Ze-

to visit the headquarters of

ism. We need to bring visitors

nilda to share her experience at

the Zambiapunga folk group,

in touch with the local culture

an event in the southern state of

take drumming lessons with

and strengthen the community’s

Rio Grande do Sul. “There I’ll talk

the Olopunga group and prac-

leading role in that process while

about my cassava porridge, my

tice capoeira with the Capo-

raising awareness on the struc-

smoked fish and my seafood stew.

arte group. “We’ve brought to-

turing basis of sociobiodiversity,”

Those are my specialties.”

gether people from all over the

Liliana explains. “We are seeking

After savoring the dishes cooked

Southern Lowlands to present

harmonious coexistence with na-

by Dona Nida, as she is known, our

our traditions here. This was

ture, combined with the preser-

second day on the route ends on

our dream, and now it’s com-

vation of cultural identity within a

Pratigi Beach, in the municipal-

ing true,” says Walmório do

producible and sustainable pro-

ity of Ituberá, Bahia. Roughly 15

Rosário, President of the Nilo

cess, thereby establishing agro-

km long, it is nearly deserted, with

Peçanha Zambiapunga group.

ecotourism and providing an ad-

just a few beach shacks as the only signs of human habitation.

Zenilda do Rosário: “We’re becoming a role model”

94

informa

According to Liliana Leite, Executive Director of the IDES, the

ditional source income for family units,” she concludes.

Organization

The call of new frontiers

Luiz de Mendonça has the mission of leading ETH on its growth trajectory written by Luciana Lana photo by Dario de Freitas

T

owering almost 6,000 meters above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tan-

zania, near the border with Kenya, is the highest point in Africa. A dormant volcano, its peak is covered with snow surrounded by savanna forest. This was the fascinating and challenging setting where engineer Luiz de Mendonça first had the idea of becoming the CEO of ETH Bioenergy.

“I was on vacation, climbing the mountain with my kids, when I found out about the opportunity that had just opened up at ETH,” says Luiz.

He reflected on his career within the Group and decided it was high time to take on a new challenge. At the time he was Vice President of Braskem’s International and Green Business Unit.

Then a 10-year veteran of Odebrecht, Luiz returned from Kilimanjaro to tackle a challenge that was much like climbing that mountain: ETH is a new company with tremendous potential for expansion that has seen significant growth in recent years. Active in the production and sale of ethanol, electricity

Luiz de Mendonça: “We intend to double the company’s installed capacity by 2020”

and sugar for the domestic and international markets, the company aims to become the Brazilian leader in generating clean, renewable en-

informa

95

96

ergy. It currently owns nine plants

trucks, people, shifts, dealing with

Crushing capacity

– two acquisitions and seven green-

varying weather conditions and a

Fully mechanized, the company’s

field projects (facilities built from

series of logistical issues,” Luiz

nine units comprise five production

scratch) in the Brazilian states of

observes, adding: “At the moment,

hubs and can crush up to 40 million

Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do

ETH is hitting a plateau. So far, the

tonnes (metric tons) of sugarcane to

Sul and São Paulo, and has 15,000

company has hired, on average,

produce 3 billion liters of ethanol and

members.

about 3,000 people per year, and it

2,700 GWh of electricity. To achieve

“ETH’s agro-industrial units are

ended 2011 with the major achieve-

this level of production, however,

an industry benchmark. We un-

ment of 100,000 additional hectares

the company must invest in the cane

load one roadtrain per minute. But

planted. Now it’s time to enhance

fields and plant 100,000 additional

that’s not the most striking thing

all our processes.”

hectares per year by 2014. In 2011 it

about the business for someone

“Planting better” is the first step,

crushed 13 million tonnes of sugar-

who comes from petrochemicals.

according to Luiz de Mendonça –

cane. This year the company expects

When I visited one of ETH’s agri-

and this means planning, treating

to crush 20 million tonnes, and the

cultural fronts for the first time, I

the soil, replanting when needed

forecast for 2013 is 29 million tonnes

understood the complexity of the

and leasing new land, among other

of sugarcane.

operation: unloading one roadtrain

initiatives. One of the goals is to re-

“We intend to double ETH’s in-

per minute requires huge effort

duce the cost of planting from the

stalled capacity by 2020, by which

and flawless synergy involving plant-

current BRL 5,600/hectare to BRL

time when we intend to be capable

ing, harvesting, scheduling tractors,

4,300/hectare.

of crushing more than 80 million

informa

Odebrecht Archives

ETH’s Eldorado Unit in Mato Grosso do Sul: offering direct work opportunities and investing in education, health, infrastructure and social inclusion

tonnes of sugarcane,” says Luiz.

from the juice produced by crush-

most about his new responsibilities,

Reaching that target will require

ing cane (fatty oils for the cosmetics

he says, is the challenge of recruiting

new greenfield projects, acquisi-

industry and lubricants).

people, empowering and engaging

tions and partners, and Luiz is bas-

As if this were not enough, there

them, and contributing to community

ing his business plan on a positive

are also projects underway outside

development. “ETH is exploring new

assessment of the market: meeting

Brazil. In Angola, ETH is helping build

farming frontiers. When we arrive in

the domestic demand for ethanol

a sugar mill on a 32,000-hectare area

a town, in addition to creating about

alone will require twice the com-

capable of producing 2 million tonnes

3,000 direct work opportunities, we

pany’s current production. There

of the product. In South America, the

transform people’s lives by investing

are also a number of projects un-

company’s Business Development

in education, health, infrastructure

der study with partner companies.

team is studying opportunities in Co-

and social inclusion,” says Luiz. He

Braskem, for example, is discuss-

lombia, Peru and Mexico.

adds: “The amazing thing is that we

ing the implementation of a new

From the design of a cane field to

also introduce a new way of think-

“green” polymer unit linked to an

the amount of sunlight necessary for

ing to these communities. Today our

ETH unit. Biotechnology companies

the sugarcane to grow, Luiz de Men-

members are entrepreneurs who are

are working with ETH to evaluate

donça says he has a lot to learn about

all familiar with TEO [the Odebrecht

the production of so-called second-

this new market segment. “I’ve even

Entrepreneurial Technology]. We have

generation ethanol (made from

learned that solar flares can disrupt

done an excellent job of acculturation

sugarcane bagasse) as well as the

the harvesters’ GPS systems,” he says

in such a short time, which makes us

development of various chemicals

with a smile. But what he likes the

very proud.”

informa

97

Defense & Technology

A sovereign issue

Created in 2011, ODT consolidates the Group’s initiatives in a key sector for national development written by FABIANA CABRAL

B

razil is the fifth-largest coun-

tablishment of the Brazilian Navy’s

try in the world, occupying

National Submarine Development

47% of South America, and

Program (Prosub).

Chosen by the French company

ders cover 23,000 kilometers, more

DCNS – a world leader in naval de-

than 15,700 km on land – shared with

fense – Odebrecht has joined the

10 neighboring countries – and 7,300 km of sea borders. Endowed with a varied geology, topography, climate and vegetation, Brazilian territory is known for its extensive biodiversity, water resources and vast energy po-

Roberto Simões: developing technologies

photo: HOLANDA CAVALCANTI

has a privileged geography. Its bor-

which manages the program, and Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN), the company responsible for building four conventional submarines and a nuclear submarine through technology transfer. Odebrecht In-

tential. The country is now preparing to explore the “Blue Amazon,” an

lation and democracy. The creation

fraestrutura

area covering about 4,500 square ki-

of an autonomous, technology-inde-

been tasked with building the ship-

lometers that contains the country’s

pendent national defense industry

pre-salt oil reserves, among other

has already begun. “A solid defense

riches.

industry generates new technolo-

Recently, Brazil has taken anoth-

gies and skilled job opportunities,”

er important step towards consoli-

said Roberto Simões, CEO of Ode-

dating its role on the international

brecht Odebrecht Defesa e Tecnolo-

geopolitical stage, participating as

gia (Defense & Technology, ODT).

a leader in military interventions in Haiti and the Command of the United Nations Fleet on the Lebanese coast.

98

Sepetiba Bay Consortium (CBS),

National defense To ensure border control and protect the nation’s natural resources,

However, in the past 30 years,

the Brazilian government in De-

Brazil has done little to invest in

cember 2008 launched the National

protecting its own territory. It has

Defense Strategy (END), aimed at

become necessary to update its

modernizing the Armed Forces and

defense and security systems, en-

the strengthening of the aerospace,

suring the nation’s sovereignty and

cybersecurity and nuclear sectors.

protecting its borders, wealth, popu-

One of the first initiatives was the es-

INFORMA

(Infrastructure)

has

Prosub is building four conventional submarines, like the one in this photo, and a nuclear sub, which are scheduled for delivery by 2017

Mectron: developing and manufacturing equipment used aboard civilian and military aircraft

yard and naval base in Itaguaí, Rio de

experience of service to the Armed

Janeiro, where the submarines will

Forces that consolidates complex

Protecting the nation’s assets

be built and operated. Last year, the

systems for the defense, aerospace

These projects led the Group in

company’s teams cut the first plates

and security sectors.

2011 to create Odebrecht Defesa e

Mectron manufactures missile

Tecnologia, which brings together

systems and high-technology prod-

all the organization’s initiatives in

But Odebrecht’s participation in

ucts for the aviation market, such as

the field of defense and security.

this sector does not stop there. In

radar, communications, and com-

“The Group felt that the sector is es-

2010, the company formed a joint

mand and control systems for air-

sential for the nation’s growth and

venture with Cassidian, a subsid-

craft. For the space industry, it man-

development, because it ensures

iary of the European group EADS, to

ufactures the electronics embedded

the protection of assets such as

work on the consolidation of critical

in launch vehicles and satellite sub-

water, energy and biodiversity,” ob-

defense and security systems. Last

systems, such as power, data stor-

serves Roberto.

year, the Group acquired control of

age, telemetry and remote control

Mectron, a company with 20 years’

systems.

for sections of the subs now under construction.

Since then, ODT has begun designing major projects in a highly complex environment, structuring the financial engineering of investments and absorbing, developing and deploying advanced technologies. According to Roberto Simões, the company is also contributing to the modernization of Brazil’s National Defense System as a vector of development that will stimulate the country’s industrial production.

“We have the capacity for strategic and political relationships and absorption of technology, as well as the industrial expertise to work with END and the Defense Ministry’s programs, such as SISFRON on the ‘dry’ border and SisGAAz on the ‘wet’ border,” says Roberto Simões.

INFORMA

99

FOLKS

Life of a teacher Wearing his inseparable black helmet, Sílvio has worked for the Group for 52 years

photo: Elvio Luiz

S

ílvio Freitas joined Tenenge on November 13, 1958, as a welder. In 1967, seeing that the engi-

neers wore white helmets, he decided to wear a custom black model – his trademark to this day. A member of the Odebrecht Engenharia Industrial (Industrial Engineering) team working on the PTA POY PET project in

Time for fulfillment

Pernambuco, Sílvio will celebrate his 80th birthday in

Rafaela is experiencing a very special time – in her work and personal life

the sun goes down. Although he has only studied until

E

ngineer Rafaela Elaine Araújo is the operations

October. He arrives at the jobsite at 6 am and works until the fourth grade, he is now a teacher. “I learned everything I know on the job and through work,” he explains.

manager for the Rota dos Coqueiros concession

company in Pernambuco, Brazil. This 33-year concession involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a 6.5-km stretch of road linking the state capital, Recife, with the towns of Cabo de Santo Agostinho and Ipojuca in the south of the state. According to Rafaela, Rota dos Coqueiros, a route that includes the Paiva Bridge over the Jaboatão River, has become “a landmark for Pernaming her first child in September, and is making the most of the area where she works. In her spare time in the mornings and evenings, she is often seen walking on the beach and enjoying the landscape. “We are in a place that is blessed with natural beauty,” says Rafaela

photo: Lia Lubambo foto : Holanda Cavalcanti

buco.” Born in Campina Grande, Paraíba, she is expect-

Work and family Bruno shares what he learns with his co-workers and kids

I

‘ve always wanted to learn, and Odebrecht has enabled me to do more than that. I can pass on what I’ve learned to my co-workers

and my family, says Bruno Miguel Gonçalves, the Mechanical Services supervisor for Odebrecht’s projects in Benguela Province, Angola. A 12-year Odebrecht member, he says the company has been

photo: Guilherme Afonso

his most important school. “My leaders have taught me to take care

100

of my household economy.” In his spare time, Bruno enjoys his children. He often goes to the beach with the older kids: Ronaldo, who wants to work in electronics, and Rivaldo, who dreams of becoming an Angolan soccer star.

informa

Next issue:

Environment

RESPONSIBLE FOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATION AT CONSTRUTORA NORBERTO ODEBRECHT S.A. Márcio Polidoro

Founded in 1944, Odebrecht is a Brazilian organization made up of

RESPONSIBLE FOR PUBLICATIONS PROGRAMS AT CONSTRUTORA NORBERTO ODEBRECHT S.A. Karolina Gutiez BUSINESS AREA COORDINATORS Nelson Letaif Chemicals & Petrochemicals | Andressa Saurin Ethanol & Sugar | Bárbara Nitto Oil & Gas | Daelcio Freitas Environmental Engineering | Sergio Kertész Real Estate Developments | Coordinator at Odebrecht Foundation Vivian Barbosa

quality. Its 160,000 members

EDITORIAL COORDINATION Versal Editores Editor-in-Chief José Enrique Barreiro Executive Editor Cláudio Lovato Filho English Translation H. Sabrina Gledhill Art and Graphic Production Rogério Nunes Illustrations Karmo and Adilson Secco Photo Editor Holanda Cavalcanti Electronic Publishing Maria Celia Olivieri

are present in the Americas,

Printing 900 copies | Pre-Press and Printing Pancrom

the Caribbean, Africa, Asia

EDITORIAL OFFICES Rio de Janeiro +55 21 2239-4023 | São Paulo +55 11 3641- 4743 email: versal@versal.com.br

and Europe.

Originally published in Portuguese. Also available in Spanish.

diversified businesses with global operations and world-class standards of

101

informa

photo: Fernando Vivas

“The best executives in any profession always see the people they groom and develop as the most splendid monument they can leave behind them�

TEO [Odebrecht Entrepreneurial Technology]

102

informa