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

 

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 2003.

2003

 

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

 

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

 

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

We completed the process of exiting Russia by divesting two operating sites in the country. These sites were part of the original URSA insulation footprint acquired before the invasion took place. We are actively preparing to help rebuild Ukraine as soon as it is possible and safe to do so.