Interview with Michael Betz, COO for North East Europe at Sonae Arauco 

Six months after DACH+HOLZ International – a successful interim review

With the relaunch of AGEPAN® at DACH+HOLZ International 2026, Sonae Arauco sent a clear signal for the future of sustainable construction. A successful trade fair presence, highly positive feedback from customers and partners, and the launch of new products such as AGEPAN® DWD Fire X and AGEPAN® THD cover H with its new tongue-and-groove profile highlight the positive developments of recent months. At the same time, Sonae Arauco has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability across the entire value chain through its EcoVadis Gold rating and the publication of its first Sustainability Report. In this interview, Michael Betz reflects on the most important developments since the relaunch and explains why Construction will continue to be a strategically important growth pillar for Sonae Arauco.

The construction industry has faced several challenges in recent years. Looking back, what are you particularly proud of? 

Six months after the relaunch of AGEPAN®, we can draw a very positive conclusion. DACH+HOLZ International 2026 provided the ideal platform to present our new brand identity and gather valuable feedback from the market.

We are especially pleased that shortly after the relaunch we successfully introduced two innovative products: AGEPAN® DWD fire X and the new AGEPAN® THD cover H. The recognition of AGEPAN® THD cover H, which achieved second place in the “Products of the Year 2026” awards in the Roofing & Façade category, presented by the trade magazines mikado, dachbaumagazin, and buildingnet, further confirms our expertise in developing practical, market-oriented solutions.

Today, we offer our customers a comprehensive building envelope system from a single source. This strengthens our position as a partner for sustainable construction and confirms our long-term strategic direction.

What role does the Construction business play within Sonae Arauco’s overall strategy today?

Construction is one of Sonae Arauco’s strategic pillars. Sustainable construction is gaining importance worldwide, and wood-based solutions will play an increasingly important role in this development. That is why we continuously invest in the further development of our solutions, brands, and market position.

What growth opportunities arise from the transition to a climate-friendly construction industry?

Demand for wood-based products from controlled sources that support circularity and store biogenic carbon continues to grow. Wood-based solutions make an important contribution to resource-efficient construction by using wood from responsibly managed forests, reducing the use of fossil-based and energy-intensive materials, and storing carbon over the long term.

Sustainability is firmly embedded in our corporate strategy and is a key driver of long-term business success. Through our EcoVadis Gold rating and our first Sustainability Report, we provide transparency regarding our ESG performance. At the same time, we support our customers in meeting regulatory requirements, achieving their climate goals, and reducing the CO₂ emissions of their construction projects. In doing so, we create added value for our customers and strengthen our competitiveness in a growing market for climate-friendly building materials.

What role does innovation play in the Construction business?

Innovation is a key driver of our success. The development of new solutions such as AGEPAN® DWD fire X and AGEPAN® THD cover H demonstrates how we continuously adapt our portfolio to meet evolving market requirements.

Our goal is to provide customers with real added value through high-performance, sustainable, and practical solutions.

What message would you like to share with customers and partners?

Together with our customers and partners, we want to continue developing sustainable and future-oriented solutions for the construction of tomorrow.

I see a business area that continues to grow and gaining even greater importance within Sonae Arauco.

With innovative wood-based solutions, strong technical expertise, close customer relationships, and a clear focus on sustainability, we will actively help shape the future of climate-friendly construction.