South Africa’s construction industry faces mounting pressure to adopt sustainable practices amid rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns. Leading this transition is Everite Building Products, a company with over 80 years of heritage, whose Nutec fibre-cement solutions offer architects, contractors and property developers an innovative alternative that balances performance with ecological responsibility. These asbestos-free building materials are transforming construction projects across the country, from residential developments to commercial complexes, by providing durable, thermally efficient solutions that reduce long-term environmental impact while meeting the highest standards of quality and design.
Established in 1941, Everite has built a legacy of innovation and quality in the building materials sector. Since 2002, the company has demonstrated its commitment to environmental responsibility by investing over R140 million in research and development to produce fibre-cement products that are completely asbestos-free, ensuring both safety and sustainability.
Beyond traditional materials: The Nutec advantage
Everite’s Nutec range, manufactured in South Africa to ISO 9001:2015 standards, delivers exceptional performance characteristics while minimising environmental impact. The fibre-cement technology combines renewable cellulose fibres, cement, silica, and water to create products that are not only environmentally responsible but also exceptionally durable and versatile.
“Our dedication to quality and sustainability drives everything we do at Everite,” says the company’s management team. “By developing Nutec fibre-cement solutions, we’re offering the South African construction industry building materials that meet the highest standards of performance while supporting environmental goals.”
Everite’s manufacturing facility, strategically located on a 54-hectare site near Johannesburg with convenient access to transport routes, enables efficient distribution throughout South Africa and beyond, further reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Environmental benefits: Sustainable materials for a greener future
The environmental advantages of Nutec fibre-cement begin with the raw materials. By utilising renewable cellulose fibres rather than asbestos, Everite has created products that are safe for both people and the environment. This commitment to sustainability extends throughout the product lifecycle, with Nutec products designed for longevity and minimal maintenance.
Key environmental benefits include:
- Asbestos-free composition: Completely eliminating the health and environmental risks associated with asbestos
- Renewable resources: Incorporating cellulose fibres from sustainable sources
- Durability: Exceptional resistance to fire, water, fungus, rodents, and extreme weather, ensuring longevity with minimal maintenance and replacement
- Resource efficiency: Manufacturing processes designed to minimise waste and resource consumption
- Reduced transportation impact: Local manufacturing reducing emissions associated with imported building materials
The long-term durability of Nutec products contributes significantly to their environmental appeal. With resistance to water, fungus, rodents, and extreme weather conditions, these materials require less frequent replacement and maintenance, reducing the overall environmental footprint of buildings throughout their lifecycle.
Thermal excellence: Energy efficiency through superior performance
In South Africa’s diverse climate conditions, building materials must deliver exceptional thermal performance to reduce reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Nutec fibre-cement products excel in this regard, particularly when used for cladding and roofing applications.
Nutec’s thermal properties include:
- Superior thermal screening: Cladding products like Vermont serve as effective thermal screens, keeping homes cool during summer by mitigating temperature fluctuations
- Reduced heat absorption: Particularly beneficial for sun-facing walls, reducing cooling requirements during hot weather
- Thermal stability: Maintaining consistent performance across South Africa’s varied climate zones
- Energy cost reduction: Lower temperature fluctuations translating directly to reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Versatility in application: Meeting diverse building needs
One of the most compelling aspects of Nutec fibre-cement is its remarkable versatility across a wide range of building applications. From roofing to cladding, ceilings to facades, Nutec products provide architects and builders with flexible solutions that combine performance with design freedom.
Key applications include:
- Roofing: Nutec Roof Slates offer lightweight, durable solutions with excellent weather resistance and aesthetic flexibility for both modern and traditional designs
- Cladding & Facades: Building planks like Vermont simulate the look of timber with less maintenance and greater weather resistance, while flat sheets provide multi-purpose solutions for eaves, facades, and partitioning
- Ceiling Boards: Moisture-resistant options ideal for both flat and raking ceilings, particularly valuable in damp areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and verandas
- Fascia & Barge Boards: Protection for roof structures with added aesthetic benefits, especially valuable in high-wind areas
- Custom Waterjet Cutting: Precision manufacturing techniques enabling intricate, custom designs for ventilation shafts, solar screens, or architectural facades
This versatility is further enhanced by the aesthetic options available, including textured or smooth finishes that can be painted or coated to achieve virtually any design vision. For student residence accommodations and upmarket homes alike, these customisation possibilities have made Nutec a preferred choice for designers seeking both performance and visual appeal.
Quality assurance: Meeting the highest standards
Everite’s commitment to quality is reflected in the rigorous standards to which Nutec products are manufactured. Operating under ISO 9001:2015 certification, the company maintains comprehensive quality assurance programs embedded in its processes and management systems.
Nutec products conform to South African National Standards (SANS) and are recognised by international standards bodies, ensuring that builders and developers can specify these materials with complete confidence. This commitment to quality and standardisation supports the broader adoption of sustainable building practices by providing materials that are not only environmentally responsible but also consistently reliable.
The future of construction: Building better with Nutec
As South Africa continues to address its housing and infrastructure needs amidst growing resource constraints and climate concerns, materials like Nutec fibre-cement represent a critical pathway to sustainable development. By combining environmental responsibility with superior performance, these innovative solutions are helping to reshape the construction landscape.
Everite’s ongoing investment in research and development ensures that Nutec products continue to evolve and improve, addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in the building sector. From enhancing thermal performance to expanding design possibilities through technologies like waterjet cutting, this commitment to innovation positions Nutec at the forefront of sustainable building materials.
For architects, contractors, and property developers looking to balance performance, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility, Nutec fibre-cement products offer a compelling solution. By specifying these materials, construction professionals can contribute to a more sustainable built environment while delivering projects that meet the highest standards of quality and design.
To learn more about how Nutec fibre-cement products can enhance the sustainability, durability, and performance of your next construction project, download our brochure here.
Everite Building Products has been a trusted provider of innovative building solutions in South Africa since 1941.
