UK: Freight transportation services provider XPO Logistics has started taking delivery of 76 Volvo FM trucks that will be used exclusively on the company's contract with British Gypsum. 23 of the tractor units are Volvo FM LNG models running on bio-generated liquefied natural gas. The other 53 Volvo FM trucks will be fuelled with hydrotreated vegetable oil. The vehicles are expected to reduce their greenhouse gases emissions by 90% compared to diesel tractors giving a total network reduction of 30%.

Brian Fisher, Head of Distribution at British Gypsum, said "Our new fleet of vehicles underlines our commitment to ensuring that our products are delivered to customers in an efficient, secure, safe and sustainable way, whilst further improving welfare standards for our drivers. The latest investment signifies yet more progress as we continue on our journey to being net carbon zero by 2050 and highlights our continued commitment to the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) and Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) status."

The Volvo trucks will form part of British Gypsum's single, integrated transportation network, digitally managed by XPO. They will deliver building supplies to a broad customer base and will transport stock and materials including plaster, wallboard and high-performance drylining systems – between British Gypsum's five production plants. The Volvo FM LNG trucks will refuel at Gasrec's site at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal.

UK: Etex has awarded a contract for construction of its new Euro167m Bristol gypsum wallboard plant in North Somerset to McLaughlin & Harvey. The plant will include a post-consumer gypsum recycling facility and is scheduled for commissioning in 2022.

Germany: Wacker’s Silicones division’s sales grew by 16% year-on-year to Euro2.60bn in 2021 from Euro2.24bn in 2020. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 43% to Euro553m from Euro388m. This was attributed to higher selling prices and volumes. Overall the group’s sales increased by 32% to Euro6.21bn and its EBITDA more than doubled to Euro154bn.

Following ‘robust’ demand across all business divisions in the first two months of 2022, chief executive officer Christian Hartel said, “We expect our chemical business to perform well during the rest of the year, and anticipate higher prices, volume growth and positive product-mix effects in this segment.” He added that the direct impact upon sales volumes from the war in Ukraine upon the business would be limited as Commonwealth of Independent States sales represented less than 2% of the group’s sales. However the rise in gas and electricity prices was recognised as a concern. The group added that it had benefited at the start of 2022 from the raw materials and energy it had procured in 2021 under more favourable conditions.

Russia: Belgium-based ETEX has announced the suspension of all of its Russian activities ‘immediately and until further notice.’ The gypsum wallboard producer operates two sites for the import and sale of fibre cement façade materials near Moscow. It says that it will take care of the 50 colleagues it employs there.

The group said “We will continue to do everything we can for the safety and well-being of all our teammates and hope that peace will prevail quickly.”