Floods and the closing of the mill - 1967-1973

On the night of 25 to 26 November 1967, torrential rain caused widespread flooding of the Abelheira paper mill. Flooding did not significantly damage neither the machinery nor the facilities, which resumed work shortly afterwards, but the plant declined from its heyday under the Graham administration. Problems accumulated until it closed its doors in January 1973, and there followed the most turbulent period in the history of Abelheira paper mill, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. In 1968, the Champalimaud group purchased the company, with a view to creating a large paper manufacturer and converting company, but the plant eventually closed, putting entire families out of work.