The Belgian building materials group Eternit Group NV (Avenue de Tervuren 361, B-1150 Brussels) now has a majority of the voting stock in Etex SA (33 rue de l'Amandier, F-78540 Vernouillet) resulting from the purchase of an additional (10.7%) packet of shares from private shareholders. Eternit had previously held only 39.1% in the company known as Eternit Industries.

The Etex Group, originally only active in the fibre-cement area, has developed strongly in the construction business since 1980. Using mainly injection moulding techniques, Etex produces about 17,000 different sorts of plastic building parts. Examples include connectors for water and pressure piping, roof guttering and accessories as well as aeration and sanitary systems. Resulting from an expansive company policy during the last 14 years, Etex has become an international market leader in these areas. Etex's turnover in 1993 was DM 1.08bn, of which 60% was in the plastics area, 25% in fibre-reinforced cement and 15% in work-place protection.

Turnover of the multinational Eternit Group has risen from Bfr 47bn by about 50% to Bfr 70bn (approximately DM 3.5bn), resulting from the acquisition of Etex. The Belgians reported a purchase price of about BFr 12bn. The new "Number 1" in the plastics construction sector is not ruling out a stock market quotation in the long-term.