When Ludwig Hatschek invented fiber cement in the late 19th century, he combined the basic elements of the earth: mineral materials, water, air and fire (heat) in a simple filtration process. He named the resulting material ¨Eternit¨, hinting at the superior durability of this new material. Our mother company, Etex, has been manufacturing fiber cement materials since 1905. The most prestigious incarnation in this proud heritage of unique materials is the EQUITONE® facade material range. The Hatschek production process makes each EQUITONE facade panel unique with an individual fiber cement texture. Most EQUITONE facade materials are through-colored with a raw, unfinished character.

In the 1950s leading architects such as Walter Gropius pioneered the use of coated fiber cement panels using the ventilated facade (rainscreen) system. Designer Willy Guhl created the famous “loop chair” from 1 piece of fiber cement in 1954. This design still bears witness to the core qualities of the fiber cement base material: thin, light, durable and beautiful. In 1987, Herzog & De Meuron designed the Ricola storage building in Laufen using uncoated fiber cement panels. The resulting shutter facade, which is a reference to the cardboard boxes inside, inspired our company to start the industrial development of raw, untreated fiber cement materials.

Today EQUITONE has a full range of through-colored, untreated fiber cement materials. Leading architects of our time are exploring and transforming the EQUITONE material in remarkable facade designs.