Global Gypsum Newsletter

Issue: GGM78 / 01 October 2026

Headlines


UK: Saint-Gobain has signed a renewable electricity purchase agreement with TotalEnergies for 60GWh/yr to supply the group’s industrial sites in UK. The agreement will take effect in April 2027 for a period of five years. This contract, the first of its kind in the UK, will cover more than 20% of its annual electricity consumption in the country. The group has already been purchasing certified renewable electricity since 2016 in the UK, covering 100% of its operational usage in the country.

David Molho, Senior Vice-President, CEO Northern Europe Region said “Saint-Gobain is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Delivering on this ambition requires the decarbonisation of our production processes around the world. Thanks to this agreement, Saint-Gobain in the UK is taking a major step forward towards this objective with a reliable and continuous supply of renewable electricity.” In 2025, decarbonised electricity represented 70% of Saint-Gobain’s global electricity consumption, compared with 39% in 2021.


Germany: Knauf has appointed Michael Rosskopf as the head of its gypsum business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH) from 1 January 2027. He succeeds Jan Ellringmann in the role, who has also been head of the DACH region on an interim basis.

Rosskopf joined Knauf in 2012 as Head Inhouse Consulting. He later became Chief Financial Officer – Asia Pacific in 2021 and then Managing Director Systems Division at Knauf Insulation in 2024. He previously worked for PwC from 2007 to 2012. He holds a master’s degree in finance, strategy and international management from the Finance, Strategy and International Management.


Tanzania: Knauf East Africa has introduced new branding for its gypsum wallboard products. It is now using end tapes on the boards with colour identification to make product identification easier. Grey is used for Regular Gypsum Board, pink for Fire Resistance Gypsum Boards and Green for Moisture Resistance Gypsum Boards.


Saudi Arabia: National Gypsum Company recorded sales of US$11.5m in the first half of 2026, up by 31% year-on-year. The producer attributed the rise to a growth in its gypsum wallboard sales volumes, which more than doubled year-on-year. The producer reported a net loss of US$1.83m, more than double the figure for the first half of 2025. This it attributed to increased costs and the additional cost of ramping up a new line at its Riyadh gypsum wallboard plant during the period.


Uzbekistan: Officials from Qashqadaryo Region and investors from Azerbaijan have visited the site of the upcoming Qashqadaryo gypsum wallboard plant in Kamashin District. Azer-Press News has reported that the parties will work together to resolve ‘operational issues’ that have caused delays to the project. They have agreed to resolve customs clearance procedures for compressor air tanks, and to collaborate with relevant organisations over issues affecting the plant's electricity and natural gas supply.

When operational, the plant will have a capacity of 165,000t/yr and employ 65 people. Total planned investments are US$50m.


Canada: Saint-Gobain subsidiary CertainTeed Canada has launched its CertainTeed Recycle gypsum recycling programme in Quebec. The programme offers users free bins for their refuse gypsum products at specific Manugypse, Proulx and Pont Masson retail sites around Montreal. ENP Newswire has reported that the Québécoise Environment Ministry has approved CertainTeed's Sainte-Catherine plant in Montreal to receive 80,000t/yr of gypsum refuse for recycling in partnership with New West Gypsum Recycling. The plant successfully collaborated in a pilot with the City of Sainte-Catherine earlier in 2026.


Tunisia: Knauf Tunisia plans to ‘revive’ its 180,000t/yr Tataouine gypsum plaster plant at an investment cost of US$23.6m. African Manager News has reported that the Governor of Tataouine, Amir Gabsi, chaired a meeting over the project with Knauf Tunisia representatives on 17 September 2026. The Governor has asked relevant parties to launch administrative procedures for requisite licences and easements. Authorities originally approved the restart in 2012, and operations had previously been due to recommence in 2020.


Spain: Representatives of Grupo Torralba, Knauf Iberica and the Port Authority of Almería (APA) met to discuss port infrastructure construction plans for the APA’s Almería and Carboneras ports. The APA has terminated a former agreement with utilities provider Endesa over two 17m quays at the Port of Carboneras, and is in the process of expanding the Pechina quay at the Port of Almeria by 260m.

Grupo Torralba and Knauf Iberica are among the ports’ main cargo operators, where they despatch gypsum from their Sorbas and Tabernas mines in Almería Province. The province exported a total 13Mt of gypsum in 2025.


Spain: BS Group subsidiary Formatt Building Products Spain has reached 85% completion in its construction of its upcoming €80m Calahorra gypsum wallboard plant in the El Recuenco industrial estate in La Rioja. The project of regional strategic interest is on schedule for completion in 2027. Europa Press News has reported that the plant will also recycle gypsum products and use recycled gypsum in its gypsum wallboard production.

BS Group owns one existing gypsum wallboard plant in La Rioja and seven others across Spain.

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