State-of-the-art plasterboard factory opens near Bristol

Measuring more than 500m-long and built with 2,300t of steelwork, Belgium-based Etex has officially opened its largest plasterboard production factory in Portbury, near Bristol.

The facility, which produces plasterboard for the Siniat brand, is said to be the company’s most efficient production line in Europe and has the capacity to produce over 98% of its boards for the UK and Irish markets.

Etex UK and Ireland Country Manager, John Sinfield, said: “The new Bristol plant expansion is proof of our strong footprint in Europe and our commitment to continually investing in innovation. This investment will give our UK customers additional confidence that we are ready for market recovery and able respond to any increases in demand, in line with wider governmental drives.”

The widest part of the steel-framed facility is a three-span portal, with internal column-free areas measuring up to 46m-wide. Elsewhere, further long-span spaces, needed for the production areas, are formed with a series 45m-long roof trusses.

Working on behalf of main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, Caunton Engineering fabricated, supplied and erected the steelwork.