Gypsum industry news
Search Gypsum News
Xeriant hires two accreditation agencies to test NEXBOARD alternative wallboards
Written by Global Gypsum staff
19 September 2023
US: Xeriant has hired the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and another accreditation agency to test its NEXBOARD waste plastic-based wallboard for the construction market. The producer says that tests will include the NFPA 286 and the ASTM E84 fire safety tests, as well as tests of tensile strength, hardness, water resistance, acoustic and thermal insulating performance, and volatile organic compound emissions.
IF-GIPS commences construction of 300,000t/yr plaster plant
Written by Global Gypsum staff
11 September 2023
Ukraine: IF-GIPS has begun building its upcoming new 300,000t/yr plaster plant in Ukraine. IF-GIPS sells its gypsum products under the KRUMIX brand.
IF-GIPS says that it subsequently plans to build a new gypsum wallboard plant, also in Ukraine.
Christian Bako appointed as Vice-President Marketing & Development at Saint-Gobain
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 September 2023
France: Saint-Gobain has appointed Christian Bako as Vice-President Marketing & Development at Saint-Gobain. He joins the company’s executive committee and will report to Anne Hardy, the Chief Innovation Officer. He succeeds Cordula Gudduschat, who has been appointed as the general manager of Isover and Rigips Germany.
Bako studied International Business Administration in Germany and Spain, and started his career at Roto Frank, where he held sales and general management roles in Germany, Spain and France. He joined Saint-Gobain in 2017 as Chief Digital Officer of the glass business in Germany, where he subsequently became general manager of Glassolutions. In 2020, he was appointed general manager of a High Performance Solutions business for Germany & Austria before becoming, in 2021, General Manager for Central Europe.
British Gypsum’s Robertsbridge plant celebrates 150th anniversary
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 September 2023
UK: British Gypsum’s Robertsbridge plant has celebrated the 150th anniversary of the discovery of gypsum at the site in East Sussex. To mark the event the company held a family day with a range of activities, according to the Sussex Express newspaper. Tanya Young, the plant manager, said "Our legacy is grounded in this discovery, and it's incredible to see how gypsum remains an essential component in modern construction, proving its enduring value over the years." She added “The majority of our employees are locals, and we're proud to have generations of families who have been a part of the British Gypsum family for decades."
Etex uses price rises to drive revenue in first half of 2023
Written by Global Gypsum staff
05 September 2023
Belgium: Etex’s Building Performance division drove revenue in the first half of 2023 through price rises despite a softening in gypsum wallboard sales volumes. The group’s total revenue grew by 4% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis to Euro2.02bn in the first half of 2023 from Euro1.79bn in the same period 2022. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 14% to Euro363m from Euro319m in real terms.
Bernard Delvaux, the chief executive officer of Etex, said “In the first half of 2023, Etex coped with an overall slowdown of the construction sector - both in new build and renovation - triggered by several elements leading to high volatility and uncertainty such as inflation that puts pressure on consumers’ buying power, higher interest rates and more restricted loan policies by banks. However, Etex managed to record improved sales compared to the first half of 2022 through swift adaptations to challenging market contexts and cost-to-price monitoring. While our volumes are slightly impacted, margins remain strong.”
Notable events so far in 2023 include Etex’s acquisition of UK-based Superglass Insulation in June 2023. It divested its two Russia-based units under its Ursa subsidiary in August 2023. It also acquired Betacon, a Romania-based company to secure raw material supply for wallboard activities in the country.