Exlabesa has presented an ambitious €40 million investment plan that will consolidate the Coimbra region as a strategic hub for the aluminium industry in Europe. The initiative, named Exlabesa Coimbra 2030, aims to significantly expand the company’s Soure plant while strengthening its industrial, technological, and sustainability leadership.

The investment plan was officially presented during a press conference held at the Coimbra factory, attended by the Mayor of Soure, Rui Fernandes, members of the municipal administration, and leading Portuguese media. Fernandes described the project as “a key factor in the municipality’s socio-economic development,” highlighting Exlabesa’s positive impact during its three years of activity in the region.

As part of the expansion, the Soure plant will triple its surface area from 10,000 m² to 30,000 m² and increase annual production capacity from 16,000 to 45,000 tonnes. The project includes the installation of three new extrusion presses, one of them a 12-inch, 45 MN press, along with a state-of-the-art coating line. According to Ramón Vázquez, General Manager of Exlabesa Portugal, the site will become “one of the most advanced facilities in Portugal in terms of production capacity and technological innovation.”

Industry 4.0 technologies will be integrated across the plant, enabling full process control, traceability, and efficiency. These capabilities will allow Exlabesa to manufacture aluminium profiles with advanced dimensions and technical specifications, opening new opportunities in high-value sectors such as naval, defence, and mobility.

Sustainability is a central pillar of the Coimbra 2030 strategy. The company plans to increase the use of recycled aluminium from 60% to 90% and further reduce its carbon footprint through process optimisation and material recovery. “It is not only about producing more, but about producing better,” Vázquez noted.

The project will also generate 300 new jobs by 2030, in addition to the current workforce, with a strong emphasis on training and local talent development. Mayor Rui Fernandes underlined the regional importance of the initiative, stating that the investment is already underway and represents a benchmark for innovation, knowledge, and long-term economic growth in Soure.