China: Grenzebach BSH, a leading global supplier of process and production technologies, has received a ‘significant’ order from XINFA Group for the supply of two gypsum wallboard lines to XINFA’s existing production plant at its headquarters in Chiping-Liaocheng, Shandong Province. XINFA, one of the world’s leading aluminium manufacturers, will expand its gypsum wallboard production capacity to approximately 830,000m²/day (273Mm²/yr). This will make its plant the world’s largest, and is the second time that XINFA has relied on Grenzebach’s expertise.

XINFA Group runs its own coal-fired power plants to cover the high electricity requirements of its aluminium plants. Flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) gypsum is produced during the purification of the exhaust gases. Using Grenzebach equipment, XINFA has been able to recycle this gypsum to produce gypsum wallboard since 2021.

Robert Brier, CEO of Grenzebach BSH, said “The project demonstrates how close we are to our customers and our competitiveness, as well as our innovative strength in supplying manufacturing plants with a focus on sustainability aspects. By recycling the FGD gypsum, we are supporting our customer’s circular economy, while at the same time using the electricity generated and the waste heat from the power plants to operate the gypsum dryers and systems.”

US: Xeriant has partnered with a ‘leading US-based compounding facility’ for lab-scale production and testing of its Nexboard alternative wallboard. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that the collaboration will centre on modification of Nexboard’s intumescent system. The aim is to increase its fire resistance in line with the NFPA 286 fire test-based safety standard for interior wall and ceiling finishes.

Xeriant CEO Keith Duffy said "This collaboration leverages decades of experience in processing and testing plastic composite formulations. Their vast knowledge base, combined with the ability to produce and test small samples, allows us to compress the product development life cycle, lowering costs and shortening the timeline to full-scale production."

Canada: Fortune Minerals has appointed Worley Canada Services to lead an updated feasibility study and assist with permitting for the NICO bismuth, cobalt, copper and gold mine project in Northwest Territories. Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that the project includes a hydrometallurgical plant in neighbouring Alberta that will precipitate gypsum for sale.

Fortune Minerals secured US$12.5m in funding from Alberta Innovates, Natural Resources Canada and the US Department of Defence. The finances will support studies, including for the hydrometallurgical plant, environmental assessments, management plans and authorisations.

US: Cold-formed steel framing products company ClarkDietrich has acquired fellow framing producer Studs Unlimited from building materials distributor Foundation Building Materials. ClarkDietrich says that the Oklahoma City-based business will help to accelerate its growth.

ClarkDietrich president Brian Panuccio said "We are excited to welcome the Studs Unlimited employees to the ClarkDietrich family. This geographic expansion will help us amplify our service levels to our customers located in the Midwestern US. We will be significantly expanding the existing footprint of Studs Unlimited by adding square footage and machinery to the operation."