Gypsum industry news

US: Xeriant will begin to produce its Nexboard alternative wallboard for sale at some time in the near-term future after making further recipe adjustments focused on ensuring fire safety. The company has contracted large-scale production to a ‘well-established’ producer, with which it is currently in the setup stage. It is also in talks with a bank about finance.

CEO Keith Duffy said "After initial fire testing at a national certification laboratory in June 2024, we engaged a polymer chemist to refine Nexboard's composition with a focus on passing the rigorous NFPA 286 fire safety test. This step followed several modifications in the base material and fire-retardant compositions and the finalisation of a production method that ensures the highest-volume, best quality and lowest-cost output. This extensive research and testing over many months has led us to believe that the additional changes will enable Nexboard to meet or even surpass the existing code requirements for building materials used in our targeted applications."

US: ML Environmental Group has secured a strategic partnership and exclusive US distribution agreement with gypsum wallboard recycling technology producer Scott Equipment Company. Scott Equipment Company produces the GypStream paper backing removal system. Together, the companies say that they will expand the gypsum wallboard recycling solutions offering available to US customers.

Scott Equipment Company business development and product marketing manager Kevin Pedretti said "Our recycling systems, including both the food waste organics recovery system and the gypsum wallboard separation and recovery machines, position nicely with ML Environmental Group's vision to offer their customers an end-to-end solution.” He continued "We have been very impressed with the leadership and growth of ML Environmental and look forward to making the world a better place with this partnership."

Spain: Knauf España has signed an agreement with the Arquitectes per l’Arquitectura association with the aim of supporting sustainable and universal architecture. The partnership compliments other initiatives Knauf holds in the country with the Higher Council of Colleges of Architects of Spain, the Green Building Council, the College of Architects of Madrid, the Alejandro de la Sota Foundations and Architecture and Society.

Belgium/US: MoistTech and Belgium’s Weighing & Inspection have announced a strategic partnership to provide moisture measurement capabilities for manufactured materials to customers in the Benelux region. The partnership is intended to improve productivity and streamline operations for customers by implementing near-infrared (NIR) technology for moisture measurement and control. An initial primary focus will be developing a joint marketing capability.

“MoistTech is excited to partner with Weighing & Inspection to enhance our delivery of new features to the moisture measurement industry. This will enable us to become more efficient and reduce costs for a larger audience,” said Adrian Fordham, President of MoistTech.