Eternit announces restructuring and job cuts in Belgium and the Netherlands

Eternit, a subsidiary of the Etex Group, has announced major restructuring plans across its European production network, threatening significant job losses at its facilities in Belgium and the Netherlands.

In Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Belgium, the company plans to lay off 95 employees, representing approximately one-quarter of the local workforce. Following the announcement, staff spontaneously halted production. Labor unions have expressed distress over the decision, noting that the company remains profitable despite the proposed cuts. The restructuring aims to refocus the site on products less affected by market pressures.

In Goor, Netherlands, the company is considering stopping the production of fiber cement corrugated sheets by January 2027. This move could result in the loss of 57 jobs. The facility would subsequently be converted into a specialized coating and logistics center. Production of certain components would be relocated to other Etex Group plants in France and Lithuania.

Eternit cites several factors for these measures, including a shrinking European fiber cement market, increased competition from cheaper international producers, geopolitical tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine, and rising costs for energy, labor, and regulation.