Gypsum industry news

Peru: Wallboard producer Eternit, which is owned by Etex, will inaugurate its 12,000Mm²/yr capacity wallboard plant under the Gyplac brand in Huarochiri, Peru, in March 2015. Investments in the new infrastructure have reached the US$33m. Eternit sees opportunities in the residential segment, while any excess production will be exported to Ecuador, Bolivia and Central America.

All Eternit operations will be concentrated in Huarochiri by 2019. Gyplac wallboard sales are expected to grow by 20%. Eternit company sales of more than US$210m are projected in Peru during 2014, 8% more than in 2013. Revenues are expected to double in the next five years. Other product lines could be incorporated from 2018 if operations prove to be successful. Eternit, which controls 45% of the Peruvian wallboard market, is introducing Equitone and Promat products as well.