Skip to main content
Login
institutional access

You are connecting from
Lake Geneva Public Library,
please login or register to take advantage of your institution's Ground News Plan.

Published • loading... • Updated

James Hardie to Sell Fermacell for €840m to Holcim

James Hardie will use about $600 million of the proceeds to cut debt and launched a $250 million share buyback program.

  • On Friday, August 21, 2026, James Hardie Industries announced the sale of its European walling and flooring business Fermacell to Swiss supplier Holcim for €840 million, while planning to close its European fibre cement operations.
  • The company is exiting Europe to prioritize North America following investor criticism of its $8.75 billion AZEK acquisition, which was struck at a 37% premium and triggered board restructuring.
  • James Hardie intends to use around $600 million from proceeds to repay debt and unveiled a $250 million share repurchase program to strengthen the balance sheet and deliver shareholder value.
  • Holcim expects the acquisition of Fermacell and the Aestuver brand to be earnings-accretive from year one, with the transaction set to close in the first half of 2027 under Christian Claus's leadership.
  • Analysts at Citi and RBC Capital Markets cited the divestiture as a pathway to focus on North America, while Morningstar analyst Esther Holloway noted that exiting Europe was prudent without a focused regional strategy.
Insights by Ground AI

12 Articles

RTÉRTÉ
Center

James Hardie to sell Fermacell for €840m to Holcim

James Hardie said it will sell its European walling and flooring business Fermacell to Swiss building materials supplier Holcim for €840m and plans to close its European fibre cement business.

·Ireland
Read Full Article
HandelsblattHandelsblatt
Lean Right

Industry: Holcim Acquires Gypsum Fibreboard Manufacturer Fermacell

The Swiss building materials group takes over the Düsseldorf-based company for 840 million euros. For the seller James Hardie it is a farewell from Europe.

·Düsseldorf, Germany
Read Full Article
Australian Financial ReviewAustralian Financial Review
Lean Right

James Hardie ditches Europe, selling out to Holcim in $1.38b deal

The Australian building products giant is selling a German business acquired in 2017 as it abandons the region for higher-growth prospects in North America.

·Sydney, Australia
Read Full Article
The West AustralianThe West Australian
Lean Right

ASX LIVE: James Hardie’s beats Europe retreat with $1.37b

Well, that was epic. Yesterday was insane. So many reports. But we’re easing into the weekend with a more manageable list of companies reporting their results today.

·Osborne Park, Australia
Read Full Article
fool.com.aufool.com.au
Center

James Hardie sells European business, launches share buyback

James Hardie is selling its European business for €840m, funding a $250m share buyback and focusing on core growth markets. The post James Hardie sells European business, launches share buyback appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Read Full Article
SWI swissinfo.chSWI swissinfo.ch
Lean Left

Holcim Is Acquiring Part of James Hardie’s European Business

(Bloomberg) -- Holcim Ltd. is acquiring part of the European business of James Hardie Industries Plc for €840 million ($981 million), expanding its building, sustainable flooring and walling solution offerings.

·Bern, Switzerland
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

kalkinemedia.com broke the news on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
SearchBlindspot LogoBlindspotLocal