Gypsum industry news

Oman: National exports of gypsum were 12Mt in 2024. Former Zawawi Minerals director and CEO Ramachandran said that year-on-year growth was 7%, with volumes up from 11.2Mt in 2023.

India: Representatives of the Indian and Omani government are in a fifth round of talks over a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Under the proposed agreement, the parties would reduce or eliminate customs on goods traded between the Indian Ocean nations. Gypsum is among India’s ‘key imports’ from Oman.

Egypt: Knauf Egypt is planning to invest US$86m in the construction of its upcoming third gypsum plant. Al Mal News has reported that the unit will double Knauf Egypt’s total production capacity of products including gypsum wallboard. It will raise the company’s installed gypsum wallboard capacity to 60Mm²/yr. The upcoming plant will serve both domestic and export markets. Knauf Egypt currently sells its wallboard in 13 countries, including Greece, Morocco and South Africa.

Belarus: The Council of Ministers has issued Resolution 688, effecting a temporary ban on exports of most foreign gypsum from the country. Business World Magazine News has reported that the ban only affects gypsum that originates outside of Belarus and Russia.

Oman: The country exported 8.07Mt of gypsum from January 2024 to August 2024, according to data from Zawawi Minerals. Oman exported 11.2Mt in 2023, up by 11% year-on-year from 9.9Mt in 2022.

Bolivia: The Port Services Administration (ASP) despatched a 3000t pilot shipment of gypsum to Paraguay on 23 July 2024. The gypsum, from Cochabamba, was loaded onto three river barges for transport via the River Paraguay from Puerto Busch in Santa Cruz. Local press has reported that ASP used 200t/hr conveyor belts for loading.

General manager Dante Justiniano said "This milestone not only represents a significant advance in the area of infrastructure and national logistics, but also fulfils the mandate of our President Luis Arce, which aims to establish a port that enhances foreign trade and strengthens import and export, with access to the Atlantic Ocean.”

India: JSW Group subsidiary JSW Infrastructure has entered a concession agreement with VO Chidambaranar Port Authority to develop a new berth at VO Chidambaranar Port on a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer basis. The Hindu newspaper has reported that the company plans to commission the 7Mt/yr Berth III for the export of bulk minerals, including gypsum.

JSW Infrastructure "The asset provides access to the rich hinterland with a diverse cargo profile including coal, limestone, gypsum and rock phosphate."

US: US gypsum wallboard sales grew by 1% year-on-year to 628Mm² during the first quarter of 2024. The country imported 20.1Mm² of gypsum wallboard, down by 13% year-on-year. Mexico supplied 19.3Mm² (96%) and Canada 800,000m² (4%) of imports. Meanwhile, the US exported 19.1Mm² of gypsum wallboard during the quarter, 18Mm² (94%) of it to Canada.

Turkmenistan: Ak Bulut despatched its first shipment of gypsum wallboard to Georgia on 2 April 2024. Trend News has reported that Ak Bulut says that the market entry signals the innovation of the Turkmen building materials sector. The producer commissioned its 4Mm²/yr Dostluk gypsum wallboard plant in December 2023.

Brunei Darussalam/Indonesia: Siam-Indo Gypsum Industry delivered a shipment of gypsum products to Brunei Darussalam earlier in March 2024. The Borneo Bulletin newspaper has reported that the shipment will contribute materials for a 1000-unit housing development in country.

Importer VSL Systems reported that Indonesia's exports to Brunei Darussalam increased consistently year-on-year every year between 2018 and 2022.