Australia: Boral has announced that it expects gross earnings from its Gypsum Asia unit to increase as it reported an upbeat longer term outlook for the business in the rapidly growing Asia market.
It is estimated that earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in 2012 will jump by 19% year-on-year to US$108m, according to Frederic de Rougemont, chief executive of Boral Gypsum Asia.
De Rougemont said that there is strong economic growth forecast across most major markets in Asia, where increases in public investment are driving growth in non-residential construction. Speaking to analysts in South Korea, he added that increasing urbanisation is driving growth in residential construction.
"Asia is expected to become the world's largest plasterboard market in 2014, while China will become the biggest plasterboard market globally by 2015," he said. "Among the global players, BGA has the leading market position throughout Asia" with a 15% estimated market share including China.
