Gypsum industry news

Sudan: Glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) modular systems producer Eco Buildings Group and Socotra Real Estate Development have launched a joint venture (JV). Socotra Real Estate Development will invest US$5.82m over six months in the JV’s construction and operation of two new production lines.

Eco Buildings Group Executive Vice Chair Etrur Albani said that the ‘landmark’ JV ‘not only serves to further demonstrate the increasing global demand for our GFRG modular housing solutions, but also the efficiency of our international expansion strategy.’

Chile: Eco Buildings Group has won a public sector contract to deliver 20,000 modular homes using its glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) modular systems technology. The contract will span seven years. Eco Buildings Group says that it marks the start of its full-scale commercial roll-out in Latin America.

The Chilean government has made a down payment of US$14.8m for a first tranche of 1210 homes, which are already designated for occupation by families.

Brazil: Trevo Drywall has won a contract to supply 50,000m² of gypsum wallboard to the Gênesis Condominium residential development in Fortaleza, Ceará. Additionally, the company will supply joint compounds, steel profiles and screws. The building will be the first of its kind in the state to feature light steel frame (LSF) construction, halving build times. Construction commenced in late June 2025, with the first 40 units due to be ready for occupation in June 2026.

India: Knauf India has launched its Knauf Mobile Training Academy to contribute to skill-building and industry excellence. The ‘classroom-on-wheels’ will deliver a programme based on practical, on-site instruction on the installation of gypsum wallboard and ceiling across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities in India. Knauf India aims to reach 25,000 builders over a period of six months. The company says that the programme aligns with the government’s Skill India workplace training initiative.

CEO Sumit Bidani said "We aim to bridge the existing skill gap, align with national initiatives like Skill India, and contribute meaningfully to the growth and modernisation of the construction sector."

US: Paul Johnson Drywall (PJD) has acquired the assets of gypsum wallboard supply and installation contractor Advanced Drywall Systems. Advanced Drywall Systems serves New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its entire team will stay on as part of PJD.

Advanced Drywall Systems director David Bedo noted the growth opportunities presented by the acquisition, adding "We are most excited about the opportunity to deliver the market-leading service that Advanced Drywall Systems is known for to more of the region's homebuilders."

China: Beijing New Building Materials (BNBM) raised its revenues from its gypsum wallboard business in 2024, with a 56% rise in gross profit. The group says that it continues to strengthen its gypsum wallboard market presence. Home renovations have now risen to 35% of business sales. Taishan Gypsum increased its share of BNBM’s high-end product sales to over 2%.

Gypsum wallboard projects in Thailand and Bosnia & Herzegovina are under implementation ‘in an orderly manner’ in line with BNBM’s focus on increasing operational strength in South-East Asia, Central Asia, Periphery Middle East and Mediterranean-Europe.

US/Canada: The costs of construction of new single-family homes are set to rise by US$7500 – 10,000/unit, according to the National Association of Home Builders. This is due to the government’s introduction of a new 25% tariff on Canadian gypsum wallboard and its raising of the tariff on softwood lumber to the same level from 14.5%.

US: The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says that more than 71% of the US’ total annual imports of gypsum originate in Mexico. The association has highlighted the possibility of ‘scarcity and an acute, sustained rise in building materials costs’ as a result of new tariffs. The US government imposed 25% duties on products from Mexico and fellow North American country, Canada, on 4 March 2025.

NAHB said that it will ‘continue to seek a tariff exemption for building materials.’

UK: Adaptavate has partnered with British Land, Royal London Asset Management Property and office refurbishment company Overbury to test its Breathaboard 50% reduced-CO₂ alternative wallboard at the 1 Triton Square mixed-use development in Camden, London. This is the product’s first large-scale commercial application.

Adaptavate produces Breathaboard from renewable agricultural feedstocks as a scalable, CO₂-sequestering alternative to conventional gypsum wallboard. It offers net reduction of 4kg/m³ of CO₂.

US: Eagle Materials raised its sales in the first nine months of 2024 to US$1.79bn – up by under 1% year-on-year. Its profit also grew by under 1%, to US$569m. In the group’s Light Building Materials business, gypsum wallboard sales were US$271m, up by 8% year-on-year.

President and CEO Michael Haack praised the growth in the face of ‘ongoing adverse weather’ conditions in the Midwest and Great Plains markets. He said “While the path to lower interest rates and improved home-buying affordability is less certain today, we remain optimistic about our businesses and our ability to execute on the opportunities in front of us. Steady employment, housing supply that remains chronically short and our cost-structure advantages continue to provide favourable conditions for our gypsum wallboard business.” He added “Our consistent, disciplined operational and strategic approach should position us to continue to perform well through economic cycles and deliver value over the long term.”