The Portuguese Association of Industrial Archaeology (APAI) is a non-profit making institution, created in 1980 as Association of Industrial Archaeology of the Lisbon Region (AAIRL) and in 1987 it became a national association with new statutes. Its main objectives are:

• The identification, evaluation, classification and preservation of the industrial heritage and where appropriate to identify new alternative uses of the sites identified;

• The production of an inventory of the portuguese industrial heritage and its associated archaeological research;

• To promote the creation, organisation and development of the Museum of Industry, as well as regional, local and commercial museums;

• To organise both national and international scientific meetings to promoting greater understanding of both the industrial and archaeological heritage;

• To publish the results of research by the working groups;

• To promote and organise industrial archaeology courses.

• Bottle Factory, Amora (Seixal), 1982-83 (the first Portuguese industrial archaeological excavation)

• Royal Glass Factory, Coina (Barreiro), 1983-90

• Dye-Works, Royal Cloth Mill, Covilhã, 1986-89

• Lusitana-Angolana Glass Factory, Marinha Grande, 1990

• Engenho Novo Paper Mill, Paços de Brandão (Santa Maria da Feira), 1990

• Inventory of the industrial heritage within the Municipality of Amadora, 1992-93 (in colaboration with the Council of Amadora)

• Inventory of the industrial heritage within the Municipality of Vila Franca de Xira, 1993-95 (in colaboration with the Council of Vila Franca de Xira)

• Inventory of the historic factories of Lisbon, 1988-90 / 1996 (in colaboration with the Council of Lisbon and the National Institute of the Environment)

• Inventory of the factories of Oporto and Gaia, 1990-92 (with the support of the National Institute of the Environment)

• Inventory of the glass factories of Marinha Grande, 1990 (in colaboration with the Council of Marinha Grande)

• Dye-Works of the Royal Cloth Mill in Covilhã, 1986-89 - Beira Interior University (UBI), Covilhã

• Cement Museum, Maceira-Liz, Leiria, 1991

• Paper Museum, Santa Maria da Feira (in preparation)

• Lousal Mine, Grândola (in preparation)

• Glass Industry
• Wool Industry
• Paper Industry
• Mining Industry
• Transports

• 1st National Meeting on Industrial Heritage (Coimbra, Guimarães, Lisbon, 1987)

• 1st Iberian Journey on Industrial Heritage (Seville, Motril, 1990)

• 2nd Iberian Journey on Industrial Heritage (Lisbon, Seixal, 1994)

• The International Conference on the History, Technology and Industrial Archaeology of Glass (Lisbon, Marinha Grande, 1989)

• Seminar on Industrial Archaeology, Museology and Paper Manufacturing (Paços de Brandão, Santa Maria da Feira, 1992)

• Seminar on the Industrial Archaeology, History and Technology of the Wool Industry (Covilhã, 1987)

• Seminar on the Archaeology and Mining Museology (Lisbon, Lousal, 1998)

• Debate on Archaeology and the Industrial Heritage (Viseu, 1996)

• Foundation Course on Industrial Archaeology (in association with the National Centre for Culture, CNC), 1984-85

• Foundation Course on Industrial Archaeology (sponsored by the European Union), 1985

• Introductory Course on the Industrial Archaeology of Tele-Communications, the Post-Office and Transport (in co-operation with Portuguese Post and Telephone Company Museum, CTT/TLP), 1987

• Introductory Course on the Industrial Archaeology of Tele-Communications, Post-Office and Transport (organised for employees of CTT/TLP, National Airport Company-ANA, Lisbon Urban Transports Company-CARRIS and Portuguese Railway Company-CP), 1987

• Museology and Conservation of Materials (with CTT/TLP), 1987

• Introductory Course: Archaeology for Specialised Tourism Guides (in co-operation with the National Centre for Culture, CNC), 1987-90

• Foundation Course on Industrial Archaeology for the Researchers of the Industrial Heritage Inventories - Municipalities of Amadora (1992), Vila Franca de Xira (1993) and Seixal (1995)

• E-FAITH - European Federation of Industrial Heritage Associations
• The International Commission on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
• The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage (TICCIH)
• The European Forum of Heritage Associations
• The Institute for the Promotion of the Environment
• The Portuguese Confederation of Associations for the Protection of the Environment
• The Science Museum Support Association
• The National Centre for Culture (CNC)
• The Portuguese Railway Friends Association

• SEDPGYM - Sociedad Española para la Defensa del Patrimonio Geológico y Minero

APAI has also been promoting the classification of industrial buildings and sites by the governmental authorities.