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Constitución Plant Celebrates 50 Years Driving Development from Maule to the World
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Since it began operations in 1975, this pulp plant has established itself as one of the most important industrial hubs in Maule, generating employment, innovation, and sustainable development for the region and the country.
The commemorative milestone, held at the plant's own facilities, brought together over 500 people, including company executives and workers, regional and local authorities, historical leaders, community representatives, and neighbors from different sectors of the commune. The event marked an emotional gathering of different generations that have been part of this history.
The day was a journey through these five decades and a tribute to those who have contributed to the growth of the plant and the commune, reaffirming the commitment to continue building sustainable development for people and the planet from Constitución.
From Maule to the World
Nestled between the hills and the sea, just as envisioned in its original blueprints by French engineers, the plant is dedicated to producing unbleached UKP-type pulp, made from pine wood grown in sustainable forests. This product is exported to various global markets and used in the manufacturing of packaging paper, cardboard, fiber cement, and specialty containers. Its uses are everyday—from bread bags to school flip charts.
"Constitución Plant is the company's oldest operating facility and a symbol of our evolution. It has been key in our transition from a local business to a global company, without ever losing our connection or pride in our origins in this beloved city," said Cristián Infante, General Manager of ARAUCO.
Local Development
Over this half-century, Constitución Plant has been a driver of direct and indirect employment, a hub for industrial innovation, and a training ground for thousands of workers. For Constitución Mayor Carlos Valenzuela, the plant has had a major impact on the commune's history and its future outlook.
"This is a historic moment. It is a privilege to be present for the 50th anniversary of the most important company in Constitución, the true engine of our local economy. This commemoration is also an opportunity to appreciate the strong dialogue we have built and reaffirm our commitment to continue working together with the plant," said the mayor.
The impact of Constitución Plant on the local economy translates into the employment of over 3,500 direct and indirect workers and the contracting of transportation, logistics, food, lodging, and many other local services.
History
In the 1960s, the community itself organized town meetings to advocate for the plant's establishment. Since then, the relationship with the territory has been close, resulting in projects like the Sustainable Reconstruction Program (PRES) after the 2010 earthquake, or the education of generations of families through Colegio Constitución, founded in 1980 and now recognized as one of the best schools in the country.
The arrival of the plant also boosted economic tourism in the city, with lodging, services, and commerce that thrive especially during industrial events like the General Plant Shutdowns (PGP), which this year will mobilize over 1,200 temporary workers.
Future
Constitución Plant Manager José Luis Vallejos expressed the commitment to extend operations for the next 50 years alongside the community. "This anniversary is a milestone that fills us with pride and deep joy. It represents five decades of uninterrupted work, constant improvement, and real commitment, led by the women and men of Constitución for the development of their own community. Today, ARAUCO is what it is thanks to the efforts of those who came before us, and that legacy inspires us to continue fostering this virtuous relationship with the commune, looking not only at what we have built but also at the next 50 years of collaboration, sustainability, and shared growth," said the executive.
Vallejos highlights that today, over 80% of the plant's waste is reused, and an online emissions monitoring system is being implemented, along with energy efficiency initiatives and renewable energy generation from biomass.
Alongside other industrial and forestry facilities in the area, such as the Quivolgo Nursery, with nearly a million plants, or the Viñales Complex, which generates clean energy from wood byproducts, Constitución Plant is part of an ecosystem that combines development, conservation, and local employment.
Fifty years after its inception, this operation continues to look toward the future with the same spirit it was born with: being a bridge between the forest and people, between innovation and environmental care, between Constitución and the world.
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