James Hardie Unveils Advanced Fibre Gypsum Manufacturing Facility in Spain

James Hardie Europe has officially opened its most advanced fermacell® fibre gypsum manufacturing line in Orejo, Spain, in response to the growing demand for high-quality flooring and wall solutions in European markets. This significant development is part of the company’s broader growth strategy in Europe and represents an investment exceeding €150 million, marking one of the largest production expansions in its history.

The new facility is designed to enhance James Hardie’s capability to supply the entire European market with premium fermacell® flooring and wall solutions, particularly catering to the rapidly expanding prefabrication sector.

A Commitment to Sustainable Construction

Christian Claus, CEO & President of James Hardie Europe, emphasised the importance of this investment, stating, “This investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to the European market and to sustainable construction. The new line allows us to deliver more capacity, more innovation, and more reliability for customers across Europe.”

Construction of the Orejo facility commenced in May 2021, following the approval of the investment in November 2021. Since then, the plant has developed into a high-performance production hub, setting new benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.

Growing Workforce and Production Capacity

To accommodate the increased capacity, the workforce at Orejo has expanded significantly, growing from approximately 75 employees in 2021 to 121 as of January 2026. As production ramps up, staffing is expected to rise further, with projections of reaching up to 160 employees once both fibre gypsum lines are fully operational in a five-shift mode.

The Orejo plant will provide a wide array of fermacell® flooring elements, wall boards, and prefabrication solutions, supporting growth in both residential and commercial construction sectors. With the demand for high-performance, resource-efficient building materials on the rise, this new production line is set to play a pivotal role in enhancing 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,” said Christian.

He further noted, “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.”

Jürgen Hartmann, Operations Director Europe, added, “This new line reflects our commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement. 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 introduction of this new line is expected to significantly boost efficiency and output while improving product consistency, which are essential factors for the thriving modern construction sectors across Europe.