Global Gypsum Newsletter

Issue: GGM72 / 03 March 2026

Headlines


France: Saint-Gobain recorded sales of €46.5bn in 2025 a stable figure year-on-year despite a negative currency effect of 2.3%. Group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were €7.2bn, up by 3% in local currencies.

Since 2018, Saint-Gobain has divested assets with annual sales of €10bn and acquired new ones generating €7bn/yr. Earnings contributions now break down as follows: 36% Asia; 33% Western Europe; 31% North America. It targeted the construction chemicals sector, with 39 new acquisitions throughout the five-year period, including Cemix, Chryso, FOSROC and GCP. Its low-carbon product range spans 400 different products. In 2025, Saint-Gobain reduced its Scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions by 35% against a 2017 baseline. It consumed 70% decarbonised electricity, up from 39% in 2021.


France: The gypsum wallboard industry used 237,000t of discarded gypsum plaster in its wallboard production in 2025, according to data from standards body National Association of Plaster Industries (SNIP). SNIP says that the number of gypsum recycling plants is set to rise from 13 to 16 in 2026. It called for a reform of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Construction Products and Materials scheme to further increase recycling rates.


US: Mexico-based Cemex has entered into an agreement to acquire stucco producer Omega Products International. The company generated US$23m in operating cash flow in 2025. Cemex expects to close the transaction later in March 2026.


India: Prism Johnson subsidiary Prism Cement has launched Prism Chakachak gypsum plaster. The company says that the product requires no water curing and offers fire resistance and low shrinkage. Prism Cement’s 2400-strong stockist network will distribute the product as part of its Premix Walling range.


Oman: A joint venture of Kunooz Oman Holding and Belgium-based Etex plans to build a new US$26m gypsum wallboard plant, The Oman Daily Observer newspaper has reported. Additionally, the partners announced that Etex has acquired a 25% stake in Kunooz Oman Holding subsidiary Kunooz Gypsum. Kunooz Gypsum operates the 2.3Mt/yr-capacity Salalah gypsum mine in Dhofar.

Kunooz Oman Holding said “The joint venture will be supported by long-term gypsum supply agreements serving both local production and international export markets. Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the partnership will drive downstream value creation, industrial diversification and employment, while positioning Oman as a regional hub for high-value gypsum products.”

The new joint venture is owned 51% by Etex and 49% by Kunooz Oman Holding. Kunooz Oman Holding is in turn 20% owned by Omani state investment vehicle Minerals Development Oman.


Chile/Peru: Knauf has appointed Carlos Kattan as CEO for Chile and Peru, following the departure of Víctor Ide. Noticias Financieras News has reported that Kattan will advance strategic projects in both markets, including the US$102m construction of the 22Mm2/yr Puente Alto gypsum wallboard plant and Rubí quarry in San José de Maipo, Chile.

Carlos Kattan previously served as Knauf’s Central America Regional Manager and as General Manager of Knauf Honduras. He studied Industrial Distribution and Logistics, Business Administration and Management at East Carolina University, US.


Türkiye: Murat Savcı has stepped into the role of CEO at Saint-Gobain Türkiye. Savcı will manage local subsidiaries operating under 12 brands and serve on the boards of Saint-Gobain Weber Türkiye, Chryso Türkiye, Saint-Gobain Abrasives Türkiye and joint ventures İzocam and Dalsan. He will aim to strengthen the company's integrated solutions leadership in line with the group’s Lead & Grow strategy. Savcı takes over from Aykut Aydoğan, who will leave the company after serving in the role since September 2021.

Murat Savcı brings over 25 years’ building materials industry experience to the position. He has sat on the boards of İzocam, İzoder and the Association of Turkish Construction Material Producers, and was İzocam managing director from February 2020. Before that, he served as general manager of Baumit Türkiye, managing partner at AzeYapı Construction and project manager at Meuter Architekturbüro and Robert Perthel Bauunternehmung in Germany.

Savcı said "Türkiye has significant potential in the field of construction and infrastructure solutions. In the coming period we will take steps to make the best use of this potential with our strong teams. We will further develop our reduced-CO₂ and high value-added solutions, and further strengthen our business approach that creates value for society, the environment and our stakeholders by offering more integrated services to our customers."