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.

Albania: UK-based Eco Buildings Group says that it has produced 16,200m² of glass fibre-reinforced gypsum panels for delivery under a €4m deal with a modular construction company. Alliance News has reported that the customer is still completing foundation work for the relevant project.

CEO Sanjay Bowry said "Our ability to produce 16,200m² of modular walls under single-shift operations not only demonstrates our excellent operational effectiveness but also sets the stage for even greater production capacity."

Eco Buildings Group has secured sales contracts in Albania and Kosovo worth up to €114m. It is reportedly seeking to diversifying its customer base to include construction firms working on larger, non-modular projects.

India: FACT - RCF Building Products (FRBL) plans to double production of its Gypwall product. The decision follows the Kerala Mission Livelihood Inclusion and Financial Empowerment housing scheme’s approval of Gypwall, according to the Hindu newspaper. The state government aims to build 430,000 houses in five years.

FRBL, a joint venture between FACT and Rashtriya Chemicals, produces Gypwall, a load bearing prefrabicated walling system. It consists of gypsum plaster reinforced with glass fibre. The company produces 86,000m²/yr of panels at its plant in Ambalmugal in Kochi.