Gypsum industry news

India: The Industries and Commerce Department of the Andhra Pradesh state government has granted Saint-Gobain India an extension to the duration a package of financial incentives will be available for the construction of its new gypsum wallboard plant at Atchutapuram, Visakhapatnam. The company now has until June 2022 to commence commercial production, according to the Hindu newspaper. The producer’s total investment in the project is US$268m. When finally commissioned, the plant will employ 450 locals. It will also manufacture float glass.

Saint-Gobain India also received permission from the department to change its name to Saint-Gobain Industries.

US: Pacific Coast Building Products gypsum wallboard subsidiary PABCO Building Products has appointed Phil Bonnell as its new president from 1 July 2021. Bonnell began working at Pacific Coast Building Products in 2003 as Basalite Northwest and Canada operations general manager. He joined PABCO Building Products in 2017 as gypsum and paper senior vice president, and also took over responsibility of the company’s roofing operations in April 2021. Bonnell has a degree from Colorado State University and an MBA from Pepperdine University.

US: The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Gypsum in the First Quarter 2021 report has shown a 2% year-on-year increase in sales of gypsum-based board products to 624Mm² in the first quarter of 2021 from 609Mm² in the same period in 2020. Calcined gypsum used by board producers rose by 3% to 5.6Mt from 5.5Mt. Natural gypsum production fell by 4% year-on-year to 5.0Mt from 5.2Mt, synthetic gypsum production remained level at 3.6Mt and gypsum imports rose by 14% to 1.6Mt from 1.4Mt.

US: GMS has completed its acquisition of interior building products distributor Westside Building Material. The group says that it funded the US$135m deal with cash-on-hand and available borrowings on its revolving credit facility.

President and chief executive officer John Turner said, “Building on the momentum of our very solid fourth quarter 2021 earnings report, we are pleased to announce the successful completion of this transaction and welcome the Westside team to GMS. Westside significantly increases our reach in several major California markets and represents our first foray into the Las Vegas market. Expanding our geographic platform through accretive acquisitions such as this one continues to be a vital component of our strategic growth priorities.”

Kazakhstan: France-based Saint-Gobain subsidiary Zhambylgips plans to resume the production of gypsum wallboard. Kapital News has reported that the move will create jobs and lead to the development of transport infrastructure in the area, according to the company.