Xella International

The world’s leading manufacturer of autoclaved aerated concrete, Xella, is transforming the building industry with Hebel, its ultra lightweight concrete. We are committed to providing the United States with environmentally responsible building products that conserve material and energy usage.  Hebel is produced from some of earth’s most abundant natural materials – sand, lime and water.  Its environmental benefits include high thermal insulation, resulting in temperature swing reduction, offering continuous fundamental savings across the building’s life span, noise minimization and more. 

Additionally, low energy consumption throughout the manufacturing process and little material waste ensure that the Hebel production process has little environmental impact.

More than 7,900 team members work for Xella International plants and offices throughout 30 countries worldwide, including North America, South America, Europe and Asia, which generated sales of $1.8 billion in 2008.  Xella’s Hebel Aerated Concrete plant located in Adel, Ga., is currently the largest industrial autoclave plant in North America.  North American operations employ more than 90 people at the Adel production plant and corporate offices.

AAC’s roots go back to the 1920s, when Sweden was enduring an extreme shortage of wood due to deforestation.  In need of an alternative building material, Swedish architect Johan Ericksson developed autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) to meet the growing demand for a product that had wood’s workability coupled with excellent thermal insulation, structural strength and superior fire resistance.  To further improve AAC, Josef Hebel invented and patented a method of incorporating steel reinforcements in the manufacturing process in 1945.  Since then, Hebel Aerated Concrete blocks and reinforced panels have been used in thousands of building projects across the world.

Hebel Aerated Concrete provides contractors with strong, easy-to-install blocks and panels that are UL-rated and one-third the weight of traditional concrete.  In addition, Hebel is energy efficient, fire resistant and long lasting, which, over time, will reduce energy, insurance and maintenance costs to building owners.  A wide range of industries can benefit from Hebel’s properties, including those in the commercial, educational, hospitality, industrial, institutional, governmental and residential markets.