Eternit

Eternit is arguably the most recognized asbestos brand in history. The company traces its origins to 1903 when Ludwig Hatschek patented the asbestos-cement manufacturing process in Austria and the name "Eternit" (from the Latin aeternus, meaning eternal) was adopted. The technology spread rapidly, and Eternit licensees and subsidiaries were established across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

The Schmidheiny family of Switzerland became the dominant shareholders, building a global empire of asbestos-cement manufacturing. Under Stephan Schmidheiny's leadership in the 1970s and 1980s, the company continued operations even as the health dangers of asbestos became widely documented. Products included corrugated roofing sheets, flat facade panels, water and sewage pipes, rainwater goods, and water storage tanks. The primary asbestos fiber used was chrysotile (white asbestos), though some products also contained crocidolite or amosite.

The health consequences were devastating. Thousands of factory workers, their families, and nearby residents developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The Casale Monferrato plant in Italy became a symbol of corporate negligence after an epidemiological study revealed extraordinarily high mesothelioma rates in the surrounding community.

In 2012, an Italian court convicted Stephan Schmidheiny, sentencing him to 18 years in prison. After procedural complications, a new trial resulted in a definitive conviction in 2023 for the deaths of nearly 400 people. This landmark case established corporate criminal liability for asbestos-related deaths.

Today, Eternit-branded companies in Europe have transitioned to asbestos-free fiber cement products. However, millions of tonnes of Eternit asbestos-cement products remain installed in buildings worldwide, particularly in developing countries where removal programs are limited.