Gypsum industry news

Argentina: Sales of gypsum wallboard have fallen by 6.8% year-on-year in 2016, according to data from the National Statistics and Censuses Institute (INDEC). Overall, the domestic construction sector declined by 12.7% in 2016.

US: SGK, a division of Matthews International Corporation, has created a global, unified packaging system for USG Boral. USG Boral hired SGK to brand its varied processes and brands packaging into one core and consistent master brand. The common goal was to unify 14 categories across 12 markets and 13 businesses into one cohesive efficient packaging system.

To prepare for the branding exercise, the USG Boral and SGK teams conducted audit sessions within the different markets and spoke to a range of stakeholders, architects, builders, contractors, distributors and end users. The aim was to create a unified portfolio architecture that allows for future 'premiumization,' whilst optimising brand recognition and product navigation. The new packaging design is intended to allow easy navigation of product types through vivid colours and bold typography. It also includes anti-counterfeiting measures.

"Our partnership with SGK has been a fascinating journey in designing a new, cohesive packaging system for our diverse portfolio across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets. The system manages to convey the union of USG Boral's premium positioning and best-in-class building products technology, manufacturing and distribution footprint. We are now becoming one USG Boral across 12 different markets and cultures throughout Asia, Australia and the Middle East," said Jeremy Verstraete, Marketing Director, USG Boral.

US: The Industrial Packaging division of International Paper has seen its sales fall by 2% year-on-year to US$14.2bn from US$14.5bn in the same period in 2015. Its operating profit fell by 11% to US$1.65bn from US$1.85bn. Overall sales volumes rose slightly to 9.4Mt from 9.3Mt. Paper used for gypsum production rose by 17% to 181,000t from 155,000t. In North America the company blamed the falling profits on fewer shipping days, higher input costs and higher operating costs.

US: USG's net sales have risen by 3.5% year-on-year to US$3.02bn in 2016 from US$2.91bn in the same period in 2015. Its net income fell by nearly half to US$510m from US$991m. Net sales of gypsum rose by 4.6% to US$2.14bn from US$2.04bn.

"We are in a stronger financial position than we have been in for many years," said Jennifer F Scanlon, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of USG. "In 2016 we expanded adjusted operating margins in our Gypsum, Ceilings, and USG Boral businesses. We finished the year on a high note by paying off US$900m of debt."

Germany: Hamburger Containerboard has restarted production at its Gelsenkirchen plasterboard plant following a Euro20m upgrade project. The plant can now produce 0.25Mt/yr of uncoated containerboard, an increase of 20% from previously. During a three week shutdown the production width was widened to 5m and the film press and drying section were updated. In addition, a new pope reeler for wider tambour diameters and an upgraded soft-nip-calander were installed.

"With the restart at the start of the year we are happy to be online with probably one of the most efficient machines in the market again," said Andreas Noss, general manager of Hamburger Rieger.

Hamburger Rieger, with its three German paper mills in Spremberg, Gelsenkirchen and Trostberg is part of the Hamburger Containerboard Division with a total of seven paper mills and 2Mt/yr of produced container board. The Gelsenkirchen plant produces white testliner and grey plasterboard liner.