Gypsum industry news

Saudi Arabia: Mada Gypsum plans to reposition itself as a solutions provider, while retaining its core offer of gypsum wallboard. Accordingly, it has launched a new brand identity under the motto Building Excellence. Gulf Construction News has reported that the company is seeking to increase its offering of gypsum wallboard internal lining solutions and to maximise its production of components for its system solution in-house.

President Greg Smith said “Mada Gypsum has been repositioning itself and building capabilities with a focus on promoting itself as a system provider. This shift from being a plasterboard supplier to systems supplier was an important differentiator that allowed us to leverage the strength we have with our other products such as metal profiles, ceiling tiles, glass matt sheathing, fibre cement boards and joint compound.” Smith concluded “Our evolution now to a solution provider is a natural progression, as we have the structure, the people and the products in place.”

Russia: Belgium-based ETEX has announced the suspension of all of its Russian activities ‘immediately and until further notice.’ The gypsum wallboard producer operates two sites for the import and sale of fibre cement façade materials near Moscow. It says that it will take care of the 50 colleagues it employs there.

The group said “We will continue to do everything we can for the safety and well-being of all our teammates and hope that peace will prevail quickly.”

Germany: The 4th Global CemBoards Conference & Exhibition has begun at the Marriott Hotel in Freising, near Munich, Germany. The event, which covers global market trends in cement-based boards and panel systems, the latest advances in production technology and how producers can add value to their products worldwide, will hear nine presentations over the course 21 and 22 January 2020.

The event is also host to a related exhibition of suppliers to the global cement board sector. Extensive opportunities for networking will be available, with the Global Boards Social Evening held at the Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan on the evening of the first day.

A full report from the event will be published in due course.