Gypsum industry news

Kyrgyzstan: Germany-based equipment supplier Grenzebach has concluded a preliminary agreement to build a gypsum wallboard and dry construction mixes plant in southern Kyrgyzstan. Trend News has reported that the announcement is the outcome of talks in Germany between Grenzebach and representatives of the Kyrgyz government and diplomatic service.

India: The anticipated India-Oman comprehensive economic partnership agreement remains close to signing, BusinessLine Online News has reported. Nonetheless, ‘one issue’ reportedly still requires ‘ironing out.’ This is the Indian government’s rejection of Oman's Omanisation policy, which is continually increasing the proportion of Omani nationals required to be employed in the country’s industries. The Indian government has asked for a freeze to the requirements, which works to the exclusion of the Indian expat community in Oman, it says.

Bilateral trade between India and Oman was worth US$8.9bn in 2024. Gypsum is among the key Indian imports from Oman.

US: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has launched the Waste Reduction Innovation Grant (WRIG) initiative. The initiative will provide funding between US$50,000 and US$100,000 for up to 10 recycling projects and between US$500,000 and US$2m for up to four further projects. Gypsum wallboard is among the recyclables eligible for funding, along with other building materials like bitumen felt shingles and wood.

Construction & Demolition Recycling News has reported that the WRIG initiative supports Massachusetts’ Solid Waste Master Plan to reduce landfill by 30% by 2030 and by 90% by 2050.

Russia: The Norilsk Nickel Company has begun excavations at the Mokulayevsky limestone mine in Talnakh. World Service Wire News has reported that the mine will supply limestone for a newly expanded flue gas desulphurisation installation at the company’s Nadezhda metallurgical plant in Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk Krai. The installation will generate gypsum from 0.9Mt/yr of captured SO₂ emissions.

Arctic Development Project Office Expert Council Coordinator Alexander Vorotnikov said that the development will help to establish locally-sourced gypsum as a commercially-viable building product in this area of Siberia.

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.