Global Gypsum Newsletter

Issue: GGM65 / 03 June 2025

Headlines


Saudi Arabia: National Gypsum Company has appointed Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Fahd Al-Thunayan as its new Chair. The company’s board of directors convened on 2 June 2025 to decide the appointment.


US: The Gypsum Association has appointed Christian Chinsio as its new Director of Codes, Standards and Research. Chinsio has 28 years’ experience in management and technical roles in the building materials industry. He is Technical Development Manager at CertainTeed Gypsum, with responsibility over product rationalisation, competitive testing and quality improvements across plants nationwide. He previously represented CertainTeed Gypsum on the Gypsum Association's Building Code and Technical Committee. Other prior management roles include positions at Continental Building Products and Lafarge North America.

Gypsum Association Executive Director Steve Meima said "Christian's 28 years of building products manufacturing experience, the past 25 being specific to gypsum panel and gypsum products manufacturing, is sure to serve well the interests of our members and the technical information needs of architectural, engineering and construction professionals."


US: Eagle Materials recorded sales of US$2.3bn in the 2025 financial year, which ended on 31 March 2025. This corresponds to a rise of less than 1% year-on-year. Group net earnings were US$463m, down by 3%.

In the Light Materials segment, revenues rose by less than 1% to US$2.26bn. This was driven by increased recycled paperboard sales volumes and prices. Gypsum wallboard sales volumes were 279Mm2, up slightly year-on-year. They rose in price by 1%, to US$2.54/m2. As a result, revenues from gypsum wallboard reached US$846m, up by 0.8% from US$840m in the 2024 financial year.


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: Georgia-Pacific has released its 2024 Stewardship Report, highlighting progress across five operational pillars: Challenge, Connect, Conserve, Contribute and Control. Under the Contribute pillar of responsible products, Georgia-Pacific noted the launch of its DensDeck gypsum roofing panels, which are designed to be able to support solar panel installations on commercial buildings. Meanwhile, under the Control pillar of impact mitigation, Georgia-Pacific noted the implementation of a No Idling policy for trucks at its Sweetwater plant in Texas.

The company’s SO₂ emissions fell by 26,000t (75%) in the 14-year period since 2010, with further reductions planned.

Georgia-Pacific has historically published a full Sustainability Report along with its results for full financial years, ending 31 March.


US: Workers have walked out of Saint-Gobain CertainTeed’s Blue Diamond gypsum plant in Nevada after rejecting the company's final contract offer. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has reported that 70 of the plant’s employees will participate in the action in protest against the contract offer, which fell ‘way short of acceptable.’


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."


Saudi Arabia: National Gypsum Company recorded sales of US$4.48m in the first quarter of 2025, down by 0.6% year-on-year. Group net profit rose by 67% to US$352,000. Mist News has reported that sales grew by 26% quarter-on-quarter from the fourth quarter of 2024.


India: Saint-Gobain Gyproc India has launched the country's first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for plaster. Press Trust of India News has reported that that the EPD covers Elite 100, Elite MR and Xpert+ plasters produced at the company's Chennai plant.

Plasters Vice President Tridiv Ojha said "This milestone creates a platform for us to engage with our partners in sustainable progress.”


Brazil: Trevo Drywall has named Wilson Soares as its new CEO. In the role, Soares will be responsible for leading the US$25m expansion of the group’s 16Mm²/yr Juazeiro do Norte gypsum wallboard plant. The unit’s capacity will increase to 30Mm²/yr by 2026. The company subsequently plans to build a second plant.

Prior to joining Trevo Drywall, Soares served as general director of packaging producer Smurfit Westrock and industrial director of its Brazil-based subsidiary WestRock Brazil. His 29-year career also includes positions at food producer Danone and beverages producer Ambev. Soares holds a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from Fundação Dom Cabral and a degree in mechanical engineering from Rio de Janeiro State University.


US: Paul Johnson Drywall (PJD) has acquired the assets of gypsum wallboard supply and installation contractor Advanced Drywall Systems. Advanced Drywall Systems serves New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Its entire team will stay on as part of PJD.

Advanced Drywall Systems director David Bedo noted the growth opportunities presented by the acquisition, adding "We are most excited about the opportunity to deliver the market-leading service that Advanced Drywall Systems is known for to more of the region's homebuilders."


Serbia: Japan-based Mitsubishi Power has installed all major equipment and completed 96% of construction of a €220m flue gas desulphurisation installation at state-owned utilities provider EPS’ Nikola Tesla B coal-fired power plant in Belgrade. EPS will supply gypsum generated by the system for use in local construction. The Japan International Cooperation Agency supplied financial support for the project.

Mitsubishi Power previously commenced trials of a similar system at the neighbouring Nikola Tesla A power plant in April 2024.


North America: Saint-Gobain North America has won a Silver Stevie Award in the Large Manufacturing Company of the Year category for its circularity initiatives, rapid growth and commitment to US industrial development. 3BL News has reported that the company will claim the prize at the 23rd annual American Business Awards ceremony in New York City later in 2025.

The recognition comes as Saint-Gobain celebrates its 360-year anniversary. It has invested a combined US$400m in plant expansions and upgrades scheduled to come online in 2025, including building North America’s first carbon-neutral gypsum wallboard plant at its Montreal facility in Quebec, Canada.


Senegal: UK-based modular construction firm Eco Buildings Group has formed a joint venture with facilities management and logistics company G2 Invest Group. G2 Invest Group has committed US$1.98m for a 35% stake in Eco Buildings Senegal, which will fund a new plant to produce Eco Buildings Group’s glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GRFG) wallboards in Senegal. Eco Buildings Group says that it has appointed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor to implement the production facility.

Eco Buildings Group CEO Sanjay Bowry said "We are now entering the execution phase,” and noted the company’s “readiness to deliver modular housing at scale in West Africa."

A delegation from G2 Invest visited Eco Buildings' existing plant in Albania earlier in 2025. The companies will collaborate on plant setup, technology transfer and a workforce training programme.


India: Knauf India has launched its new DewBloc moisture-resistant gypsum wallboard. The product features a novel additive formulation against moisture absorption and infiltration.

CEO Sumit Bidani said "Designed to combine strength, durability and aesthetic appeal, DewBloc addresses a critical industry challenge - moisture damage in interiors. It is especially well-suited for wet area applications and offers reliable performance during the monsoon season."