• Lightness and durability
• Resistance
• Versatility
• Safety
• Low cost

• Low cost of raw material
• Technology known for several years
• Small consumption of electricity
• Minimum environmental impact: plants work in a closed circuit system, with zero residue, because these systems do not release any residues containing chrysotile asbestos in the environment and they follow the strict parameters that make them "ecological" or "environmentally correct" plants.
• Low cost to the final consumer: Traditional roof shingles and water tanks made of fiber cement with chrysotile asbestos are extremely important to Brazil. Since this material is relatively inexpensive, the low-income population, which usually lacks housing and basic sanitation, can more easily afford it.

EMPLOYMENT

In Brazil, chrysotile asbestos benefits around 170 thousand people involved in the chain of production, including professionals involved in the processing industries, the distribution and sale sectors. The fiber cement sector which used chrysotile asbestos operates 17 plants in ten States in Brazil, and employs around ten thousand workers. The Cana Brava Mine generates around 580 direct jobs and has 331 outsourced employees who work within the industrial plants. This initiative has boosted the development of the city of Minaçu in the State of Goiás, which has 35 thousand inhabitants.

EXPORT

Exports of chrysotile asbestos production generate more than US$50 million a year in revenue.

Any restriction on the use of chrysotile asbestos could cause significant losses to the Brazilian trade balance, of the order of US$700 million/year caused by the import of PVA, cellulose and microsilica which would be used as replacement fibers. The country would also be held hostage to variations in the dollar exchange rate and the oscillating market oil prices. Another consequence is that civil construction prices would go up around 30%, relative to the use of the same roofing material containing chrysotile asbestos, and the durability of replacement materials would be reduced in more than 60%.