Alphonse Emsens founded the Eternit fibre cement factory in Haren near Brussels in 1905 after acquiring the manufacturing technology from Austrian industrialist Ludwig Hatscheck.1905
Our history
From our start in 1905 Etex has been pioneering to become a global leader in lightweight construction solutions. Founded and still headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, Etex quickly expanded throughout Europe and the world. Major acquisitions in fire protection, plaster technology, modular construction and engineering have allowed Etex to contribute to the transformation of the construction industry, building on its purpose to Inspire ways of living.
"I like this image of a tree with a strong trunk, which grows new branches every year and where existing branches are becoming stronger."Jean-Marie EmsensGrandson of the founder
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In the 1930s, Eternit expanded across Europe and invested in important overseas export markets in Latin America, including Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Eternit Argentina was established in 1937.1937
Reconstruction after World War II breathed new life into the building sector. Eternit grew and continued to invest, building its first fibre cement factory in Africa in Congo in 1949.1949
In 1950, Eternit expanded into Asia, building a fibre cement facility in Manila, the Philippines.1950
The next 50 years were characterised by product diversification, after modernising tools and technologies. Plasterboard was added to the product portfolio in 1957, and the Gyproc company was founded in Belgium.1957
German passive fire protection expert Promat was acquired in 1981. Ceramic tiles for floors and walls manufactured and marketed in Latin America became a new product segment, and Ceramica San Lorenzo in Argentina was added to the corporate group.1981
Asbestos was completely banned from Etex’s production processes in 2002.2002
Aliaxis was born when plastic activities were split from Etex’s building materials activities in 20032003
In 2011, Etex acquired more than 80% of French company Lafarge’s European and Latin American gypsum activities, one of Etex’s largest acquisitions. Plasterboard brand Siniat was the result. The remaining 20% of the business was purchased in 2013, enabling Etex to play a role in the dry construction market.2011
Optimising the group’s product portfolio, Etex sold its Latin American ceramics business to Mexican firm Lamosa in 2016.2016
At the end of 2017, with the ambition of leading the dry construction market, Etex purchased Spanish plasterboard expert Pladur.2017
The new Etex Headquarters at Brussels Airport reflects our global ambitions. A flexible hub promoting interactivity at the heart of Europe to catalyze a lean organizational approach close to the world.
2018
The creation of E2E, a new JV with Arauco.
2018
Etex continues to focus its activities on lightweight construction solutions with divestment in clay and concrete tiles, with the sales of Marley Ltd. to inflexion and of Umbelino Monteiro to Edilians.
2019
Etex announces the biggest capex investment in its history to build a new plasterboard facility in Portbury near Bristol. This 5th new factory since 2015 increases the capacity to service the growing UK construction market and allows for more off-site production.
2019
With the sale of its clay and concrete roof tile business Creaton, Etex intensifies the shift towards lightweight building solutions.
2020
The acquisitions of Knauf’s plasterboard business in Australia and FSi, a British specialist in passive fire protection, support the strategic focus of Etex strengths and the redefined ambition to become a global player in safe, sustainable smart and beautiful lightweight building technologies.
2020
Etex acquires a majority stake in the Ireland-based company Evolusion Innovation, an international multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy. UK leader in light gauge steel framing Sigmat is also added to the portfolio. All acquisitions underscore the ambition to lead in lightweight and modular solutions.
2021
Etex continues its portfolio shift towards lightweight and sustainable building solutions with the acquisition of insulation expert URSA. By adding a fifth technology to its portfolio, Etex enhances its ability to provide products and integrated solutions and tackle some of the megatrends impacting our world, in particular climate warming and resource scarcity.
2022
References
Community Projects