Projects

516 Arouca the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world

07 February 2022

Suspended in the sky, in the middle of the Arouca Geopark - a recognised UNESCO Global Geopark - lies the 516 Arouca bridge, connecting the Canelas and Alvarenga riverbanks.

The 516 Arouca is composed of steel railings and cables, forming its 516-metre-long span, with a width of 1.20 metres, and 175-metre-height as it towers above the Paiva River.

The metal grid decking, which is supported by dozens of steel cables, rests on two concrete pillars. Supplied by Betão Liz- Esmoriz, a CIMPOR Group company, the main concrete used in these projectswas C30/37.S4.XC4(P).D22.Cl0,4 (CPF). The main supply difficulty encountered was the time taken to reach the site, which could be up to 2 hours, requiring special adjuvants to ensure the concrete remained workable for a longer time.

Crossing the 516 Arouca bridge is a fantastic experience, but there is so much more to enjoy here

Whether from the top of the bridge or on the footpaths leading up to it, the views are spectacular and the surrounding natural world is mostly untouched.

In this classified area, which is part of Rede Natura 2000, eagle-eyed visitors are likely to see several magnificent species of bird, from the large short-toed snake eagle to the tiny two-tailed pasha, in what is also the natural habitat of roe deer, wild rabbits, red squirrels, otters, Iberian wolves, common buzzards and so many more.

Home to hundreds of animals, some of which are endangered species, the geopark is a true refuge for so much fauna. Beyond the fauna, the flora is also diverse and rich here throughout the year.

Click here for more information and a video of the iconic structure in the Municipality of Arouca.

Ibera Alenteste has reached an important milestone by obtaining accreditation from the Portuguese Accreditation Institute (IPAC) to carry out tests to determine the compressive strength of concrete. This certification reinforces the laboratory’s technical competence and marks the launch of a new business area dedicated to providing accredited laboratory services.

On 25th June, the Ibera Alenteste Laboratory, located in Évora, received Accreditation Certificate L0875, awarded by IPAC, for carrying out tests to determine the compressive strength of concrete.

This accreditation represents a strategic step for the company, enabling it to expand its range of services to the market through the performance of accredited laboratory tests, which are essential for ensuring the quality and performance of concrete used in construction projects.

By recognising the laboratory’s technical capability to carry out this test in accordance with the highest standards of quality, rigour and reliability, IPAC’s accreditation reinforces the confidence of clients and partners in the services provided by Ibera. At the same time, it highlights CIMPOR’s ongoing commitment to technical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement, contributing to an increasingly sophisticated response to the demands of the construction sector.

This recognition represents an important step in strengthening Ibera’s capabilities and diversifying its business, creating new opportunities for growth and value creation for customers and partners.

Sustainability

CIMPOR strengthens its commitment to operational excellence

CIMPOR Indústria de Cimentos has renewed the certifications of its Quality, Occupational Health and Safety, and Environmental Management Systems, while also maintaining its Energy Management System certification.

Recognized by APCER, these certifications attest that CIMPOR’s management systems comply with the requirements established by the respective international standards and reflect the Company’s commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence

As a result of the audit of the QASE Integrated Management System (Quality, Environment, Health & Safety and Energy), certification against the following standards was confirmed:

· NP EN ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System;

· NP EN ISO 45001:2023 – Occupational Health and Safety Management System;

· NP EN ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System;

· NP EN ISO 50001:2019 – Energy Management System.

EMAS III Registrations (voluntary participation in the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) for the Souselas, Alhandra and Loulé plants, with the publication of their Environmental Statements updated in 2025, demonstrate the three plants’ commitment to the continuous improvement of their environmental performance and to transparency in reporting it.

These certifications cover areas that are essential to CIMPOR’s activities, namely quality, occupational health and safety, energy efficiency and environmental performance, and reflect our responsibility in managing the resources and processes associated with cement production, promoting safe and efficient operations and high standards of quality.

The renewal and maintenance of these certifications represent an important recognition of the work carried out and the dedication of our teams. We are proud of this achievement, which motivates us to continue improving, consolidating the progress made and consistently raising the standards of excellence across our operations.

Events

Leadership, Innovation and People: CIMPOR's Participation in "Liderar o Invisível"

CIMPOR took part in the latest episode of the videocast "Liderar o Invisível: O Futuro do Trabalho entre a IA e o Fator Humano", an initiative of the Observatório do Futuro do Trabalho, promoted by Jornal Económico Lab.

The episode featured Rita Baptista, CIMPOR's Chief Human Resources Officer, who joined a panel of experts to discuss the challenges of leadership in a context shaped by digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the evolving nature of organisations.

During the discussion, Rita Baptista shared CIMPOR's vision for organisational transformation, highlighting that innovation only creates real value when it is accompanied by the development of people. She also emphasised the importance of fostering a culture based on proximity, trust, transparent communication, and employee empowerment, key factors in preparing organisations for the challenges of the future.

The discussion also explored topics such as building a shared culture across a company with diverse operational environments, the role of leadership in managing change, and the importance of creating development opportunities that balance technological innovation with human growth.

CIMPOR's participation in this initiative reinforces the company's commitment to responsible, people-centred leadership and to building a more innovative, sustainable organisation, ready to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving market.

We invite you to watch the episode and discover how CIMPOR is shaping the future of work by placing people at the heart of transformation: Liderar na Era da Inteligência Artificial: o que está a mudar nas empresas

516 Arouca the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world

Related Articles