The AO peroxide plant at Povoa, Lisbon

The site, shared by Interox Portuguesa and Soda Povoa, a daughter company of Solvay, is some 30 minutes journey by car from the centre of Lisbon and on the banks of the River Tegus, in a rapidly developing industrial area. The old villages and customs remain. It is not unusual when approaching the site through twisting village streets, to be halted at a level crossing consisting of chains draped across the road by white‐haired old ladies dressed in black. With a wait of 20 minutes or more, the local word ‘paciencia’ (patience) is uppermost in your mind.