Germany: The German Professional Association of Geoscientists (BGD), the German Gypsum Association (GIPS) and Knauf Gips have held a christening ceremony for gypsum’s status as ‘rock of the year’ at Iphofen. At the event a freshly mined gypsum stone was ceremoniously unveiled. Speeches were also given by Manuel Lapp from the Saxony State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology, Holger Ortleb of GIPS, Andreas von Heßberg from the University of Bayreuth and Marco Pabstmann from Knauf. Music was provided by the Knauf miners’ band. Over 80 guests were in attendance. Since 2007 the BGD has chosen a different rock each year to promote to the general public.
