Oman: The Port of Salalah handled a record 26.4Mt of cargo in 2025, up by 17% year-on-year. Mist News has reported that dry bulk gypsum, along with limestone, was the main driver of growth in the year.

Chair of port services Braik bin Musallam al Amri said regarding the minerals that "Demand remains firmly on an upward trajectory."

France: Saint-Gobain recorded sales of €46.5bn in 2025 a stable figure year-on-year despite a negative currency effect of 2.3%. Group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were €7.2bn, up by 3% in local currencies.

Since 2018, Saint-Gobain has divested assets with annual sales of €10bn and acquired new ones generating €7bn/yr. Earnings contributions now break down as follows: 36% Asia; 33% Western Europe; 31% North America. It targeted the construction chemicals sector, with 39 new acquisitions throughout the five-year period, including Cemix, Chryso, FOSROC and GCP. Its low-carbon product range spans 400 different products. In 2025, Saint-Gobain reduced its Scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions by 35% against a 2017 baseline. It consumed 70% decarbonised electricity, up from 39% in 2021.

Uzbekistan: The government has announced plans to more than double the value of exports from the Republic of Karakalpakstan to US$900m, from US$435m in 2025. Daryo News has reported that the government will target the region’s mineral reserves for increased exploitation, including its 6.5Mt of natural gypsum. Planned industrial and service sector projects in the autonomous republic up to 2030 are valued at US$7.2bn.

France: The gypsum wallboard industry used 237,000t of discarded gypsum plaster in its wallboard production in 2025, according to data from standards body National Association of Plaster Industries (SNIP). SNIP says that the number of gypsum recycling plants is set to rise from 13 to 16 in 2026. It called for a reform of the Extended Producer Responsibility for Construction Products and Materials scheme to further increase recycling rates.