Uzbekistan: Knauf is planning to invest Euro40m to expand production of gypsum boards and gypsum-based mortars, Dmitry Deripalko, the director-general of Knauf Gips Bukhara, has said. Knauf operates a gypsum wallboard business and a gypsum-based mortar company in Uzbekistan, according to Uzbekistan Daily.

The gypsum wallboard plant run by Bukharagips will be expanded first with a 30% increase in production capacity to be completed by early 2017. Then a new plant will be built at Knauf Gips Bukhara to increase production of gypsum-based mortars. Deripalko said that the project will be paid for via re-investment. Around Euro10m will be spent on construction and the remaining Euro30m on buying equipment. Kanuf also plans to launch a floor gypsum boards in the country.

Bukharagips produces 25Mm²/yr of gypsum wallboard. Knauf Gips Bukhara produces up to 60,000t/yr of mortars.

Belgium: Etex's cladding and building board sales revenue rose by 5% year-on-year to Euro1.44bn in 2015 from Euro1.38bn in 2014. It attributed the growth to a strong market in the UK, stabilised performance in construction markets in Germany and the Benelux region and recovery in most of South America.

Overall the company reported that its revenue rose by 2.3% to Euro3.05bn from Euro2.99bn. However, its profit fell by 60% to Euro37m from Euro95m. This was attributed to restructuring in Argentina, France and Germany and impairment charges. The cladding and building board business represents 47% of Etex's building products portfolio. It built three gypsum wallboard plants, in Peru, Brazil and Romania, in 2015.

Etex expects to achieve modest growth in revenue and profit in 2016.

Sweden: Gyproc Saint-Gobain has commissioned a new Claudius Peters type EM 65-592 grinding and drying mill, to be installed at its Gyproc Balsta plant.

The project, which includes dismantling of the existing mill and erection of the new one within a six-week time frame, uses Claudius Peters' newly developed hydraulic tensioning system for adjustment of grinding pressure. This system, installed here for the very first time, has been specially developed to optimize the efficiency of the grinding and drying processes and also to aid maintenance.

"This new EM drying and grinding mill, representing the very latest in technology from Claudius Peters, delivers unprecedented levels of efficiency and precision. We are delighted to be partnering with Gyproc Saint-Gobain in this project," said Stephan Oehme, sales director for Claudius Peters.

Commissioning of the new mill is planned for the middle of July 2016.

UK: Etex Group has merged Siniat, Promat and EOS Facades to create Etex Building Performance UK. The new division will combine technical knowledge and research and development resources in the dry construction sector. Etex intends to create new products aimed at reduced installation times whilst catering to specifiers' requirements.

The division will employ over 500 people, with production sites in Bristol, Yorkshire and County Durham. It will be led by Neil Ash, the managing director of Siniat UK, who will become Head of Etex Building Performance UK. Each company will continue to trade separately in the UK as Siniat, Promat and EOS Facades.

"Our vision is singular - to be the leading expert in dry construction, concentrating our efforts on creating solutions for the buildings of tomorrow. The three brands within Etex Building Performance complement each other and are well known for their innovation, high-quality manufacturing and technical know-how," said Ash.

Siniat produces drywall products and Promat specialises in passive fire protection. Siniat acquired EOS Facades, a provider of Steel Frame Systems, on 8 April 2016,