Gypsum industry news

Vietnam: Knauf Vietnam has inaugurated a 20Mm²/yr gypsum wallboard plant in Haiphong. The plant had an investment of Euro30m.

"After only two years of operation in Vietnam we have gained product presence in key market segments and regions, which we believe will increase with the supply of our new locally produced products," said General Director David Victor Thomas to state media.

Malaysia: BRB has opened a 10,000t/yr silicone synthesis plant to manufacture additives for the construction industry. The multipurpose silicone plant was officially opened on 2 June 2016 by Dutch ambassador and representatives from the Malaysia Investment Development Authority and the Royal Malaysia Custom Department.

The plant is designed to manufacture vinyl silicone fluid, silicone polyether, low viscosity polydimethyl siloxane fluids, cross-linkers and chain extenders, gum blends, silicone emulsions and silicone antifoams. Its silicone additives can be used in gypsum wallboard production and it has applications in the construction industry including mineral wool insulation materials.

BRB International has invested US$11m in the project. Construction began in May 2014 and was completed in the second quarter of 2016.

South Korea: USG Boral plans to increases production at its Dangjin, South Chungcheong wallboard plant by at least 30Mm². Currently the plant, operated by USG Boral Korea, has a production capacity of 70Mm². Work on the upgrade will start in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the extra manufacturing lines are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2018, according to the Korea Times.

US: USG has sold its gypsum mine in Empire, Nevada to the Empire Mining Company for US$10.3m. The Empire Mining Company purchased the mine and associated land on 27 May 2016, according to land records accessed by the Reno Gazette-Journal. USG shut the mine in late 2010 and the locale has since been described as a 'ghost town'. USG has not commented on the sale.

US: Owens Corning has dedicated a new plant for manufacturing glass fibre non-wovens in Gastonia, North Carolina. The plant will produce a glass veil that can be used to make gypsum wallboard, carpet and ceiling tiles and vinyl flooring and can be used in automotive applications. The unit is also capable of producing Sustaina veil products that use a bio-based, formaldehyde-free binder system.

"Our investment in Gastonia encompasses the most advanced glass veil manufacturing technologies – with the ability to make a broad range of products for diverse customers – a sustainable footprint and a highly trained workforce," said Suman Raha, general manager of Non-Wovens - North America, Owens Corning.