Gypsum industry news

Canada: Red Moon Resources Inc. has said that it will commence development of the Ace gypsum mine in western Newfoundland after it received government approval for its plan for an open pit operation.

Operational work, consisting of scrubbing vegetation and overburden removal, has begun at the site. The Canada-listed explorer is working with Vinland Materials Inc. to undertake contract mining operations and secure sales agreements for gypsum and anhydrite. In addition, it is working towards initiating shipments in 2018, with sales contracts to be sourced by 2019.

Red Moon estimated potential resources of 3-5Mt within the mining lease, which was obtained in October 2017.

Turkmenistan: Hilligurlushikonumleri has announced that it is building a dry gypsum compound and plasterboard plant in the city of Magdanly, Lebap Province. The plant, designed to produce 12Mm2/yr of gypsum wallboard and 100,000t/yr of dry gypsum mixtures, will be equipped with modern equipment and technology. Hilligurlushikonumleri says that this will make it possible to compete in the production of high-quality products, while creating new jobs. The construction of the facility is due to be completed by the end of 2019.

US: L&W Supply Corp., a distributor of gypsum wallboard, ceiling systems, steel framing and other building materials for contractors, has announced the acquisition of Rose & Walker Supply.

Rose & Walker is a five-branch distribution company based in Columbus, Ohio. The family-owned business started in 1986 and provides wallboard products, metal studs, ceiling systems and insulation. Rose & Walker has branches in Bloomington, Columbus, Lafayette, Indianapolis and Terre Haute.

L&W says that, as a leading distributor of interior building products, the acquisition supports its overall growth strategy. With this acquisition, L&W now operates 163 locations in 35 states.

China/US: China’s Ministry of Commerce has proposed placing retaliatory tariffs on products from the US, including gypsum and gypsum products. The list covers 5207 items and proposes adding import taxes of up to 25% on them. It includes gypsum and gypsum wallboard. The ministry said that the new tariffs will take effect at a date to be announced later on.

US: Continental Building Products’ net sales in the second quarter of 2018 have risen due to higher gypsum wallboard sales volumes driven by ‘strong’ demand. The company reported an 11.6% increase year-on-year on wallboard volumes to 67Mm² from 60Mm². Its net sales rose by 6% to US$256m in the first half of 2018 from US$241m in the same period of 2017. Its net income rose by 44% to US$35.5m from US$24.6m.