SOLUBEMA

History written in stone.

We are one of the largest marble extraction companies in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe.
We have been dedicated to the extraction of marble blocks since 1928, at our one-square-kilometre quarry located at Herdade da Vigária, in the heart of the Alentejo, from where marbles regarded as among the most precious in Portugal are extracted.

  • A European pioneer in the extraction of crystalline marbles.

24 July 1928 — Foundation

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Herdade da Vigária deposit was defined by Leopoldo Portas and the Belgian entrepreneur Georges Demoustier, both mining engineers, as the most promising site for establishing an industrial marble operation. This led to the creation of SOLUBEMA – Sociedade Luso-Belga de Mármores, founded on 24 July 1928, which acquired ownership of the Herdade da Vigária estate.

1932 — Benjamin Franklin Memorial in Philadelphia

With the support of the associated Belgian company De Merbes-Sprimont, specialised in marble, SOLUBEMA immediately introduced mechanical extraction methods in its quarries, using winches and wagons, and cutting deposits with helical wire — radically transforming former manual working processes.

Major export orders of Vigária marble blocks quickly followed, the most significant being the shipment used for the construction of the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in Philadelphia (1932).

From 1974 to 1993

The outstanding quality of SOLUBEMA marbles steadily gained international recognition throughout the 20th century, being specified in landmark projects across Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

In 1974, ETMA (Empresa Transformadora dos Mármores do Alentejo) was established from SOLUBEMA — a factory dedicated to the processing of Alentejo marbles.

Mission

With its own quarries and strong production capacity, SOLUBEMA maintains a substantial block stockyard that enables the execution of complex works and the fulfilment of demanding projects and clients worldwide within optimal timeframes — extending the reputation of Portuguese marble across the globe.

Social Responsibility, Ethics and Environmental Policy

SOLUBEMA uses modern low-impact equipment in its extraction processes. The carbon cost of its production is among the lowest in the construction sector. Unlike many human activities, our processes interact positively with nature, creating numerous ecological habitats that encourage biodiversity.

In line with its social responsibility principles, SOLUBEMA promotes a range of local initiatives, investing in heritage, cultural, and community-based projects.

Health and Safety

At SOLUBEMA, we maintain a safe working environment through the strict application of all workplace Health and Safety regulations, in full compliance with current legislation.