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Grenzebach signs plant deal with Classic Gypsum
Written by Global Gypsum staff
26 October 2016
India: Grenzebach BSH has signed a deal with Classic Gypsum of Kolhapur, Maharashtra to supply a plaster and plasterboard plant. No value for the contract has been announced. The deal was formalised at the 16th Global Gypsum Conference that took place in Bangkok, Thailand.
Canadian government to hasten review of wallboard dumping tariffs
Written by Global Gypsum staff
18 October 2016
Canada: The federal government has asked for a faster review of anti-dumping tariffs on gypsum wallboard imports. However, the new schedule isn't expected to immediately reduce the duties, according to the Canadian Press. The Finance Department says it wants to help middle-class families in Western Canada, especially those involved in the reconstruction of Fort McMurray, Alberta following wildfires earlier in 2016 that destroyed large numbers of buildings.
"I am grateful to hear the federal government is responding to our concerns and the concerns of people across Fort McMurray with the recent ruling by Canada Border Services Agency that effectively closed Western Canada from imported drywall,'' said Brian Jean, the leader of the opposition Wildrose Party in a statement. He added that his party will continue to ask the government to suspend the tariff during its review or exempt wallboard coming into Fort McMurray from the tax.
In September 2016 the Canada Border Services Agency imposed preliminary tariffs of up to 277% cent on US gypsum wallboard imported into Canada for use in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The agency said it was responded to a complaint by CertainTeed Gypsum Canada.
Knauf to build wallboard plant in Philippines
Written by Global Gypsum staff
17 October 2016
Philippines: Knauf and the German Investment and Development Corporation (DEG) are to build a 16Mm2 gypsum wallboard plant in Bataan. The two companies will invest Euro40m in the joint venture project, according to the Philippines News Agency. The agreement was signed at the Philippine embassy in the presence of the Philippine ambassador to Germany Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, Knauf CEO Manfred Grundke and Christian Laibach and Klaus Helsper on behalf of DEG.
The new plant is planned to be completed by early 2018 and is expected to create 100 direct jobs. The proposed investment was granted pioneer status, to provide tax incentives, by the Board of Investments and the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre-Berlin earlier in 2016.
Knauf suspends work due to rail problems
Written by Global Gypsum staff
14 October 2016
Ukraine: Knauf Gips Kyiv, part of Germany's Knauf, has suspended wallboard production because of difficulties with rail traffic, according to Knauf's local marketing and sales director Oleksandr Starchenko. He told Interfax-Ukraine that the Kyiv plant has been forced to suspend operations due to a lack of rolling stock on the railway for the supply of finished products from the Knauf Gips Donbas factory, which is located in Soledar, Donetsk region.
"The situation now is not just bad, it is catastrophically bad," explained Starchenko. "Bad is when at least something works. Catastrophic is when nothing works. This is not only my opinion, this is the view of the market. The result of the situation is the fact that the Kyiv factory halts activities because we cannot bring in materials."
"We have two enterprises here. One of them is in the east, close to the combat zone. However, it works and is one of the largest ones in Europe," he said, noting that the company has limited ability to supply goods produced at Knauf Gips Donbas to customers by rail.
El Volcan to build new wallboard plant in Chile
Written by Global Gypsum staff
11 October 2016
Chile: El Volcan, a company owned by Matte Group and Saint-Gobain, plans to spend up to US$50m on building a new gypsum wallboard plant in Puente Alto. The builder's merchant intends to upgrade an existing production site to produce wallboard and plaster, according to the El Mercurio newspaper. Permits have been secured for the project and the plant is expected to be ready by early 2018. The company also intends to start selling its full range of products in Peru.