Gypsum industry news

Philippines: Thailand-based Shera aims to increase its market share in the Philippines building materials sector to over 40% by the end of 2025, BusinessWorld News has reported. Shera Philippines head Thunnop Jumpasri said that this will involve an expansion of its operations in Mindanao and Visayas.

This coincides with Shera’s launch of two gypsum wallboard products, the Gypsum Standard Board and Gypsum Moisture Resistant Board, on 21 November 2025.

Canada: Saint-Gobain subsidiary CertainTeed Canada has announced the upcoming launch of BasCarbone, a new range of 60% reduced-CO₂ gypsum wallboard. The company will produce BasCarbone wallboard at its carbon-neutral Montreal plant in Quebec.

Spain: Saint-Gobain Placo has launched Longips Premium plaster for interior coatings. The product offers an ‘enhanced formula’ with more consistent mixing, easier smoothing and optimised setting. It is available in 17kg bags with a new ‘modern, dynamic design.’

Saint-Gobain Placo said "The new Longips Premium solution reflects Placo's commitment to building better for people and the planet, always guided by Saint-Gobain Group's common purpose of making the world a better home."

France: Saint-Gobain Placo has launched Glasroc X 13, a ‘three-in-one’ gypsum wallboard for use in façades and exterior shells for wood-frame structures. The producer says that the board embodies three key benefits for wooden construction applications: fire protection, weather resistance and stability. It can be left uncovered for up to six months before cladding, and is available in 1200mm or 1250mm widths.

Spain: Knauf España has expanded its range of oversize gypsum wallboard systems with the launch of its new Maxiboard boards. The producer said that the boards’ 900mm thickness allows for a 30% reduction in studs, screws and joint treatment in installation. Maxiboard boards are optimal for use in large spaces, including in shopping centres, cinemas and data centres. They offer EI 240-certified fire resistance in systems up to 6m high and EI 120-certified fire resistance in systems up to 11m high.

UK: Saint-Gobain subsidiary British Gypsum has launched its BIMlocker software, a tool to enhance the use of its building information modelling (BIM) objects. The company says that BIMlocker improves customers’ data accuracy and accountability. The tool integrates with existing Revit software.

Head of digital construction Paul French said "Demonstrating compliance, accountability and integrity has never been more important within our industry. Our new BIMlocker software provides reassurance as an invisible layer of security that acts as a valuable aid to construction supply chains in the Building Safety Act era. It eliminates any ambiguity and ensures complete transparency."

Denmark: Tentoma has launched its new XL Power gypsum wallboard packing machine. The supplier says that machine can pack up to 19m-long boards. For shorter lengths, it can stretch film for more boards per packaging cycle, increasing the packaging speed for the products by up to 25%. Tentoma built and sold its first XL Power packiaging machine to replace an orbital wrapper.

Vietnam: Knauf Vietnam has launched StandardShield, a locally-produced brand of gypsum wallboard made at its plant at Hai Phon. The event was marked with a ceremony for clients and press at Ho Chi Minh City on 8 July 2016.

"After two years of operation, with product presence in key areas, we believe this is really the good time for us to supply the market with local products," said David Victor Thomas, General Director of Knauf Vietnam. "This is our special gift for all our valued customers, aimed at expressing our deep gratitude with their continuous support and cooperation in recent years."

Knauf StandardShield is 9.5mm thick with dimensions of 1220 x 2440mm and 1210 x 2420mm. The product is promoted as having high performance in terms of flexural strength, sag and nail pull resistance that passes all requirements of TCVN 8256:2009 and ASTM C1396.

Knauf Vietnam started commissioning at its local wallboard plant March 2016. The plant has a production capacity of 20Mm²/yr.