Brazil: At least two certified plants supplying ethanol to major global airlines implicated in recent slave labour scandals, says report; incl. co. response
In December 2024 Repórter Brasil published an investigation into working conditions on sugarcane plantations in the supply chains of ethanol, as an alternative fuel gaining traction among large, global airlines. It said at least two certified plants supplying ethanol had been linked to exposes into "slave" labour, including allegations of poor living and working conditions, recruitment fee charges and lax health and safety standards.
Producers within the value chain included BP Bunge and The Corupie Mill, which count among its clients BP Bunge Bioenergia, Raizen which manages Shell gas stations, Grupo Ipiranga and Vibra Energia which manages Petrobras gas stations. Repórter Brasil contacted all companies to invite them to respond to the allegations, their responses are highlighted in the report. The Resource Centre contacted Petrobras to invite it to respond to the allegations; a full response can be read below.