Gypsum industry news

UK: Knauf UK has announced a collaboration with Modulous, a company that supplies technology products to support offsite construction. The light building materials producer has become a supply chain partner with Modulous. It also gave Modulous space at its Sittingbourne headquarters site to build a demonstration module, which was completed at the end of 2021.

Liam Poole, the head of marketing at Knauf UK, said, “We came on board as an early supply-chain partner because Modulous has built an inspired solution to some of the biggest pain points in construction and development.”

Modulous is marketing a set of digital products that connect manufacturers, designers and clients in the construction sector. It claims it is an efficient way to develop residential buildings at speed and scale. The company offers a virtual design for any building, complete with product selections and assembly instructions, which contractors can then use to build modules and assemble them on site. Modulous uses a so-called ‘kit of parts’ to help contractors assemble the modules. Knauf’s contribution towards this includes products such as floors, external walls, interior partitioning systems and spray finishes.

Ireland: Belgium-based Etex has acquired multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Evolusion Innovation. The group says that the new subsidiary will join its New Ways division. It said that the acquisition is ‘another step’ in the execution of its ambition to become a global leader in offsite construction.

Evolusion Innovation develops and certifies construction materials and components and high-rise building systems. It employs 40 people at its Cork headquarters in County Cork.

France: Belgium-based Etex has acquired a majority stake in offsite housing construction company e-Loft. The company employs 180 people and makes products in modular residential and other custom-designed buildings using its ‘3D wood’ building technology. It will join the group’s New Ways division. The division develops sustainable, industrialised and modular construction solutions.

Etex chief executive officer Paul Van Oyen said, “We are very pleased to welcome e-Loft into our New Ways division and enthusiastic about the growth opportunities that this strategic acquisition offers to both of our companies. The addition of e-Loft to our global team of experienced lightweight and modular construction businesses further reinforces our ambition to become a leader in future-focussed, sustainable building solutions.”