Gypsum industry news

New Zealand: Parliament has passed the Building Act, allowing the import of ‘thousands’ of building products, including gypsum wallboard, insulation and cladding systems. The act allows for cited standards, according to which the Minister for Building Construction will be able to issue a notice to recognise overseas product standards and certification schemes for local use.

Scoop News has reported that the government introduced the bill to help lower prices, following 40% rises since 2019, and to ease shortages.

Kyrgyzstan: The government has informed the World Trade Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Commission of a temporary ban on imports of gypsum boards, tiles and other products. CA-News has reported that the ban will remain in force for six months.

Philippines: Knauf Philippines has asked the Tariff Commission to recommend a new import duty on gypsum wallboard from Thailand, the Manila Times newspaper has reported. Thai wallboard was subject to a provisional anti-dumping duty from November 2024 – March 2025, following a 30% drop in local production from 2022 levels. Meanwhile in Thailand, producers’ capacity utilisation ended 2024 at 57%. As a result, it the industry is attempting to increase its efficiency, maximise its production and possibly target export markets like the Philippines, according to Knauf Philippines.

Director Mark Dewey Sergio said "We have reason to believe that the threat will continue."

Pakistan: The government will launch its first ever National Minerals Harmonisation Framework for 2025 on 8 April 2025. The aim of the framework is to streamline and standardise mining regulations across provinces and territories, with a view to attracting investments. It will include tax incentives, fast-tracked licensing and a dispute resolution mechanism. The News International has reported that provincial governments collaborated in drawing up the framework.

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%.

Vietnam: Data from the Ministry of Industry and Trade indicates that the chemical and fertiliser sector is generating 1.4Mt/yr of phosphogypsum. It identified Dinh Vu DAP Plant in Hai Phong City, Lao Cai No. 2 DAP Plant and Duc Giang - Lao Cai DAP Plant as the three largest generators of the byproduct, according to the Sài Gòn Giải Phóng newspaper. The high volumes of phosphogypsum being created require large storage areas to be built. However, companies are facing issues expanding storage sites due to environmental regulations.

The Ministry of Construction has proposed establishing accounting regulations for phosphogypsum, ash and slag from fertiliser, chemical and thermoelectric plants. It is also promoting research into using ash, slag and gypsum as replacements for aggregate in road infrastructure projects.

Philippines: The Tariff Commission (TC) will be running public hearings from late March 2025 that will consider implementing a permanent anti-dumping duty on gypsum wallboard imported from Thailand. The import tax is being considered following a petition by Knauf Gypsum Philippines in late 2023, according to the Business Mirror newspaper. In November 2024 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty in the form of a cash bond for four months until March 2025.

In a government investigation into the situation, the subsidiary of Germany-based Knauf alleged that wallboard was imported from Thailand at ‘dumped’ prices in 2022. Other companies claimed that these imports started to negatively affect the market in 2019, leading to lower revenue and decreased profits.

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: 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: 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.