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Saint-Gobain Gyproc India launches new product range
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 December 2023
India: Saint-Gobain Gyproc has launched a range of products including gypsum wallboards. The new product line includes 'Habito Standard' a gypsum wallboard made for heavy unplanned and planned loading applications, 'Rigiroc,' a multi-purpose moisture resistant board and 'Glasroc X,' a wallboard for exterior applications. Saint-Gobain Gyproc also released a ceiling tile product at the same time.
Najwa Khoury, Global Gypsum Strategy Director at parent company Saint-Gobain, said "Saint-Gobain Gyproc continues to be committed to meeting the demands of the changing preferences and environmental conditions in India. Over the last few years, we have seen a growing acceptance of drywall and modern ceiling tiles in India, and we want to stay ahead of the curve. We are delighted to introduce a new range of innovative products that are functionally superior, sustainable, affordable and customizable, redefining the future of construction.”
The products will be available in India and neighbouring countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Benoit Bazin to become CEO and chair of Saint-Gobain
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 December 2023
France: Saint-Gobain’s chief executive officer (CEO) will also become the company’s chair after the next general shareholders meeting in June 2024. He will succeed Pierre-André de Chalendar in the role, who is preparing to retire. Independent director Jean-Francois Cirelli will also be appointed as vice-chair at the meeting.
The France-based company said that its board of directors have been working since 2021 to enhance the effectiveness of the group's governance and the independence of the board by restructuring the balance of power within it. A Lead Independent Director will also be appointed in June 2024 with additional powers and the proportion of independent directors on the board will be increased, subject to a vote.
Philippines cuts import duty on natural gypsum to zero
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 December 2023
Philippines: The government has cut the import duty on natural gypsum and anhydrite to zero from 3% previously in a bid to help the local wallboard and cement sectors. It is also expected to support housing and infrastructure projects in the country, according to the Philippines News Agency. Executive Order (EO) No. 46 was signed in early November 2023, approving the change in duty that was due to come into effect a month later in early December 2023.
The EO stated "At present, there are no operating mines of natural gypsum and anhydrite in the country, and there are also no local substitute for said products that are available for domestic producers of plasterboards and cement." The tariff rate is intended to last for five years but it will be reviewed annually at the end of 2024.
Ukrainian government agency designates Knauf as an international sponsor of war
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 December 2023
Ukraine: The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has added Germany-based Knauf to its list of “international sponsors of war” due to the company’s continued business in Russia. The government agency alleges that Knauf paid around US$117m in taxes to the Russian government in 2022. It noted that the company operates 10 subsidiaries, 20 production plants and nearly 30 resource centres in the country. It added that Nikolaus Wilhelm Knauf, a partner in Knauf Gips, had been a longstanding Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation until the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war in early 2022.
In March 2022 Jörg Schanow, a member of the management board of Knauf, told a German newspaper that the company had no plans to leave the Russian market.
Fassa Bortolo to build gypsum stacking plant in Spain
Written by Global Gypsum staff
01 December 2023
Spain: Bulk materials handling equipment supplier Bedeschi says that it has won a contract with fellow Italy-based company Fassa Bortolo to equip a planned gypsum stacking plant in Spain. The plant will homogenise gypsum for storage in an 8000m3 storage pit at a Fassa Bortolo quarry. Bedeschi says that the central part of the order is composed of a 300t/hr metallic apron feeder and stacker car, a 150t/hr excavator belt and a fully enclosed conveyor belt line. The supplier noted that it previously executed a ‘very similar’ order for Fassa Bortolo once before.