---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001628280-26-058265"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "JHX"
cik: "0001159152"
company_name: "James Hardie Industries plc"
filed_at: "2026-08-20T20:36:17+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-08-20T20:37:35.078496+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.9
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# James Hardie sells Fermacell to Holcim for €840M; plans to close EU fiber cement business

## Summary
- Sells European Fermacell business (fermacell® and Aestuver® brands) to Holcim for €840M (~$980M USD) cash.
- Proceeds: ~$600M to repay debt to hit net leverage <2.0x by Sep 30, 2027; rest for shareholder returns.
- Board authorizes $250M share repurchase program; buybacks via open market or ASR.
- Company also intends to close European fiber cement business, subject to consultations.
- Deal expected to close H1 2027; subject to antitrust approvals and employee consultations; termination fee €15M possible.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001628280-26-058265
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: JHX
- cik: 0001159152
- company_name: James Hardie Industries plc
- filed_at: 2026-08-20T20:36:17+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.9
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.9
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1159152/000162828026058265/0001628280-26-058265-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1159152/000162828026058265/jhx-20260820.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-26-058265
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-26-058265.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001628280-26-058265.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.