CIMPOR celebrates 50 years of the Souselas Plant

The celebration was attended by the Mayor of Coimbra, José Manuel Silva, the Chairman of the Souselas and Botão Parish Council, Rui Soares, and the employees who have been the pillars of the unit's success over the last five decades.

Operating since November 1974, the Souselas Plant has played a crucial role in the economic and social development of the region, standing out as a benchmark for innovation and sustainability. From the start-up of its first production line, with an initial capacity of 500 000 t of clinker per year, to the implementation of modern technologies that reinforce its commitment to decarbonisation, the plant has constantly evolved to respond to market challenges and environmental demands.

Over the course of 50 years, the Souselas Plant has achieved impressive milestones, such as the accumulated production of more than 69 million t of clinker and the processing of around 667 000 t of alternative fuels, reflecting CIMPOR's commitment to the circular economy and the reduction of CO₂ emissions. To secure the future, the plant is implementing innovative projects such as the rehabilitation of Line 2 for the production of calcined clays, the installation of photovoltaic plants and a commitment to co-processing and heat recovery, with a view to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Among the projects to be implemented, the Director of the CIMPOR Souselas Plant, Susana Coimbra, highlights ‘the conversion of the 2nd production line to introduce calcined clays in cement production, as this is a pioneering project in Portugal and the impact it will have on the local economy. In addition to the environmental aspect associated with this project, it is an operation that will contribute to the creation of local jobs, boosting the economy and making the production process more sustainable.’

The growth and technological development of the plant will also allow it to continue to deepen its positive social impact strategy. According to the Chairman of the Souselas and Botão Parish Council, Rui Soares, ‘it is important for the Souselas and Botão Parish Council that this relationship with CIMPOR continues. We have a protocol that has been very well utilised. If it weren't for this protocol, it wouldn't be possible to provide the local population with such important benefits, such as a bus. We have a strategy for the future and, in 50 years' time, we'll look back and see that it was worth it.’

Also looking to the future, the Mayor of Coimbra, José Manuel Silva, welcomed ‘all the efforts that CIMPOR has made to improve its environmental performance. I also welcome this ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, but even before 2050. You can count on us to collaborate in everything that is necessary, because that is also our wish, it is beneficial for everyone.’

During the celebration, the participants had the opportunity to revisit the history of the unit and learn about the strategic projects that are shaping its future. Among the highlights were the recent installation of a 1 MW photovoltaic plant and plans for a new 10 MW plant by 2025, a 7.4 MW waste gas heat recovery system to generate electricity (Waste Heat Recovery), due to start up in February 2025, and the implementation of a 10 MW green hydrogen plant in 2026, as a reinforcement of the commitment to renewable energies.

With this celebration, CIMPOR reaffirms the role of the Souselas Plant as a driving force for innovation and sustainability in the cement sector, for a more sustainable future and for the development of the region.

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Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/04122024/cimpor-celebrates-50-years-of-the-souselas-plant/