Gypsum industry news

Kazakhstan: Germany-based Knauf will build a US$30.5m, 225,000t/yr dry plaster mix plant in Zhambyl, creating 100 new jobs in the region. When operational, 80% of the plant’s production will supply the domestic market and 20% will supply other Central Asian countries. Business World Magazine News has reported that Knauf has secured a licence for gypsum extraction at the Ulken-Burultau deposit in the Zhambyl region with verified reserves of 84Mt.

Knauf regional representative Alexander Blumhardt said "We consider Kazakhstan as a priority direction for the development of our business in the region. The country has a powerful raw material base, a growing market and high openness to investors."

US: GMS recorded sales of US$5.35bn in the 2025 financial year, down by 6% year-on-year. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 19%, to US$501m. The group noted a fourth-quarter decline in its gypsum wallboard sales of 10%, to US$527m, 40% of group quarterly sales of US$1.33bn.

President and CEO John Turner noted the ‘solid results,’ despite the ‘deterioration in end-market conditions as we moved through the year.’ Looking ahead to the current, 2026 financial year, he said “The ongoing challenging interest rate environment and general market uncertainty continue to be a headwind for the business, contributing to reduced levels of activity in each of our major end markets. We are cautiously optimistic that we are nearing the bottom of this cycle and believe pent-up demand will materialise as the macro-environment improves. Once this market demand returns, we will be well-positioned to capture the opportunity as a leaner and more efficient organisation."

Philippines: The Tariff Commission has ordered that anti-dumping duties of 9% be imposed on imports of gypsum wallboard from Thailand for a period of five years. The commission has found that imports caused ‘material injury’ to domestic gypsum wallboard production. In specifying the rate of duties, the commission named two Thai exporters of gypsum wallboard in particular: Gypman Tech Company and Thai Gypsum Products.

During the period under investigation (January 2019 – September 2024), dumped gypsum wallboard accounted for 71% of imports.

UK: Adaptavate has concluded an agreement for builders merchant Jewson to stock and sell its Breathaplasta lime-based plasters at outlets across the UK. Jewson customers have already had access to Breathaplasta plasters at the retailer’s Norwich, Tavistock and Romford outlets. Breathaplasta’s formulation regulates indoor humidity to prevent mould and condensation. Sales of the product grew by 45% year-on-year in 2024. It is Adaptavate’s first market-ready product, ahead of it carbon-negative Breathaboard alternative wallboard.

Jewson Innovations Manager Matthew Handley said "Developing the solutions and access for tradespeople to build more sustainably is our shared responsibility and our collective goal."

UK: Adaptavate has formed a strategic partnership with lime producer SigmaRoc to industrially scale production of its Breathaboard calcium carbonate-based wallboard, with 4kg/m²-reduced CO₂ emissions. The partners will collaborate on the establishment of a supply chain throughout Europe. Additionally, they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for an upcoming industrial demonstrator plant project.

Adaptavate concluded its €3.16m pre-Series A funding round on 23 April 2025, with investments from SigmaRoc via its venture capital platform Skreenhouse Ventures.

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.

China: Beijing New Building Materials (BNBM) raised its revenues from its gypsum wallboard business in 2024, with a 56% rise in gross profit. The group says that it continues to strengthen its gypsum wallboard market presence. Home renovations have now risen to 35% of business sales. Taishan Gypsum increased its share of BNBM’s high-end product sales to over 2%.

Gypsum wallboard projects in Thailand and Bosnia & Herzegovina are under implementation ‘in an orderly manner’ in line with BNBM’s focus on increasing operational strength in South-East Asia, Central Asia, Periphery Middle East and Mediterranean-Europe.

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.

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."

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%.