Celotex Corporation
Celotex Corporation was a major producer of asbestos-containing ceiling tiles, insulation board, and cement products. The Cemesto brand was their cement-asbestos panel line.
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Description
Celotex Corporation, founded in the early 1920s, became one of the most significant manufacturers of asbestos-containing building products in the United States. The company produced a diverse range of products including ceiling tiles, insulating board, partition board, and cement-asbestos panels. Their Cemesto brand, a portmanteau of cement and asbestos, was explicitly marketed as a cement-asbestos product and became widely used in commercial and institutional construction.
Celotex ceiling tiles were among the company's most widely installed asbestos-containing products. These tiles were used in suspended ceiling systems and direct-applied applications in offices, schools, hospitals, retail stores, and other commercial buildings across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The tiles incorporated asbestos fibers to improve fire resistance, acoustic performance, and dimensional stability. Celotex ceiling tiles are commonly encountered during building renovation and demolition, as the dropped ceiling became a ubiquitous feature of post-war commercial architecture.
The Cemesto product line represented Celotex's cement-asbestos offerings. These were rigid panels composed of Portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers, used for exterior cladding, partition walls, and backing boards. Cemesto panels were valued for their fire resistance, moisture resistance, and structural rigidity. They were particularly common in institutional and light-commercial construction. The asbestos in Cemesto panels is typically bound within the cement matrix, making them non-friable when intact, but cutting, drilling, or breaking the panels releases asbestos fibers.
Celotex also produced insulating board products that contained asbestos. These boards were used for thermal and acoustic insulation in walls, ceilings, and roof assemblies. Unlike the rigid cement-asbestos panels, some insulating board products were softer and more friable, meaning they could be easily crumbled and release asbestos fibers with minimal disturbance.
Celotex Corporation faced extensive asbestos litigation and ultimately established the Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust to compensate individuals who developed asbestos-related diseases from exposure to Celotex products. The Trust continues to process claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other qualifying conditions. The Celotex brand name remains in use today in the United Kingdom for insulation products, but under entirely different ownership and with no asbestos content.
Countries where commonly found
Commercial brands
How to identify
Celotex ceiling tiles may carry the Celotex name printed or stamped on the back face. The tiles are typically white or off-white, with textured or perforated surfaces, and are found in suspended ceiling grids or applied directly to ceiling surfaces. Cemesto panels are dense, rigid, grey cement boards that may carry the Cemesto or Celotex brand name embossed or printed on one face. Insulating board products are lighter weight and softer than cement boards. Check building records, original specifications, and contractor documentation for references to Celotex or Cemesto products. In the UK, be aware that the modern Celotex insulation brand (polyisocyanurate foam) is unrelated to the original American Celotex asbestos products. Any Celotex product installed before 1985 should be presumed to contain asbestos unless tested.
Health risk & friability
This material has a risk level of 3 out of 5.
It is classified as mixed, meaning it can range from non-friable when in good condition to highly friable when damaged, weathered or disturbed. Professional assessment is essential to determine the current state and appropriate action.
What to do if you find this material
Do not cut, drill, sand, break, or otherwise disturb Celotex ceiling tiles, Cemesto panels, or insulating board products. Ceiling tiles are frequently disturbed during electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work in suspended ceiling systems -- ensure all trades workers are aware that ceiling tiles may contain asbestos before any above-ceiling work begins. For Cemesto panels, do not cut, drill, or break the panels for renovation. For insulating board, avoid any contact or disturbance as these products may be friable. Have a licensed asbestos inspector sample and test all suspect Celotex products before any renovation or demolition. Removal must be performed under containment by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease from Celotex product exposure, you may file a claim with the Celotex Asbestos Settlement Trust.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cemesto?
Do Celotex ceiling tiles contain asbestos?
Is modern Celotex insulation the same company?
Is there a Celotex asbestos trust fund?
How do I identify Celotex products in a commercial building?
Related materials
Other asbestos-containing materials you might encounter.
Asbestos Ceiling Tile
Ceiling tiles containing asbestos, used in suspended grid systems and glue-up applications in commercial buildings.
Asbestos Partition Board
Lightweight asbestos insulating boards used for interior walls, fire partitions, and ceiling panels.
Asbestos Cement Flat Sheet
Flat pressed sheets of asbestos-reinforced cement used for cladding, soffits, and interior partitions.
Eternit
Eternit was the world's largest manufacturer of asbestos-cement roofing, pipes, and facade products.
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