Global Gypsum Newsletter

Issue: GGM67 / 04 September 2025

Headlines


Canada: Saint-Gobain subsidiary CertainTeed has concluded a year-long trial to increase the efficiency of CertainTeed 5/8 Type X gypsum wallboard production at its Winnipeg plant through recipe optimisation and technology upgrades. The producer adjusted its water-to-stucco ratio and replaced the line’s existing magnetic flow meters with Coriolis flow meters. It cut water usage by 1.09 million litres (3%), energy consumption by 25,000MWhr and CO₂ emissions by 5.6t year-on-year, while also increasing productivity by 5% year-on-year.

The producer now plans to roll out other water management initiatives based on the case study of the Winnipeg plant across its plants in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.


India: Knauf India has launched the GIFAfloor System, a gypsum panel-based flooring system. The system consists of high-density, fibre-core panels that are primed on both sides, and serves as an alternative to traditional wet construction methods, according to the producer. The range includes GIFA Floor DB Green raised-access floor systems, which can handle 4kN of weight, with 60 minutes’ fire resistance, and GIFAfloor FHB hollow floor systems, which can handle 20kN, with 90 minutes’ fire resistance.

CEO Sumit Bidani said "Our new GIFAfloor range reflects Knauf's drive to blend innovation with practicality. Each variant addresses a specific infrastructure need while delivering on durability, flexibility and environmental responsibility."


US: Alternative wallboard developer Xeriant has scheduled a limited production run of its recycled plastic and fibre-based Nexboard with a contract producer. Construction & Demolition Recycling News has reported that the production run will take place in August 2025.

Xeriant CEO Keith Duffy said "We are very pleased with the performance of Nexboard's fire resistance and other properties after incorporating our proprietary nanotechnology. We continue to receive strong interest from global construction leaders who are actively seeking non-toxic, fire- and water-resistant alternatives to gypsum wallboard, wood-based and cementitious panels. The latest formulation's success validates years of research and development investment, positioning Xeriant to capture market share in both traditional construction and emerging smart building applications, where performance and sustainability are paramount."


India: Saint-Gobain has commenced construction of its upcoming Oragadam gypsum wallboard plant near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The plant will also produce plaster, as well as mineral wool insulation, acoustic insulation panels and float glass. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the plant is France-based Saint-Gobain’s largest investment in the Asia-Pacific Region to date.

Saint-Gobain Asia Pacific Regional Senior Vice-President and CEO Sreedhar Natarajan noted the upcoming plant’s reliance on automation technology to ‘Enhance our ability to deliver high-performance and differentiated solutions to our customers.’


Saudi Arabia: National Gypsum Company’s sales were US$8.77m in the first half of 2025, up by 0.1% year-on-year. Its profit grew by 1%, to US$456,000. The producer noted that increased market demand offset a rise in its operating costs.