The international distinction was celebrated on October 21st at the facilities of the Alhandra Production Centre Museum. The Mayor, Fernando Paulo Ferreira, praised the resilience of the company and its generations of workers, highlighting the vision for the future and the investment of nearly 200 million euros in the factory's decarbonization. "Portugal and Vila Franca de Xira need industries with a future, with modernity, with innovation," stated the mayor.
The Mayor also mentioned CIMPOR's "strong connection with the community's vital forces" and announced a project to redevelop and revive the historic Salvador Marques Theatre in Alhandra, in which CIMPOR will collaborate. The CEO of CIMPOR Portugal and Cape Verde, Cevat Mert, emphasized that the recognition "celebrates much more than longevity," honoring the capacity to innovate and keep Alhandra at the forefront of the sector, with a legacy built by its people and community.
The Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Hugo Espírito Santo, deemed it remarkable to have the world's oldest cement factory in Portugal, a source of pride that dates back to the "birth of modern Portugal" and the "construction of the contemporary country," highlighting the industrial resilience and adaptation of the unit.
The Alhandra Production Centre began construction in 1890 and started production around 1894. It currently remains a strategic unit for CIMPOR, with an annual production capacity of 2.8 million tons of cement and over 150 workers.
