France: Saint-Gobain has joined part of the 2016 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), ranking among the top-three global companies and the number one European company for construction products. Special mention was given to the group's commitment and initiatives to tackle climate change. Established in 1999, the DJSI distinguishes best-in-class companies in the field of corporate social responsibility.

"I am very proud to see our group included in this renowned index, which is the benchmark for Corporate Social Responsibility. It is recognition of our commitment in this endeavour. We initially set out to be listed in 2017, so we met our target a year ahead of schedule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teams for achieving this excellent result," said Pierre-André de Chalendar, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain.

Canada: Wallboard prices have risen in western Canada following the implementation of antidumping tariffs of up to 277% on gypsum wallboard from the US. Builders and suppliers fear the ruling could disrupt the supply of the product for construction projects, including the rebuilding campaign in Fort McMurray in Alberta, according to the Canadian Press news agency.

The Canada Border Services Agency imposed preliminary tariffs on 6 September 2016 on US wallboard into Canada for use in British Colombia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The provisional duty ranges from 125% on imports from CertainTeed Gypsum and Ceiling, 105% on Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, 144% on USG and 277% on all other importers.

Canada: CertainTeed Gypsum Canada has defended its decision to complain about the dumping of gypsum wallboard from the US in terms of Canadian law and jobs. Following the complaint the Canada Border Services Agency imposed preliminary tariffs on US wallboard, which has led to rises in the prices of wallboard. Groups, including certain Canadian customers and Western Canadian Associations, have called for a boycott on CertainTeed products in response to the situation.

"We filed an Anti-Dumping Complaint because drywall manufacturers based in the US were exporting large and growing volumes of products into Western Canada in the last few years at prices materially lower than those at which they are sold in the US," said the wallboard producer in statement. It added that this kind of dumping creates material injury to domestic manufacturers in the form of share loss and price and margin suppression and that this is considered an unfair trade practice sanctioned through an offsetting duty or tariff under Canadian law.

CertainTeed Gypsum Canada went on to say that as a response to US 'dumping' it had to cut jobs in Western Canada and reduce investment in its plants, mines and business. It then reiterated that since the financial crisis in 2008 it had kept all of its Western Canadian plants and operations open, while US companies had closed theirs.

The producer has wallboard plants in Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg and mines in Windermere, British Colombia and Amaranth, Manitoba that supply those plants. It employs over 1000 workers in the country.

Canada: The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has started an inquiry to determine whether the dumping of gypsum wallboard from the US has damaging effects on the local market. The inquiry follows an investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency. The tribunal will determine whether the dumping has caused injury or retardation or is threatening to cause injury to the domestic industry.

The tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body that reports to the Canadian parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidised imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. It can also offer advice on economic, trade and tariff matters.