Everest Fibre Cement Board plant begins operations

KATHMANDU: Everest Fibre Cement Board, Nepal’s first international-quality fibre cement board facility, began operations on Wednesday following Rs 1.5 billion investment by IME Group.

Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Damodar Bhandari inaugurated the plant and its derivative products at a ceremony in Kathmandu. He said the facility marked a significant advance in Nepal’s industrial development and would substitute imports while driving sustainable growth in the construction sector.

Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of IME Group, said the plant would use domestic raw materials, create local employment and conserve foreign currency. He added that it demonstrated Nepal’s capacity to produce international-standard construction materials using home-grown skills and resources.

Located in Phatuwa Bijayapur Municipality-6, Rautahat District, the fully automated plant handles all stages from raw-material mixing to board cutting, pressing and drying. It has a daily capacity of 75,000 sq ft of boards in 4 ft by 8 ft panels, with thicknesses ranging from 4 mm to 30 mm. The boards are flexible, fire-resistant, weatherproof, environmentally friendly and durable.

The boards are suitable for building exteriors, partitions, ceilings, modular kitchens and eco-panels. They can replace bricks and plaster in full structures, reducing construction time to 10–15 days. Demand has risen both domestically and internationally.

In the event of earthquakes, floods or landslides, the boards offer a rapid, cost-effective solution for emergency shelters by eliminating the need for plastering and painting.

The plant employs around 200 staff—over 98% local and more than 40% women—in roles from processing to packing. Everest Fibre Cement Board aims to strengthen Nepal’s construction sector with its high-quality, competitive and environmentally friendly products.