Lightweight construction material manufacturer, Etex, has been given the green light by North Somerset Council to expand its Bristol manufacturing facility by almost double.
Part of the global Etex Group, Etex is ‘a leading manufacturer of innovative construction materials’, specialising in drywall, passive fire protection, and steel framing systems.
The £140m investment into the former brownfield site just announced is expected to increase production capacity for Etex’s Siniat brand by over 50%, and will contribute to the local economy by creating more than 50 new jobs at the site, set to open in 2023. The business will also use the expansion to encourage more young people to enter the manufacturing sector through its Operator Apprenticeship scheme.
The new manufacturing facility will have a core focus on sustainability, utilising rainwater harvesting system, solar PV, electric car charging points, and eventually a fully electric forklift fleet. The extra space will also support Etex in meeting one of its core circular economy objectives of achieving 30% post-consumer gypsum in its plasterboard by 2025. While Etex says it is already leading post-consumer gypsum recycling in Europe –
reprocessing over 120,000 tonnes of recovered gypsum per year – the expansion will significantly increase its capabilities. As demand for its plasterboard products grows, the plant’s proximity to the Royal Portbury Dock will allow it to ‘seamlessly import’ raw materials for its products via the Bristol Channel.
Neil Shaw, Country manager (UK & Ireland), said: “The extension of our Bristol facility will significantly increase our production capacity in the UK, at a time when demand for plasterboard solutions is currently outstripping industry supply. Investing in a site with sustainability and future-oriented technology at its core was key, as we work towards a number of ambitious sustainability targets.” In line with this ‘focus on sustainability’, Etex has also agreed to contribute £10,000 towards pedestrian and cycle improvements to improve access to the site.
