Gypsum industry news
CGC hosts community meetings over upcoming Wheatland wallboard plant
14 November 2024Canada: CGC is holding a series of meetings between 5 November and 3 December 2024 in which to discuss the possible impacts of its upcoming Wheatland wallboard manufacturing plant in Alberta with the local community. The Canadian Press News has reported that 100 jobs will be created at the plant. Hiring will commence in early 2025, prior to the plant’s commissioning later in 2024.
Plant manager Duane Van Douren said "We are focused on making sure that the communities around us are well aware of who CGC is, and providing information about our plant and the build that is happening on our site right now, which started back in early spring 2024 and is progressing very quickly.”
CGC reportedly told the Toronto Sun newspaper that current anti-dumping measures have reduced the availability of gypsum wallboard in Canada by 65Mm2 cumulatively since 2016. As a result, extant gypsum wallboard stocks are sufficient only to build 220,000 homes.
Saint-Gobain Canada supports Women Building Futures
02 August 2024Canada: Saint-Gobain Canada has partnered with Women Building Futures (WBF) as part of its Build Change corporate social responsibility programme. The partnership involves a donation and support for WBF’s training programmes and coaching. Together, the partners hope to increase the economic security of women in the construction sector.
CEO Julie Bonamy said "Women Building Futures’ work to remove barriers for women in industries where they are traditionally under-represented, like construction, is vital to creating the workforce of tomorrow, while ensuring everyone has an opportunity to succeed. At Saint-Gobain, we are proud to support this incredible organisation and are excited to get started to build change in our community and our industry."
Romania: Saint-Gobain Romania has inaugurated a new line at its Turda gypsum wallboard plant in Cluj County. Romania-Insider News has reported that the line cost €50m. The company had previously announced anticipated total investments €45m. All gypsum wallboard produced in the line will come with environmental product declarations (EPDs). Saint-Gobain Romania will employ an additional 100 people to work on the line, raising its total number of employees by 5% to 2000 people across 14 sites.
Saint-Gobain Romania CEO Ovidiu Pascutiu said "This new line, operating at optimal parameters, marks a significant step towards enhancing our production efficiency and expanding our product range to better serve our growing customer base."
Knauf to transfer Russian business to local management
26 April 2024Russia: Knauf is seeking to transfer its ‘entire business in Russia’ to its local management, pending the approval of Russian authorities. The Kyiv Independent newspaper has reported that Knauf elected for the transfer in order to protect the jobs of 4000 employees in the country.
Compagnie Marocaine de Plâtre et d’Enduit to build gypsum wallboard plant at Sidi-Tiji
19 January 2024Morocco: Compagnie Marocaine de Plâtre et d’Enduit (CMPE), a joint venture of Knauf and Groupe Safari Maroc, has announced plans for a new gypsum wallboard production facility in Sidi-Tiji, Marrakech–Asfi Region. CMPE expects that the plant will generate 100 direct and over 500 indirect jobs.
Groupe Safari Maroc CEO Saïda Lamrani Karim and Knauf general partner Jörg Kampmeyer said "Our investment decision in a new plasterboard plant shows our trust in the growth of the Moroccan market and will strengthen the leading position of CMPE.” They added “This investment aligns with the Moroccan government's guidance to reduce imports and develop a competitive local industry of excellence. With our new production, we will supply the Moroccan market and export to Sub-Saharan markets."
Georgia-Pacific invests US$2bn in 2023
21 December 2023US: Georgia-Pacific made total investments worth US$2bn throughout 2023. Major capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments include its US$325m construction of its second Sweetwater gypsum wallboard plant in Texas.
Georgia-Pacific Gypsum president David Neal said "Georgia-Pacific is keenly focused on the future and committed to innovation and meeting the needs of our customers. The two [Sweetwater gypsum wallboard plant] operations combined will supply customers and distribution partners with more than 93Mm2/yr of gypsum wallboard each year and create more than 100 new jobs. This investment strengthens Georgia-Pacific's capacity to meet growing customer needs in Texas' residential, commercial and industrial construction markets."
Spain: Italy-based Fassa Bortolo has announced plans for its upcoming Tarancón gypsum wallboard plant in Cuenca, Castile-La Mancha. The producer says that it plans to invest Euro90m in the project. Local press has reported that the company plans to hire 200 new employees to work at the plant.
US: Georgia-Pacific will close its 60Mm2/yr Quanah gypsum wallboard plant in Texas on 1 March 2023. Local press has reported that the plant employs 166 people. Georgia-Pacific first announced its planned closure in 2020.
Grenzebach Romania commences construction of Iasi production centre
30 November 2022Romania: Grenzebach Romania has broken ground on its construction of its upcoming Iasi production centre. The equipment supplier plans for the centre to serve as a hub for its European building materials, glass and intralogistics activities. Grenzebach chief executive officer Steven Althaus said that the group is expanding to meet growing European demand in the sectors in which it operates, while also creating 100 new jobs for Romanians.
UK: Portugal-based Gypfor has agreed to sell its upcoming Newport gypsum wallboard plant to Germany-based Knauf. Gypfor began building the plant at Associated British Ports’ Port of Newport in March 2021. Knauf estimates that it will commission it later in 2022, and commence full operations in 2023. The plant will be equipped with solar and wind power plants, as well as on-site gypsum wallboard recycling facilities. 54 people will be employed in gypsum wallboard production at the site. Knauf says that the addition of the new plant to its existing facilities at Immingham, Lincolnshire, and Sittingbourne, Kent, will enlarge its UK capacity by 20%.
Knauf’s UK managing director Ian Stokes said “This new plant will significantly increase our ability to service customers throughout the UK, and particularly those in South Wales, the Midlands and the South-West of England. It is a very exciting move for Knauf and, following recent investment in increasing the capacity of Knauf Insulation, reflects the confidence of the Knauf Group in the UK construction sector.”