Gypsum industry news

Uzbekistan: Knauf has launched a consulting centre at the Samarkand State Architecture and Construction Institute, named after Mirzo Ulugbek, on 4 September 2014 in Samarkand, Samarqand Province. This is Knauf's second consulting centre in Uzbekistan. The first was opened in June 2008 under Tashkent State Architecture and Construction Institute, which has proven its efficiency in training skilled builders.

The centre will provide training to all interested parties on the use of modern construction materials. The training programmes are designed for various groups, including individuals who repair their houses on their own as well as professionals. Each trainee will receive technical documentation, manuals and other literature. Dmitry Deripalko, director general of Knauf Gips Bukhara, underlined that the centre will assist young people and builders to receive theoretical and practical skills.
Knauf purchased 30.8% of state assets in Bukharagips for US$1.55m and invested US$6.3m over a three-year period. Knauf currently holds 98.98% stake in the enterprise, while employees and other shareholders hold 1.02%. The enterprise specialises in the production of dry gypsum mixtures and was founded in 1934. Bukharagips owns a gypsum mine with 45Mt of reserves with 90-100% calcium content, a lime mine with 7.8Mt of reserves and several other mines. Knauf launched production of dry gypsum mixtures in 2009 at the 60,000t capacity Bukharagips plant.

Russia: According to the Statistics Service of the Krasnodar Region (South), in January - July 2014 the production of non-metallic building materials decreased by a factor of 1.6, production of plaster and ready-mix concrete fell by a factor of 1.5 and production of gypsum dropped by 26%. In contrast, the production of paving tiles of cement, concrete and artificial stone grew by 14.3%, production of blocks and other prefabricated un-reinforced products increased by 24.4% and production of technological lime rose by 60%.

Uzbekistan: JSC Uzstroymateriali's building materials exports made US$42.9m in the first six months of 2014, which is 15.5% more compared to the same period of 2013. Enterprises of the company have increased their production by 4.5% for the reporting period.

Cement production grew by 4.9%, gypsum by 10.7%, dry construction mixes by 32%, gypsum boards by 2.9% and ceramic tiles by 10.1%. The total amount of capital investments of the largest enterprises of Uzstroymateriali amounted to US$18.3m, a 371% year-on-year increase.

US: USG Corporation has reported its strongest quarterly net income since 2007. Second quarter 2014 net sales of US$948m were up by 3% from second quarter 2013 net sales of US$916m. USG's second quarter 2014 operating profit was US$98m compared to US$74m in the second quarter of 2013. Second quarter 2014 net income was US$57m. This compares to a net income of US$25m in the second quarter of 2013.

"I'm pleased to report our best quarterly results in seven years," said James S Metcalf, chairman, president, and CEO of USG. "Despite slower than expected acceleration in industry opportunity, most of our businesses and products improved their performance from a year ago and we also recorded our first full quarter of operations in our USG Boral joint venture."

The corporation's adjusted operating profit was US$93m in the second quarter of 2014, which includes adjusted equity method investment income of US$6m from USG Boral Building Products, compared to an adjusted operating profit of US$76m in the second quarter of 2013. Adjusted net income was US$48m in the second quarter of 2014 compared to an adjusted net income of US$26m in the second quarter of 2013. Adjusted net income in the second quarter of 2014 excluded, among other items, a US$12m gain on the sale of its New Jersey paper mill, which has been idled since 2009.

"We remain confident in the recovery, but challenges in the macro-economic environment still exist," said Metcalf. "However, we believe that the second half of the year will be better than the first half and we are well positioned to capitalise on the improving opportunity."

Thailand: Thai Gypsum Products, the manufacturer of Gyproc brand gypsum products in Thailand, has reaffirmed its positive outlook regarding market conditions in the second half of 2014 with its commitment to build a new warehouse / distribution centre in Surat Thani Province. Following its strategic plan to achieve 5% growth before the introduction of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, Thai Gypsum Products continues to expand its national footprint following the opening of the 5th Gyproc Centre, which was launched recently in Phuket.

"Gyproc aims to become the market leader in gypsum production following the AEC integration," said Thongchai Kamolpattana, commercial director. "As Thailand is located centrally within the region, we believe that many foreign investors will be attracted to invest in the country, whether by development of properties they own or the expansion of their regional offices, both sectors requiring materials for construction."

Ethiopia: The Geological Survey of Ethiopia (GSE) has identified 20 new mineral deposits. Eighteen of the deposits contained gypsum, limestone, marble and potash. Nineteen of the deposits were found in Oromia Region. The 20th, a coal deposit, was found in Wolkite Town, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region.

Russia: Gypsum producer Volma has drawn a one-year loan of Euro4.30m from VTB bank. The company will finance its business operations with the funds. Volma has already secured Euro18.2m in loans at VTB.

Azerbaijan: Export volumes of construction materials produced in Azerbaijan to Georgia rose by 13.5% in 2014, according to the report of the National Statistical Service of Georgia. Some 49,530t of gypsum wallboard and other anhydrite worth US$8.48m was exported from Azerbaijan to Georgia in January-May 2014, up from 41,080t worth US$7.47m during the same period of 2013.

India: The Haryana State government has prepared a contingency crop plan and has sought financial assistance as well as bonus on paddy and other kharif crops from the central government. Chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that the plan was formulated in consultation with CCS Haryana Agriculture University, Hisar. Hooda said that the State government has urged the central government to award an additional allocation of US$1.68m for gypsum during the current financial year.

Mexico: Mining and metallurgic production dropped 6% in Mexico in the first four months of 2014, the steepest fall for a similar period since 2009, according to the national institute of statistics and geography (INEGI). The drop was attributed to a fall in coal, gold, iron ore, silver, fluorite and lead production. In contrast, gypsum, coque, sulphur, zinc and copper output rose in the same period.