Ambigroup

Our History

History

Established in 1983, it began as a family business, which has shown remarkable growth over the years, focusing on sustainability, circular economy and innovation.

João Romana de Além was a visionary entrepreneur who began his working career in the freight transportation sector in Lisbon. He quickly realized that there was an opportunity to optimize business and maximize profits.

By observing the market, he identified the potential of transforming scrap into a profitable source of business. He decided to explore this opportunity and began dedicating himself entirely to the scrap trade in 1978.

Later, in 1983 he founded his first company João Romana de Além Filhos, Lda, with the support of his wife and children.

João Romana de Além's vision and leadership allowed the company to grow and prosper, providing jobs and contributing to the local economy. Over time, the Ambigroup SGPS group was created and became an example of business success and environmental responsibility.

In addition to its activities in the scrap trade, Ambigroup also diversified its business, depending on the evolution and emerging needs of the market. The company now offers complete solutions, from Metal Recycling and Material Transformation, Waste Collection, Transportation and Waste Treatment to Dismantling and Demolition.

The business has been passed down through generations, with the children currently continuing it, exploring new opportunities and expanding its operations. The group is committed to promoting sustainability and a circular economy, constantly looking for innovative ways to reuse materials and reduce waste.

Established in 1983, it began as a family business, which has shown remarkable growth over the years, focusing on sustainability, circular economy and innovation.

Four decades of experience in numbers

1978

1983

1993

1995

2000

2001

2004

2006

2008

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Beginning of work in the scrap trading activity, by the founders Mr. João Romana de Além and Celeste Ferreira.

Creation of the first company - João Romana de Além e Filhos Lda, dedicated to collecting and sorting scrap and selling materials for reuse.

The company João Romana exclusively handles the steel products and reuse materials business.

Creation of the company Recifemetal - Reciclagem de Ferros e Metais Lda.

The opportunity for internationalization arose, with a company in Spain, called Recifer Ibérica, S.A. At the end of that same year, the first major imports of steel products began to occur between Portugal and Spain.

First dismantling activities.

First major investment in new infrastructures.

Recifemetal began its first activities in the area of dismantling, by participating in the dismantling of the Petrogal Refinery in the location currently known as Parque das Nações.

That same year, the Mague factory in Alverca was demolished.

Acquisition of the group's transportation company, currently known as Ambigroup Serviços.

Growth in the dismantling and demolition activity.

Investments in specialized equipment for demolition at height and for the treatment of inert waste.

It was also in this year that the first large-scale works were carried out, namely the dismantling of the ADP Factory, Barreiro, for Quimiparque. In Recifemetal Espanha, activity increases with the dismantling of the Valedecaballeros Nuclear Power Plant, for Iberdrola.

Awarding of the first Thermal Power Plant in Spain - CT Escombreras, Cartagena, Múrcia.

Demolition of Portucel Recicla (Mourão).

Creation of the company Ambitrena in Setúbal to expand the Waste Management activity.

Demolition and decontamination of soil for the construction of the Alqueva dam.

Recifemetal Espanha carried out the dismantling of the Escombreras Thermal Power Plant.

Construction of the headquarters building in Arranhó.

Certification process for classification as a Construction Contractor (Public and Private works permit) and Civil Construction Industry (CCI).

Creation of waste reception units in Faro and later Beja and Aveiro.

Creation of Holding Ambigroup SGPS.

With the creation/development of several Business areas, there was a need to create new entities. The Ambigroup SGPS S.A holding company was created with the aim of consolidating the many existing business areas.

Change of company name to Recifemetal España, S.L.

Beginning of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste treatment activity.

In 2006, the company Recielectric, S.A. was created, providing technological means for the decontamination and dismantling of this type of waste.

First major investment in the transportation company's fleet (Multibennes and Polibennes).

First Quality certification.

Creation of the company Recipolymers S.A. to address the lack of plastic recycling solutions, arising from WEEE, VFV, and the increased reception at the group's many units. A few months later, the recycling company expanded to a unit in Chamusca.

Installation of the group's first RDF production unit in the north of the country, followed shortly afterwards by the installation of two other units located in the center and south of Portugal.

Installation of 3 Refuse-Derived Fuel production units.

Dismantling of the first wind farm (Lagoa Funda) in Vila do Bispo.

Expansion of the Seixal park.

Consolidation of several business areas and implementation of environmental certification systems in group companies.

This year several business areas were certified for Quality (ISO 9001), environment (ISO 14002) and safety (OHSAS 18001).

2012 was a year marked by the group's entry into the Ecoparque do Seixal activity, which includes the installation of metal fragmentation and separation lines as well as a Construction and Demolition Waste recycling unit.

Start of new operations of metal's density based sorting and separation.

Group company merger and change of brand image to Ambigroup

A very relevant year for the group, as there was a rebranding, which allowed the brand's image to be reinforced, helped to define its position in the market and also to enhance recognition among the public. All these changes aimed to unify the different companies in the group, in order to increase growth as best as possible, increase customer satisfaction and finally consolidate the competitive position in the market.

Merger DEMOTRI - Demolições e Construção S.A./Ambigroup Demolições.

Recifemetal Espanha member of AEDED.

Ambigroup Resíduos recognized as an SME excellence Seal.

Plastic density separation lines.

1st Controlled demolition using explosives - Refrigeration Tower (122m) ELCOGAS Central (Puertollano).

2nd Controlled demolition using explosives - Gasification Tower (81m) ELCOGAS Central (Puertollano).

Class Increase of Ambigroup Demolições' Construction Permit for public works to the maximum of 6.

Start of the Dismantling and Demolition Contract for the Setúbal Thermoelectric Power Station.

Start of work at Carregado Thermoelectric Power Station.

Ambigroup enters the D&RI100 list at position 88.

New installation of Waste from Eletrical and Electronic Equipment's (WEEE) recycling process.

Solar Panels in Seixal.

3rd Controlled demolition using explosives - Chimneys (200m) Setúbal Thermoelectric Power Station.

Ambigroup rises in the D&RI100 list to position 87.

Award for the dismantling of the Compostilla Coal-Powered Central Historic Site, in the North of Spain.

Completion of the Demolition and Dismantling Contract for CT Setúbal.

4th Demolition controlled with explosive resources - Silo (78.5m) LafargeHolcim (Los Bairros).

Ambigroup rises again in the D&RI100 list to 76th position.

Life 4 F-gases project.

Greater investment in sustainability with more installation of solar panels in other units and renewal of the fleet for electric cars.

Completion of the Demolition and Dismantling Contract for CT Carregado.

Ambigroup rises again in the D&RI100 list to 52nd position.

40 years of Ambigroup.

QAS certification for Ambigroup Demolições.

Company growth strategy

We are a leading company in the environmental management sector, committed to providing innovative and sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges faced by society.

As part of our growth strategy, we focus our efforts on several key pillars in order to consolidate our market position and expand our services.

At the forefront of environmental management, we follow trends and technological advances in the sector. We focus on a strategy of continuous improvement, to ensure that we are always aligned with the best practices and environmental standards.

We want to maintain the diversification and complementarity of the offer in the treatment and recovery of waste. We invest in new technologies and methodologies to improve our production processes. We have a highly qualified technical team, which works closely with our customers, in order to develop innovative solutions.

The experience gained in projects in various industrial sectors allows us to customize solutions to meet the specific needs of each client.

We constantly seek operational excellence and customer satisfaction, strengthening our commercial relationships and expanding our customer base.

Mission, Vision and Values

Group Companies