Oman: The chief executives of the major gypsum mining companies have endorsed new regulations issued by the Public Authority for Mining (PAM) calling for a minimum export price for gypsum. The company leaders also agreed to establish the Oman Gypsum Association (OGA), an organisation intended to support the industry, according to the Oman Daily Observer newspaper. The decision follows the intervention by the PAM in December 2016 when it set minimum export freight on board (FOB) price for raw gypsum at US$12.50/t.

Following the intervention, local gypsum exporters are barred from exporting raw gypsum below this price. Those found in breach of this regulation will be denied export permits, while repeat offenders could have their mining licences removed.

Switzerland: Sika is expecting a record profit in 2016 following a 5.6% year-on-year rise in sales to Euro05.4bn in 2016. The construction chemicals producer reported growth in all regions, with above-average growth rates recorded in the USA, Mexico, the UK, Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia.

"With investments in nine new factories, four new national subsidiaries and four acquisitions, we have established the basis for future growth. These 17 investments, together with our pipeline of new products and our strong sales organisation, allow us to look with much confidence to the future," said Sika's chief executive officer Jan Jenisch.

Thailand: Thai Gypsum Products plans to focus on links with partners to launch more products in 2017. Managing director Richard Juggery said this was part of this company's strategy to expand and strengthen collaborations with domestic and international market partners, according to the Nation newspaper. He added that the company hopes to grow exports or expansion plans in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. The subsidiary of Saint-Gobain has gypsum wallboard plants at Laem Chabang, Chon Buri and Bang Pa-in, Ayutthaya.

Switzerland: Sika has received an appeal by Schenker-Winkler Holding against a ruling by the Cantonal Court of Zug on 28 October 2016 that blocked the sale of Burkard-Schenker's shares to Saint-Gobain. At the time Saint-Gobain said that it still wanted to buy Sika and that its agreement with the Burkard family is valid until June 2017, with an option to extend it until December 2018.