Solutions
Innovation
Core ingredient
Innovation is our core ingredient
As a long-time industry leader and technological pioneer in passive fire protection, fibre cement and plasterboard, Etex has a long history of innovation. Through our focus on lightweight solutions and our investments in modular construction, we strategically shape the future of how people build and live. Inspiring ways of living includes evolving towards a construction industry that is people-centric to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
In working with our customers to develop solutions that meet their dynamic needs, our innovation strategy directly contributes to success and well-being within the communities of which we are a part.
Some key products and initiatives
To become the world’s leading lightweight solutions provider, we continuously innovate in the domains of process optimisation, production technology and materials research. Our innovation strategy is ambitious, but it is also highly structured and delivers quantifiable value for our people, our customers and society as a whole.
Our Innovation & technology centres around the world set new standards for excellence in fibre cement and paints, passive fire protection and high-performance insulation and gypsum products. In recent years, we have dedicated ourselves more and more to increasing their customer and market intimacy.
Cedral Terrace is a fibre cement innovation
Cedral Terrace is a fibre cement innovation
By co-creating with our customers and investing in intensive market research, we developed a completely new fibre cement decking and terrace building material for homeowners. Its distinctive tactile feel, durability and beauty offer residential customers a truly unique experience that aligns perfectly with their needs.
Going digital to deliver value for every stakeholder
Going digital to deliver value for every stakeholder
In digitising our processes across multiple business domains through a series of well-defined projects, we aim to empower our people and deliver the solutions our customers want – better, faster and stronger than ever. Projects include the development of Building Information Management (BIM) capabilities, CRM optimisation, creating a centralised master data platform, and more.
The Casablanca project
The Casablanca project
E2E, an Etex-Arauco joint venture and part of our New Ways division, worked closely with Jacqueline Gálvez, General Manager of Inmobiliaria Gestión Urbana. The goal was to co-develop and deliver 400 houses in the Casablanca municipality of Santiago (Chile) using dry and modular construction technologies. These resource-light, sustainable building methods reduce water and energy costs while offering customisation opportunities to residents never seen before in prefabricated homes.
Co-creating a next-gen product with our customers
Co-creating a next-gen product with our customers
CE-marked Promatect XS, a completely reformulated steel insulation product, is the result of ground-breaking innovation across international borders with the customer at the core. It is the thinnest product in its class, insulates steel structures in any position, is simple to install, and lasts for 25 years. There is nothing else like it on the market.
Providing the best security
Providing the best security
Securtex is the first plasterboard only burglar-resistant systems for residential and commercial buildings that is LPS 1175 (Secure by Design) certified. It eliminates the need for plywood or metal mesh to protect occupants.
Setting the new standard in Residential building technologies
Setting the new standard in Residential building technologies
With an ultra-high density core, Solidtex, is an easy to install plasterboard that offers the strength and longevity of masonry. With an industry-first density of 1,200 kg/m3, it offers Class 2 burglar resistance and provides acoustic performance of 73dB. It offers real estate developers faster go-to-market times, lower cost and easy renovations.
Efforts for the future
Accelerating our efforts for the future
Driven by 6 megatrends – resources scarcity, a growing world population, ageing cities, technological evolutions, growing complexity and productivity matters, we have made key strategic investments in the technologies and areas of expertise that we believe will be crucial for the future.
Our new division: a lightweight and modular construction powerhouse
Introducing New Ways, it has been built from the ground up to respond to global housing and construction challenges in an agile way.
New Ways is comprised of a series of targeted acquisitions and joint ventures, gathering all of the expertise and technological knowledge required to offer complete lightweight and modular building solutions, anywhere in the world.
Ensuring the best use of our precious resources
Our response to today’s global challenges means the world for our future. With sustainability as our compass, we strive to find new ways to cut energy costs and resource use, reuse raw materials, reduce waste and scrap, and continuously improve our operational processes.
Fostering an internal circular economy
Fostering an internal circular economy
As part of our global One Etex initiative to streamline and digitise our processes, the One Manufacturing and One R&D workstreams are studying new methods of reclaiming the by-products of our internal processes and reusing them as raw materials and additives in others.
Building local networks for sustainable supply
Building local networks for sustainable supply
Etex R&D labs are currently testing the feasibility of using recycled by-products from other industries in our communities, such as slag, glass fibre and silicon. Our overarching goal is to develop environmentally sound, safe, and cost-effective replacements of scarce raw materials.
Reducing weight, saving the planet
Reducing weight, saving the planet
We continuously seek to reduce the weight of our products while maintaining – and even enhancing – their resilience and performance.
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