A complex project on a global scale

Located just outside Porto, Portugal, the former Matosinhos Refinery is being transformed following the decision by Galp Energia to cease refining operations at the site.

Hughes & Salvidge successfully won a competitive tender to become Principal Contractor for the demolition and dismantling works in early 2024. The project forms the second and most technically challenging phase of a three-phase programme, with a two-year programme of works.

Covering approximately 2.37 million square metres, the site presents a unique combination of scale, complexity and environmental considerations.

Our scope includes the demolition of redundant plant and equipment to ground level, removal of redundant pipework, tanks and bases, removal of waste arisings and the management and removal of hazardous materials. Works are being undertaken across 18 distinct process areas, including aromatic and fuel plants, water services, turbines, air systems, base oil plants, the vacuum/visbreaker, co-generation plant and administration facilities.

Demolition within a highly sensitive environment

The scale of the site is only one element of the challenge.
Demolition has been undertaken across 18 process areas adjacent to operational refinery assets, residential communities, a public beach, a hospital and Porto Airport, within a live Seveso-regulated environment.

This required extensive planning and control measures around areas including traffic management, working at height, lifting operations, asbestos removal, environmental risks, dust, noise, vibration, air quality, water pollution, waste management and residual hydrocarbons.

The project team also had to ensure that demolition activities could be delivered safely while protecting surrounding people, infrastructure and the environment.

Developing a first-of-its-kind solution for an asbestos-packed cooling tower

One of the project's most significant technical challenges was the demolition of a cooling tower containing approximately 280 tonnes of asbestos-cement packing.

Rather than relying on a conventional approach, Hughes & Salvidge developed a specialist methodology for the mechanical demolition of the asbestos-packed structure and secured regulatory approval for what was Portugal's first mechanically demolished asbestos-packed cooling tower.
The approach provided a controlled solution for managing one of the site's most challenging structures while maintaining the project's wider safety and environmental requirements.

Safety, recovery and environmental performance

From the outset, safety and environmental management have been central to the delivery strategy.

During the assessment period highlighted within the World Demolition Awards submission, the project achieved 57,600 man-hours without a reportable safety or environmental incident.

The project has also delivered significant material recovery, achieving a 93% recycling rate and recovering more than 23,600 tonnes of material.
These results demonstrate the importance of integrating demolition, dismantling, hazardous material management and material recovery into a single, carefully controlled project strategy.

They also reflect Hughes & Salvidge's wider commitment to delivering demolition responsibly, with materials identified, segregated and recovered wherever practicable.

From Portsmouth to Portugal

Matosinhos represents an important milestone in the continued international development of Hughes & Salvidge.

Established in 1964, we have spent more than six decades developing expertise across complex demolition, decommissioning and dismantling projects. Our international work builds on this experience, taking the same focus on safety, quality, environmental performance and operational control into increasingly challenging global environments.

The Portugal project is a strong example of this approach: combining experienced people, specialist plant, detailed planning and innovative demolition methodologies to deliver safely within a complex industrial environment.

It is also a clear demonstration of our Complete Demolition Solution, bringing demolition, dismantling, hazardous material management and material recovery together under one integrated approach.

Recognised on the world stage

Being shortlisted for the 2026 World Demolition Awards: Industrial Demolition category is recognition of the people behind the project and the standards they have maintained throughout its delivery.

The winners will be announced at the World Demolition Summit gala dinner in Madrid on 5 November 2026, where Hughes & Salvidge will join the other shortlisted companies from across the international demolition industry.

Whatever the outcome, the shortlist represents an important milestone for Hughes & Salvidge as we continue to expand our international capabilities and deliver complex industrial demolition projects beyond the UK.

Global expertise. Industry recognition.