Since its inauguration in 1974 under the name Celnorte – Celulose do Norte, this mill has become a European benchmark in the packaging paper sector. Since 2019, with its integration into the portfolio of the multinational DS Smith following the acquisition of the Europac Group, it has further consolidated its relevance, remaining at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
The factory's location in Viana do Castelo resulted from strategic planning carried out in the 1960s, when the region offered ideal conditions for a large-scale project. It was always assumed that the company's main markets would be abroad. Hence, the proximity of a seaport to transport the finished product was a significant advantage, says Mário Amaral, currently responsible for the company's integration projects. Around 30 per cent of current sales still depend on the port of Viana do Castelo. In addition, the abundance of pine forests in the region and investment incentives at a time when the Alto Minho lacked economic dynamism also helped in the choice of location.
Today, the Viana plant stands out in the DS Smith universe. ‘While in most of the other units of the Group, the end product is based solely on recycling paper, the Viana do Castelo unit produces paper made with virgin fibre and recycled fibre, which allows the end product to have better resistance capabilities,’ explains Mário Amaral. This technical difference, and excellent performance in terms of energy consumption and operating efficiency, positions the mill as one of the most efficient in Europe, reflecting Portugal's capacity for innovation and competitiveness in the sector.
