Gypsum industry news

Cuba: Rose Gypsum has thanked Grenzebach and GPM Engineering for the company's help in negotiations with Empressa Materiales de Construccion. The companies have been in talks with the state-owned company to build a gypsum wallboard plant for Cuban and the Caribbean market. The plans also include production facilities for ceiling panels. Rose Gypsum described the tendering process as 'extremely challenging.' It is currently waiting for a response to its latest proposal.

Cuba: Rose Gypsum has won a tendering process to enter into negotiations to manufacture calcined gypsum, interior panels and ceiling panels and other gypsum based materials for the construction industry in Cuba.

Rose Gypsum said was selected on the grounds of its technical and professional expertise, following its negotiations with both Empresa Materiales De Construccion Ciego de Avila (EMC), the local state company responsible for the project and the Cuban Ministry of Construction (MICONS). The commencement of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Cuba in July 2016. Rose Gypsum is negotiating to become the joint operator, distributor and manufacturer on the project. If Rose Gypsum is successful in completing the deal, it will become the sole manufacturer of gypsum related products operating in Cuba.

"I am delighted with the progress we have made and I'm extremely excited about the opportunity we have to be involved in the rapidly expanding construction industry in Cuba and the redevelopment of the country. I am looking forward to the next phase of the negotiations and hope that we can conclude a successful transaction," said Matthew Idiens, CEO of Rose Gypsum.

Cuba: Rose Petroleum has targeted Euro1m towards developing opportunities to process and manufacture gypsum and associated building materials. The natural resources company said in a statement that it was in direct discussions with a government-owned gypsum company and the relevant ministries regarding a potential transaction. No terms or specific timing of any transaction have been agreed.

"The Cuba project is a very exciting development for Rose which we believe could deliver significant value in the short term, in isolation of the oil price environment," said Matthew Idiens, chief executive officer. "It is worth noting that, at present, there is no domestic supply or production of gypsum panels or wallboard for the construction of internal walls and providing domestic sources is naturally very important for Cuba and its development."

The opportunity was introduced to Rose Petroleum by Earth Source Investment, who had made initial contacts with the Cuban government, in return for shares in Rose Petroleum and non-executive board seats should the deal compete successfully.