Gypsum industry news

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.

Spain: Knauf España has successfully achieved Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Silver certification for all gypsum wallboard and metal profiles produced at its Escúzar and Guixers plants. Corresponsables News has reported that the company is the first gypsum wallboard producer to do so globally. Its products achieved C2C Gold certification in the Material Reutilisation category.

France: Knauf France’s Fos-sur-Mer gypsum wallboard plant, which it inaugurated earlier in 2024, will receive 300,000t/yr of Spanish gypsum for use as raw materials, the Le Marin newspaper has reported. The plant is situated behind Sea-Invest Group’s mineral terminal at the port of Fos-sur-Mer. It has begun receiving its gypsum in regular shipments of 14,000t from the port of Garrucha, Spain.

Spain: Germany-based Knauf has expanded its 15-year-long partnership with mental health charity Sol del Solsonès in Solsonès, Catalonia. Knauf will donate finances and essential building materials, including gypsum wallboard. The resources will support the Un Raig de Sol therapy initiative, enabling it to treat 22 people in need of care.

Knauf’s director of people and compliance Daniel Orta said "We use the best therapy in the world: love and affection."