Ehret Magnesia Manufacturing Company

Ehret Magnesia Manufacturing Company created asbestos pipe insulation, among other asbestos-containing products, for many decades. Employees and contractors began developing fatal illnesses after exposure. Lawsuits against Ehret Magnesia followed, eventually leading to the company that acquired Ehret Magnesia filing for bankruptcy.

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

Ehret Magnesia History

When Ehret Magnesia was founded in 1897, it created two brand names for its asbestos pipe insulation: Durocel and Thermalite. The company’s two insulation products became so popular that both became signature brands.

As the company expanded, so did its product line, including adding thermal insulation and construction supplies. The new products were created with raw asbestos and limestone mine materials.

Until the late 1960s, Ehret Magnesia continued making asbestos-containing products even though documents show that the company was fully aware of the dangers of ingesting asbestos fibers.

In fact, in 1959, Ehret Magnesia merged with another company that created asbestos-containing products, Baldwin-Hill. The merger formed Baldwin-Ehret-Hill and lasted until 1968, when Keene Corporation bought out the company.

Under the Keene Corporation, no asbestos-containing products were manufactured, but the company continued to sell Ehret Magnesia’s products.

In addition to acquiring Ehret Magnesia’s products, Keene Corporation also took on thousands of asbestos-related claims.

Ehret Magnesia/Keene Corporation Lawsuits

In 1971, Keene Corporation began the process of fighting asbestos-related claims. Most of the claims came from employees and contractors who worked decades ago for Ehret Magnesia.

Since Keene acquired Ehret Magnesia, it also took on all its asbestos claims. By the end of 1991, the company had resolved over 2,400 asbestos-related claims.

The numbers quickly increased to over 100,000. In 1996, Keene filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, still facing an overwhelming number of cases.

The company came out of bankruptcy in 1996 and soon after created an asbestos trust fund entitled the Keene Creditors Trust. The asbestos trust was set up to pay all pending and future asbestos-related claims.

Ehret Magnesia Faces Fines for Illegal Dumping

In January 1997, workers at Pennsylvania’s Valley Forge State Park found that an asbestos-containing fiber optic cable had contaminated soil in the park.

The cable was located close to the site where Ehret Magnesia once manufactured its products.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Ehret Magnesia had been illegally dumping their waste materials into the Schuylkill River and abandoned pits. The illegal activity had gone on for decades.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared the area an emergency hazardous territory in which immediate clean-up was needed.

Shortly after, the area was cordoned off, and the asbestos was wet down to reduce the chance of people ingesting airborne asbestos fibers.

In 2013, the clean-up began, including excavating and transporting contaminated soil over a 112-acre area in the Valley Forge National Historical Park. The clean-up was completed in 2014, and the park re-opened.

Asbestos-Containing Products Made by Ehret Magnesia

Although asbestos pipes were the company’s most-used product, Ehret Magnesia had several asbestos-containing products, including the following:

• Ehret Air Cell
• Ehret Fiberkote
• Ehret Enduro High Temperature Blocks
• Ehret  Asbestos Sponge Felt
• Ehret Asbestos Paper
• Ehret Asbestos Millboard
• Ehret Asbestos Wick and Rope
• Baldwin  Mono-Block (asbestos covering)
• Valley Forge asbestos sheets
• Valley Forge asbestos packing
• Valley Forge asbestos gaskets
• Thermasil insulation
• Thermacil cement
• Thermacil asbestos block
• Number One insulating cement
• Mono-block insulating cement

Contact an asbestos attorney if you were exposed to asbestos through Ehret products. They can explain your legal options and help you seek compensation.

Additional Information and Legal Resources for Asbestos Victims

If you’ve been injured by asbestos, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.