Gypsum industry news
Calcined gypsum consumption rises in first half of 2018 12 September 2018
US: Data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows that consumption of calcined gypsum rose by 2.95% year-on-year to 8.38Mt in the first half of 2018 from 8.14Mt in the same period in 2017. Production rose by 3.05% to 8.44Mt from 8.19Mt. However, consumption of all gypsum fell by 1.47% to 20.1Mt from 20.1Mt with a decrease in mined gypsum and an increase in imported gypsum. Calcined gypsum used for board products rose by 2.94% to 10.5Mt and the total supply of board products rose by 3.11% to 1.17Bnm2.
Knauf Gypsum Tanzania to benefit from natural gas agreement 12 September 2018
Tanzania: Knauf Gypsum Tanzania is set to benefit from a new connection to the Madimba natural gas pipeline as part of a project by the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC). The project plans to connect local industries in the Mkurunga area, south of Dar es Salaam, to the pipeline, according to the Citizen newspaper. Knauf Gypsum Tanzania and Lodhia Steel Industries have agreed to be connected soon after the installation of electricity is completed.
Georgious Zachopoulos, the managing director of Knauf Gypsum Tanzania, said that he expects the plant to save at least US$3m by switching to natural gas from coal. At present the unit sources coal from the Iringa region. Moving to natural gas is also expected to increase the lifetime of the machines at the plant and reduce its emissions. The plant expects to start using natural has by the end of 2019.