The multinational has inaugurated its new Fermacell production line, which will double its capacity over four years and create sixty jobs by 2030, consolidating the Cantabrian factory as the group’s European benchmark center.
The multinational, a global leader in fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions, has officially launched its new Fermacell panel manufacturing line following an investment exceeding €150 million—the largest ever made by the company in Europe in its history—which transforms the Cantabrian facility into the largest, most modern, and most efficient fiber gypsum plant in the world.
The project, announced in June 2023 with an initial budget of €144 million, has been completed without significant cost overruns, reaching a final figure of over €150 million, fully financed with private capital. The new production line, which complements the existing one (internally known as F1), will expand the plant’s capacity by 11,000 square meters and will allow the factory to double its production over the next four years, with a target of sixty new jobs by 2030.
The Cantabria plant—James Hardie’s only facility in Spain and one of six operated by the group in Europe—has undergone a major transformation since 2022. Its workforce has grown from 75 to 120 permanent employees, with a goal of reaching approximately 160 employees when the new line operates at full capacity. Currently, 91% of production is exported, mainly to Nordic markets, although management remains focused on growing the domestic market.
Following the expansion, Cantabria will account for 35% of the group’s total production capacity in Europe, positioning it as the backbone of James Hardie’s continental strategy. The company, founded in Australia by the Scotsman James Hardie and with more than 130 years of history, employs 5,200 people across four continents.
The company’s commitment to Cantabria does not end here. In 2025, James Hardie acquired an additional plot of land in the industrial estate for €1.1 million, intended for new production lines and warehouses, and is currently in advanced negotiations to purchase two adjacent plots. The company also has an additional €2 million allocated for refurbishment and general improvements to the facilities.
For more information, please visit:
www.investincantabria.com