Gypsum industry news

US: Headwaters Resources has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase 100% of the membership interests of Synthetic Materials based in Louisville, Kentucky. The acquisition, which is subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, is expected to close in Headwaters current fiscal year. It is intended to complement the coal combustion product management operations of Headwaters.

Synthetic Materials handles synthetic gypsum processing and management. It has 21 years of experience providing services to the flue gas desulfurisation industry, including the design and construction of gypsum dewatering systems, gypsum marketing, landfill and pond management. At present it provides operations and maintenance services at 10 different utility sites and manages over 4Mt/yr of bulk synthetic gypsum, generating approximately US$25m in annual revenue. The expected purchase price will range between US$38 – 45m, depending upon certain conditions.

UK: British Gypsum has revealed the winners of its National Trophy Awards, which aim to celebrate craftsmanship and skills in using traditional plaster and modern plasterboard systems.

Now in its 10th year, the awards recognise the contribution that contractors make to the UK construction industry on a daily basis, with accolades presented to the following developments across six categories:

• Norwich Enterprise Centre (Innovation and Sustainability)
• Five Pancras Square, London (Plasterboard)
• Resort World, Birmingham (Commercial)
• Michael Sobell Sports Centre and School, Aberdare (Education, Hospitality & Healthcare)
• Great Minster House, London (Residential)
• Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester (Plaster)

"The winning projects were selected due to their commitment to addressing common issues in the construction sector such as reducing carbon, overcoming poor acoustic performance and extending maintenance cycles," commented Alastair Bell, Managing Director of British Gypsum.

The winners will to join more than 33 different countries as UK representatives in the Saint-Gobain Gypsum International Trophy Awards in Prague later in 2016.

France: Saint-Gobain's net income has risen by 36% year-on-year to Euro1.3bn in 2015 from Euro953m in 2014. Its sales revenue rose by 3.3% to 39.6bn from 3.4bn. However, its overall sales volumes remained static with only 0.1% growth. Growth in the company's Flat Glass and Interior Solutions divisions, including wallboard and insulation, held up sales despite sharp declines in sales in France.

"Saint-Gobain delivered improved earnings in 2015 in a sharply contrasted economic climate. The improvement was dampened by continued weak trading in France, hurt in particular by the sharp contraction in our Pipe division in the second half of the year, despite the first signs of an upturn in construction indicators. The group completed a key stage in the reorganisation of its business portfolio, with the sale of Verallia on very favourable terms, and continues to pursue its plan to acquire a controlling interest in Sika after obtaining all antitrust approvals prior to closing the deal," said Pierre-André de Chalendar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Gobain.

The group's Interior Solutions division reported a 7.1% rise in sales revenue to Euro6.49bn from Euro6.06bn. Reduced volumes and prices in the French market slowed growth in Western Europe, although this impact eased in the fourth quarter of 2015. Trading in North America was dented by a slight dip in prices in the second half and by the decline in the Canadian market. Asia and emerging countries continued to deliver growth.

US: Continental Building Products sales fell slightly to US$422m in 2015 from US$425m in 2014. Despite this its net income rose by 5% to US$16.7m from US$15.9m. Wallboard volumes sales rose by 0.9% to 204Mm² from 203Mm².

Colombia: Knauf Colombia has acquired Paneltec, a local gypsum wallboard producer. The acquisition enlarges the wallboard manufactures footprint to a second plant in the country.

"We at Knauf are happy to welcome into our family Paneltec, a company that has earned recognition in our country and the region," said Miguel Rangel Galvis, Knauf Colombia General Manager. "With two industrial plants, the education and service that this operation will bring about in the next months and years, many more customers will be able to enjoy all the benefits of technology that Knauf develops for drywall construction in Colombia."

Knauf Colombia has a wallbaord plant in Cartagena. Paneltec began to produce plasterboard in its Barranquilla plant in 2008. Wallboard sales grew by 10% in 2015 in Colombia.