Our history

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.  

The creation of E2E, a new JV with Arauco.

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.

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. 

E2E, the Chilean-based joint venture founded by Etex and Arauco, signs a share purchase agreement to acquire a majority stake in Tecverde Engenharia, an innovative Brazilian construction company specialising in wood-frame construction systems.