Gypsum industry news

UK: France-based Saint-Gobain subsidiary British Gypsum has launched the Gyproc SoundBloc Infinaé 100 gypsum wallboard in the UK. The board is the group’s first to feature 100% recycled gypsum. The producer said that construction firms supply used plasterboard from jobsites as raw materials, by means of British Gypsum’s collection service. The service also covers used adhesives and fillers.

Canada: CertainTeed Canada will begin to sell its new CarbonLow range of reduced-CO₂ gypsum wallboard in 2025. The range includes Easi-Lite, Type X and M2Tech boards and GlasRoc sheathing. The products offer 60% lower emissions cradle-to-gate than the company’s ‘traditional’ gypsum wallboard.

France: Saint-Gobain Placo has installed a heat and water recovery system in its Val-de-Cognac gypsum wallboard plant. In a post to LinkedIn, the company said that the new system has reduced the plant’s CO₂ emissions by 14%, its energy consumption by 11% and its water consumption by 10% compared to 2019 levels.

Ukraine: Saint-Gobain Building Products Ukraine, an importer and distributor of gypsum products in Ukraine, has inaugurated its new 60,000t/yr Ivano-Frankivsk plaster plant. LIGA Business News has reported that the plant cost €11m, will employ 50 people and produce plaster mixes for sale under the Rigips brand.

Saint-Gobain Poland and Ukraine president Joanna Czynsz-Piechowiak said "The opening of the first Saint-Gobain plant in Ukraine is an important step for our company. Even in difficult times, we continue to move forward and invest in the future.”

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.

Romania: Saint-Gobain Romania has completed construction of a new 1730-panel solar power plant at its Turda gypsum wallboard plant in Cluj County. Electronics retailer Visual Fan supported the project, which will contribute ‘significantly’ to meeting the plant’s energy consumption. When commissioned, it will reduce the Turda plant’s CO₂ emissions by 238t/yr. Romania’s government partly funded the installation under its National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Saint-Gobain Romania CEO Ovidiu Păscuțiu said “This project represents an important step for Saint-Gobain in the direction of adopting renewable energy and reinforcing our commitment to the environment. It is a concrete example of investments made to optimise our production processes by reducing internal energy consumption. We have an ambitious sustainability goal – net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We will achieve this by investing in innovation, new technologies and a portfolio of solutions that pave the way for lightweight and sustainable construction.”

Mexico: Saint-Gobain has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire construction chemicals producer Ovniver Group for US$815m. The parties expect to conclude the deal in early 2025. Ovniver Group produces its CeMix brand adhesives, renders, surface preparations and waterproofing products across 16 sites in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and the US.

Ovniver Group recorded revenues of US$285m in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 20% over the past five years.

Peru: France-based Saint-Gobain has submitted a technical report for a proposed upgrade to its Huachipa facility. The project aims to optimise production and secure compliance with environmental regulations. Noticias Financieras News has reported that the work will cost US$259,000 and take up to eight weeks complete.

Australia: Saint-Gobain subsidiary CSR plans to expand its Welshpool gypsum wallboard plant in Western Australia. The producer plans to upgrade the plant’s production line and expand warehouses that serve it and the neighbouring Bradford building materials plant. CSR said that the upgrade to the Welshpool wallboard plant will reduce its consumption of natural gas and electricity and facilitate its transition to alternative fuels or electricity.

CEO Paul Dalton said "This significant investment will make Welshpool safer and more sustainable, increase capacity and improve productivity and cost efficiency, all while removing risk from our supply chain.”

Canada: 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."