Foundation of Sonae

SONAE was founded in Maia, where it has its head office, with the purpose of producing decorative high pressure laminates.

LAMINITE was launched on the market and is today known worldwide as the Sonae Indústria decorative laminate.

The expansion and diversification of Sonae Indústria began in 1971, upon taking over Novopan, a particleboard factory located near Porto. At the same time, the first melamine coating line in Portugal was installed and production of components for the furniture and interior design industries began.

Sonae Indústria was the leader in the particleboard sector in Portugal and began its process of internationalisation and expansion through the acquisition of a particleboard company in the United Kingdom.

Purchase of Tafisa

Purchase of Tafisa in Canada, which is today one of the biggest particleboard factories in the world, plus new factories in Brazil (for particleboard and MDF panels) and in South Africa (particleboard).

Purchase of Glunz (Germany) and Isoroy (France).

Purchase of Sappi Novobord in South Africa. At the same time, Sonae Indústria began an ambitious diversification programme of its product range and modernisation of its technical assets, making major investments in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Brazil and Canada.

Partnership with Tarkett (Germany) – 2005. Purchase of Hornitex (Germany) and Darbo (France) – 2006.

Strategic partnership with Arauco.

Launch of the new Innovus collection