With the construction of the railway connecting Lugoj and Ilia, the small town of Margina caught the attention of investors eager to capitalize on its strategic location. In 1910, the Budapest-based Razskatol Society commissioned a German firm to design and construct a wood distillation factory, aimed at processing beechwood through chemical distillation. Operations commenced in 1912, but the outbreak of World War I led to the factory’s closure. After a hiatus, production resumed in 1921 under predominantly Romanian ownership, marking the beginning of a new industrial chapter for Margina.
Nine years later, the factory expanded its production scope to include acetone, a key component in various industrial and wartime applications. Soon after, management introduced a new installation for producing vinegar from wine, further diversifying the factory’s portfolio. The facility also launched a pickling section, processing cucumbers and other vegetables, with a seasonal capacity of up to 20 railcars—a testament to the factory’s growing significance in regional food production.
The post-war era brought dramatic changes to the industrial landscape of Romania. On June 11, 1948, the factory was nationalized and rebranded as Distileria de Lemn Severin. Two decades later, it was integrated into the chemical section of the Solventul Industrial Complex in Timișoara, an expansive operation employing over 600 workers at its peak. The factory thrived under the centralized economy, contributing to the region’s industrial output and providing stable employment for the local population.
However, like much of Romania’s heavy industry, the vinegar factory struggled in the wake of the 1989 Revolution. The transition from a state-controlled economy to a market-driven one proved to be a significant challenge, and the facility entered a period of decline throughout the 1990s. With dwindling demand, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of investment, the factory ultimately succumbed to the broader economic shifts affecting post-communist Romania. Today, only remnants of its once-thriving operations remain—a silent testament to Margina’s industrial past and the fleeting nature of economic prosperity in a rapidly changing world.
Source: prinbanat.ro
Photos & text: Alex Iacob
Am remarcat si eu frumusetea acestei cladiri in drumurile mele. Ar fi un mare castig pentru comunitatea locala si nu doar, sa ii gaseasca un nou sens.