Displaying items by tag: fibre cement
Shera invests in Philippine fibre cement board plant
15 March 2024Philippines: Shera is investing US$36m to establish its first production hub in the Philippines. Announced by Thunnop Jumpasri, president and country head for Philippines and Malaysia, the move marks a significant expansion in response to the robust growth in the local construction sector.
The new facility, located in Pampanga, commenced initial operations in 2023 and is anticipated to be fully operational by October 2024. With an initial capacity of 100,000t/yr, expected to double in the coming years, the plant will create 150 jobs. After 15 years of supplying fibre cement boards from Thailand and achieving US$27m in Philippine sales last year, Shera aims for 10-15% growth in 2024.
Thunnop Jumpasri said "This will be our first plant outside of Thailand. We plan to export to other countries from the Philippines to Taiwan, Korea and some parts of China, but we prioritise the Philippines first for now."
India: Everest Industries is constructing a fibre cement boards and wall panels plant in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, with an investment of US$22.6m. The new facility, located on an 8.09 hectare plot in the Kellambali-Badanaguppe industrial area, will be operational later in March 2024. It will produce 72,000Mt/yr of fibre cement boards and 19,000Mt/yr of Rapicon wall panels. The company specialises in the production of fibre cement boards.
The plant is expected to generate 127 job opportunities.
Saint-Gobain completes Recife fibre cement products plant expansion
01 December 2023Brazil: France-based Saint-Gobain has completed the construction of a new line at its Recife fibre cement products plant in Pernambuco. The expansion doubles the capacity of the plant to 200,000t/yr, at a cost of US$13.9m. The plant produces fibre cement products for sale under Saint-Gobain’s Brasilit brand.
Etex to acquire BGC’s lightweight building materials businesses
12 October 2023Australia/New Zealand: Belgium-based Etex has signed an agreement with building materials company BGC to acquire the latter’s gypsum and fibre cement businesses. The fibre cement business includes the Canning Vale fibre cement boards plant in Western Australia. BGC also operates nine warehouses across Australia and New Zealand. Etex says that the deal expands its activities in the ‘attractive’ local market, with significant growth opportunities. Finalisation is expected in early 2024.
Etex CEO Bernard Delvaux said “This deal is a strategic opportunity for Etex to complement our footprint in Australia and further increase the accessibility of our products and services for customers. This will both reinforce our gypsum wallboard offering and position us well in the growing fibre cement activities through a broad product range and good channel access.”
Nuvoco Vistas launches Duraguard Microfibre fibre reinforced cement
15 September 2023India: Nuvoco Vistas has launched Duraguard Microfibre Cement, a fibre reinforced cement. The cement’s clinker is 48-52% tricalcium silicate, with low tricalcium aluminate, and contains electrostatically precipitated dry fly ash. The producer says that it offers enhanced bonding, crack resistance, strength and durability and reduced permeability, as well as a smoother surface finish, compared with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Nuvoco Vistas first applied for a patent for the product in mid-2018.
Managing director Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said "We prioritise innovation. Our Construction Development and Innovation Centre (CDIC) is dedicated to creating sustainable and innovative products that meet the highest global standards. The awarded patent validates our unwavering commitment to innovation and keeps us in the forefront of pioneering advances in the cement industry, delivering exceptional quality and responsible business practices."
James Hardie publishes Sustainability Report 2023
10 August 2023Australia: James Hardie has published its Sustainability Report 2023, recording its progress towards achieving its sustainability goals up to the end of the 2023 financial year on 31 March 2023. The producer's Scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions dropped by 26% compared to 2019 levels, against a new target of a 42% drop by 2030. Environmental product declarations (EPDs) covered 94% of its sales, ahead of a target for the year of 80%. The company launched a new goal to include 30% minority-identified people in its US management.
Chief sustainability officer and vice president, environmental social and governance, Jill Kolling said “Sustainability is a continuous journey, but a necessary one to drive value for our stakeholders, while delivering on our ambition to be a more resilient company. From our boardroom to our manufacturing plants, we are giving sustainability a place at the table to drive meaningful impact and instill accountability across all facets of our organisation.”
American Fiber Cement Corporation rebrands
08 June 2023US: American Fiber Cement Corporation (AFCC) has announced a rebrand to American Fiber Cement. Besides the name change, the producer's new branding will consist of a new logo and brand position, and a website redesign. Additionally, the company's range of former Cembrit brand fibre cement products will be rebranded to include the AFC name.
General manager Donna Anglada said "We are excited to reveal our new branding, but we also want to ensure that our distributors, reps and customers understand that, while the names are changing, we will continue to sell Patina, Patina Inline, Patina Rough, Deco, Solid, Cover and Transparent."
Eternit Österreich rebrands to Swisspearl Österreich
24 March 2023Austria: Fibre cement products company Eternit Österreich will rebrand as Swisspearl Österreich, effective from 1 April 2023. The company has been a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Swisspearl Group since 2009.
Visaka Industries to build cement boards plant in West Midnapore
20 December 2022India: Visaka Industries plans to invest US$15.7m in the construction of a new cement boards plant in West Midnapore, West Bengal. United News of India has reported that the plant will produce the company's Vnext fibre cement board product. When commissioned in August 2023, it will increase Visaka Industries' Vnext boards production capacity to 72,000t/yr. The producer will equip the plant with an ATUM Solar Roof integrated solar power unit, eliminating 840,000t/yr of Scope 2 CO2 emissions. Visaka Industries plans to employ 500 people at the plant, and additionally support its host community in Shalbani Dakhinshole through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
US: Australia-based James Hardie plans to establish a 92,900m2/yr cement board plant in Crystal City, Missouri. The producer expects the plant to create 240 new jobs.