Gypsum industry news

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.

India: Representatives of the Indian and Omani government are in a fifth round of talks over a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Under the proposed agreement, the parties would reduce or eliminate customs on goods traded between the Indian Ocean nations. Gypsum is among India’s ‘key imports’ from Oman.

Cameroon: Cimpor and the government of Cameroon have signed an agreement to set up a gypsum plant in Kribi, South Cameroon. TCTBC News has reported the investment value of the plant as US$62.5m. The Cameroon Investment Promotion Agency and the Cameroon Türkiye Business Council facilitated the agreement.

New Zealand: The government has launched a ‘major’ review of competition rules to combat monopolies and improve economic productivity. Fuseworks Media News has reported that the review is partly a response to a gypsum wallboard supply ‘crisis’ in 2022.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly said "We have launched a two-pronged approach: 1 – to update the competition settings in the Commerce Act to ensure our legal framework is right; and 2 – to review the governance and effectiveness of the Commerce Commission to ensure our regulatory and enforcement framework is right."