Following strong demand in European markets for high quality fermacell™ flooring and wall solutions
James Hardie Europe today announces the official opening of its most advanced fermacell ® fibre gypsum manufacturing line in Orejo, marking a major milestone in the company’s European growth strategy.
With a total investment of over €150 million, this is one of the most significant production expansions in the company’s history. The new facility will strengthen James Hardie’s ability to supply the entire European market with high quality fermacell ™ flooring and fermacell ™ wall solutions, including the rapidly growing prefabrication sector.
A Strategic Milestone for James Hardie Europe
“This investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to the European market and to sustainable construction,” says Christian Claus, CEO & President of James Hardie Europe. “The new line allows us to deliver more capacity, more innovation, and more reliability for customers across Europe.”
Construction activities for the Orejo expansion began in May 2021, following investment approval in November 2021. Since then, the plant has evolved into a high performance production hub that sets new standards in efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.
To support the added capacity, the workforce at Orejo has grown significantly in recent years from around 75 employees in 2021 to 121 employees as of January 2026. As the site continues to ramp up production, staffing is planned to increase further, reaching up to 160 employees once both fibre gypsum lines operate in full 5 shift mode.
Strengthening Supply for Europe’s Construction Future
The Orejo plant supplies a comprehensive range of fermacell ® flooring elements, fermacell ® wall boards and prefabrication solutions, supporting customer growth in both residential and commercial construction. With demand rapidly increasing for high performance, resource efficient building materials, this new production line will play a central role in strengthening supply reliability across Europe.
“Today marks a significant step for James Hardie Europe. With this new production line, we strengthen our position in three key segments: modern timber construction, innovative flooring solutions, and efficient dry lining solutions that enable more living space,” says Christian Claus, President Europe.
“Demand for sustainable, high performance building materials is rising across Europe and our fermacell™ solutions are built for exactly that. Our products are made from 100% natural materials – gypsum, paper and water and their properties are verified via an Environmental Product Declaration confirming that they store CO₂.”
“This new line reflects our commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement,” adds Jürgen Hartmann, Operations Director Europe. “It is one of the most advanced fibre‑gypsum facilities worldwide, enabling us to increase output, enhance efficiency and raise production standards for customers throughout Europe.”
The new line enhances efficiency and output while improving product consistency, crucial factors for Europe’s booming modern construction segments.
