20 Years Of Rethinking Materials: What Endures, What Evolves And What Comes Next
By Marc Minne and Nathan Chapman
Success is often measured in monetary terms by the value of a company’s balance sheet. And no doubt, a good idea well executed may produce some handsome profits. But as recent market shocks and fund managers so fondly remind us “Current performance is not a predictor of future performance”. Indeed, profitability is but one measure of success – a fleeting snapshot of opportunities in time – that may or may not endure. It takes far more for a company to survive than simple economics. And that’s not always reflected on a balance sheet.
As Jack Welch so aptly said, “Change before you have to.”
The construction industry is often accused of being set in concrete, slow to change and slow to adopt new materials and technologies. However, at Eva-Last, change has been our driving force. From the outset, the focus has been on challenging conventional material limitations and developing solutions that actively shift the industry forward.
For the past 20 years, Eva-Last has helped redefine how the world builds, advancing building materials that prioritise durability, performance, and long-term sustainability.
The Eva-Last Evolution
What began in 2006 as two friends searching for a better alternative to timber decking has evolved into a leading global business supplying advanced composite building materials to markets around the world. That growth didn’t happen by chance. It has been built on strong relationships, a deep understanding of our markets, and a commitment to creating products that genuinely add value.
Every country is different. Every customer has different needs. But what has remained constant is our focus on quality, consistency, and support. If you get those fundamentals right, growth follows, and over the past two decades, it has.
Built to Endure
Our journey began with the introduction of a new European wood-plastic composite (WPC) decking product in 2006, a complete departure from the traditional timber decking that dominated the market at the time. By combining wood-fibres with recycled plastic, composite provided solutions that offered greater durability, lower maintenance, and improved environmental performance.
With hands-on experience in real-world applications, we expanded our range to include grooved solid and double-sided decking boards with hidden clip fastening systems. Demand for these solutions accelerated our growth and allowed us to expand operations and continue developing new products.
In line with the emerging environmental consciousness, a defining moment for us was when Eva-Last won the prestigious ‘Green Product Award’ at the 2010 Climate Change Leadership Awards. Our passion for the environment and sustainability propelled us into taking a step further by actively reducing our carbon footprint, as a fundamental part of how we operate, not just focusing on what we produce.
By 2014, we had installed 32 858 photovoltaic panels at our factory, generating around 44 000kwH of energy daily, reducing our carbon emissions substantially.
With our sights set high, we expanded beyond decking into cladding, railing, architectural beams, indoor flooring, fencing, and fasteners, building a comprehensive portfolio designed to perform across a wide range of applications.
By 2020, we were distributing to more than 30 countries, with our products specified and installed across diverse markets and envrionments. Seeing that level of global trust is something we don’t take lightly.
What’s Next?
As we look ahead, one thing remains clear, innovation is not just about what we create, but how we create it. It’s about responsibility. How we build. What we use. And the impact we leave behind.
Every idea is measured against our four guiding principles: Sustainability, Innovation, Accountability, and Customer Excellence. Every product, every material, and every process is evaluated against these business values – Is it better? Is it sustainable and responsible? Does it help our customers? Does it drive long-term value?
The next 20 years will be about growing our global footprint, smarter material technologies, better systems, and continuing to redefine what’s possible in our industry. Because we’re not here to keep up. We’re here to lead. And ultimately, this isn’t about the last 20 years, it’s about what we build next.
