Gypsum industry news

Spain: Formatt Building Products Spain plans to build a new gypsum wallboard plant in La Rioja. The project will use technology supplied by Canada-based Gypsum Technologies (Gyptech). The unit is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2026. Formatt is part of BS Group and it sells lightweight construction products and systems under the Technogips brand.

Gyptech says that the project will use various innovations in process automation and environmental engineering to reduce the plant’s CO₂ emissions. It will use a reduced emissions dryer system with a heat pump system, which is intended to reduce dryer-related emissions altogether. The facility will also feature automation, digital process control and safety and maintenance systems. Board-handling systems will be included to maximise edge quality and uniformity.

Petar Kaloyanov, General Manager of Formatt Group, said “This investment will strengthen Formatt’s position as one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of modern building products and systems. Through our Technogips brand and our portfolio within the Formatt Group, we are committed to becoming a one-stop shop for lightweight construction solutions that reduce CO₂ emissions and work in harmony with nature. Our ambition is clear: to establish Formatt among the top four brands for modern construction systems in the European Union.”

Spain: Knauf has expanded its Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Silver certification to ‘nearly all’ gypsum wallboard and metal profiles produced at its Escúzar and Guixers gypsum wallboard plants. The C2C certification evaluates product sustainability across five categories: material safety, circularity, emissions, water and soil management and social equity. Interempresas – Construcción News has reported that it requires renewal every two years.

Marketing and Technical Director Pablo Maroto called for a transition from linear to circular building products.

Spain: Wallboard liner manufacturer Alier has won €9.6m in European Regional Development Fund funding for an upcoming recycled paper plant in the Lopez Soriano Recycling Technology Park in Zaragoza. Spanish Collection News has reported that the plant forms part of the Gypsum Board 5.0 circular wallboard project. Alier expects to invest €40m in the project altogether.

Spain: The council of Hornillos de Cerrato is preparing historic gypsum mines in the municipality for public access as tourist attractions. Cadena Ser Noticias News has reported that on-going work will ensure safety and full accessibility for visitors to the sites.

Spain: Aminsa says that it will resume mining at its Villanasur Río de Oca gypsum quarry in Castile and León later in 2025. Local press has reported that the move aims to meet increased demand from Ireland-based James Hardie’s nearby Orejo fibre gypsum panel plant, which is undergoing an expansion.

Spain: The province of Almería in Andalusia exported €544m-worth of gypsum and limestone in 2024, 10% of its total exports by value. Ideal Online News has reported that this represents a year-on-year drop in exports of the products of 9%.

Regional delegate for Economy, Finance, EU Funds and Industry, Energy and Mining Guillermo Casquet said “Almería continues to strengthen its international position, registering growth in regular exporting companies and maintaining a strong balance of trade.”

Spain: The President of Galicia has called on the EU to protect the interests of its member states in anticipation of new US tariffs. Economía Digital News has reported that Galicia exported €32m-worth of gypsum plaster and stone in 2024. The US ranks 11th among the autonomous community’s export partners.

Spain: Pladur has launched Pasta Pladur ST2 Superfina and Pasta Pladur ST30, two joint compounds. Pasta Pladur ST2 Superfina offers optimised sandability and aesthetic finish, and sets consistently within 120 minutes, even in cold and humid conditions. Meanwhile, Pasta Pladur ST30 offers a superior fine finish and ultra-rapid setting in 30 minutes.

Spain: The Directorate General of Mines and the Geological and Mining Institute are developing a new National Exploration Programme for Critical Raw Materials. Local press has reported that Spain’s gypsum is subject to on-going assessment as part of the programme. The organisations are evaluating sustainable extraction strategies and its potential contributions to the country’s technological and sustainability transition.

Spain: Paper products specialist Alier has begun construction of a new €40m gypsum wallboard recycling plant in Zaragoza’s López Soriano Recycling Technology Park. The plant will recycle gypsum wallboards powered by a solar plant and biomass plant, generating net zero CO₂ emissions. The Heraldo de Aragón newspaper has reported that the plant will create 130 direct jobs and an estimated 390 indirect jobs.