History of the Industrial Park

PADA is located within the old Companhia União Fabril (CUF) industrial park in Barreiro.

Founded in 1871 by the industrialist Alfredo da Silva, CUF was one of the largest corporations in Portugal, exporting products worldwide an employing 10 000 people. CUF utilized resources from throughout the Portuguese colonies producing a diverse range of goods from petrochemicals to carpets. The company's motto, created by Alfredo da Silva, was: "What the country doesn’t have... CUF creates''.

As a result of the Carnation Revolution and the fall of the Estado Novo regime in 1974, the family of José de Mello, heir of Alfredo da Silva, had to leave Portugal. CUF collapsed and was forcibly nationalized. 

In 1979, the founding family resumed its business activity in Portugal and would proceed to found the Grupo José de Mello. Step by step, CUF was revived with the acquisition of several chemical industry assets in the country.

Since 2008 the area is redifining itself under the management of Baia do Tejo. Currently, the Industrial Park is home to 5 museums and archives that document the fascinating history of the area.

PADA has access to unique areas where the old brutalist remains of the CUF empire stand, such as the old paint factory or the north side with its vast empty warehouses, crumbling concrete structures and the now decontaminated pyrite fields. The post-industrial landscape offers a unique opportunity for artistic interventions.