Gypsum industry news

US: Saint-Gobain North America has launched a new programme of partnerships with high schools in US host communities called Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities. The producer will supply partner schools with a curriculum of classes on manufacturing, with accompanying visits to its plants.

The launch follows earlier pilots at schools in Granville, North Carolina, and Shakopee, Minnesota. It will expand to include 10 additional sites in the 2025 – 2026 school year, followed by further planned expansions throughout the US and Canada.

Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed President and CEO Mark Rayfield said "Our Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities programme is a win-win for students, the manufacturing industry and local economies. In the manufacturing industry anyone can have a long and successful career, and by bringing manufacturing directly to high schools, we aim to show students the rewarding role they can play in building the future of the industry."

US: National Gypsum has donated US$1m to 42 schools and non-profit organisations in the US and Canada. Employees from subsidiaries including Gold Bond Building Products, Gold Bond Canada, PermaBASE Building Products, ProForm Finishing Products and Unifix nominated the beneficiaries.

Chair Thomas Nelson said that initiatives of this kind are “crucial in equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge to become innovative leaders.”

Egypt: Knauf Egypt has entered into a partnership to supply Hassan Allam Construction with building materials for more than 100 upcoming projects. Arab Finance News has reported that Knauf Egypt’s delivery on the contracts will reflect its commitment to the Egypt Vision 2030 national sustainable development strategy.

Knauf Egypt recently invested US$640,000 in a collaboration with the German Society for International Cooperation to train 4000 Egyptian construction sector specialists per year.

US: The Gypsum Association has been designated a Preferred Provider under the International Code Council (ICC) Preferred Provider Program (PPP). The Gypsum Association already is an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education System (CES) Provider.

The ICC PPP provides building code officials and others with education related to codes, standards, and guidelines, as well as building construction materials, products and methods. The Gypsum Association intends to provide online education for its GA-600 Fire Resistance Design Manual, a publication offering fire resistive designs referenced by model building codes.