Global Gypsum Newsletter

Issue: GGM69 / 05 November 2025

Headlines


US: Eagle Materials reported sales of US$1.27bn in the first half of the 2026 financial year, up by 3% year-on-year from US$1.23bn. Cost of sales rose by 6% from US$842m to US$888m. Comprehensive earnings fell by 6% from US$277m to US$261m.

The second half of the financial year commences with Eagle Materials ‘well positioned’ to captured an anticipated upswing in demand. In its gypsum business, the company noted a ‘favourable longer-term view’ with ‘significant underbuilding.’ Affordability issues continue to depress single-family residential construction. The business’ key markets of Heartland (central northern US) and Sunbelt (trans-southern US) are both set to continue to grow.


US: Saint-Gobain subsidiary CertainTeed Interior Products Group has successfully doubled the production capacity of its Palatka, Florida, gypsum wallboard plant. The producer says that the expansion has created 110 new jobs at the plant and made it the largest in the world. The project received US$7m in total funding and tax credits from state and county governments.

President and CEO Mark Rayfield called the Palatka plant ‘A vital part of our operations.’


Chile: Eco Buildings Group has won a public sector contract to deliver 20,000 modular homes using its glass fibre-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) modular systems technology. The contract will span seven years. Eco Buildings Group says that it marks the start of its full-scale commercial roll-out in Latin America.

The Chilean government has made a down payment of US$14.8m for a first tranche of 1210 homes, which are already designated for occupation by families.


Norway/Sweden: NOAH has launched a circular gypsum production partnership with Sweden-based climate control equipment producer Munters Group and utilities provider Stockholm Exergi. NOAH will produce 6500t/yr of gypsum at its Langøya test centre in Norway using 4.3t/day of salt residues from Munters Group's Tobo plant in Sweden, and fly ash and tin acid supplied by Stockholm Exergi. A planned 30,000t/yr gypsum wallboard? plant will follow. NOAH has signed a letter of intent with gypsum wallboard producer Norgips for the supply of its gypsum for use in wallboard production.

CEO at Norgips Christian Stålem said “We are creating a circular value chain where industrial residues become gypsum.”


Argentina: Gypsum wallboard consumption fell by 11.5% in August 2025 relative to the same month of 2024, while gypsum plaster consumption fell by 8.0% over the same timeframe. Other building materials, including cement, lime and hollow bricks all saw double-digit percentage decreases, while asphalt, granite and limestone all saw double-digit increases.


US: Lowe's Companies Inc. has announced that it has acquired Foundation Building Materials (FBM), a wholesale distributor of building materials and construction products. The deal, which went through on 9 October 2025, came about two months after Lowe’s announced it had agreed to purchase FBM for US$8.8bn in August 2025.

Lowe's said in a press release that the completed deal is expected to enhance the company's offerings to professional builders by providing a wider variety of products, faster fulfilment times, improved digital tools and a robust trade credit platform.

FBM currently has 370 locations across the US and Canada and serves about 40,000 customers. It primarily sells to construction professionals and not the general public, meaning this acquisition won't significantly affect regular Lowe's customers. FBM supplies building materials, including wallboard, plaster, stucco and more.


US: Gypsum Management & Supply Inc. (GMS), has acquired the assets of Brown Machinery, a commercial and residential supplier of stucco, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS), concrete blocks, masonry and related products. Brown Machinery has four locations that serve Oklahoma and North Texas.

The newly-acquired company is expected to continue operating under its existing branding and will further support GMS’s presence throughout Oklahoma and surrounding markets. General Manager Justin Owens will continue to lead the business going forward, ensuring continuity and consistency for its customers, suppliers and employees.

John C Turner, Jr, President and CEO of GMS, said “We are pleased to welcome Brown Machinery and its team of respected and knowledgeable professionals to GMS. Reflecting the continued execution of our growth strategy, bringing the Brown Machinery team into the GMS family of brands will further expand distribution coverage of our Complementary Products throughout Oklahoma and surrounding markets while providing an even higher level of service to our customers.”


Russia/Germany: A prospective buyer has reportedly ‘broken off’ talks over the sale of Germany-based Knauf’s Russian business. The producer says that it will continue its efforts to withdraw from Russia ‘in accordance with the applicable sanctions,’ under ‘very difficult conditions.’

AK&M News has reported that Knauf owns 20 Russian companies in industries that include gypsum. The assets remain exclusively under local management, without any profit currently passing to Knauf.


US: Saint-Gobain North America has launched a new programme of partnerships with high schools in US host communities called Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities. The producer will supply partner schools with a curriculum of classes on manufacturing, with accompanying visits to its plants.

The launch follows earlier pilots at schools in Granville, North Carolina, and Shakopee, Minnesota. It will expand to include 10 additional sites in the 2025 – 2026 school year, followed by further planned expansions throughout the US and Canada.

Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed President and CEO Mark Rayfield said "Our Sustaining Futures, Raising Communities programme is a win-win for students, the manufacturing industry and local economies. In the manufacturing industry anyone can have a long and successful career, and by bringing manufacturing directly to high schools, we aim to show students the rewarding role they can play in building the future of the industry."