Eternit-Digression
Eternit
Eternit (=fibre cement), the German word for asbestos, is the brand name of a product with the same manufacturing process (i.e. the manufacture of fibre cement).
Manufacture
In Switzerland, Eternit boards are made in Niederurnen and in Payerne (Vaud Canton). The main ingredients are cement (40%), limestone or other additives (11%), water (12%), and a lot of air. The most important is the reinforcement fibre. The percentage proportion is low, but it determines the stability of the plate. While asbestos was used in the past, today, it is fibres (so-called polyvinyl alcohols) that are used in the textile industry.
Asbestos
It took some time for a replacement to be found for asbestos. However, Eternit AG in Niederurnen has not made asbestos-containing products since 1990. Good to know: There is no risk to health from old, asbestos-containing boards, provided they are not sawn or otherwise processed. Only the dust is dangerous which is produced during this cutting or processing and which gets into the lung capillaries and can cause illnesses.
Use
Eternit boards can be used as roof panels (so-called roofing slate) as well as facade protection (so-called slate facade). They are available in a wide variety of colours and shapes. Facade panels from Eternit are very popular, because highly individual facade design images can be created thanks to the large number of plate shapes and installation types. Eternit is also preferred in scenic, delicate areas since it does not look shiny from a distance and is not noticeable. If desired, the design and colour can be adapted to the landscape so that no difference to natural slate can be detected from a distance.
Cutting
Our Susten slate cutters have been specially designed for the cutting of “modern” Eternit. They produce a straight cut, with little dust and the edge remains clean.