China: Beijing New Building Materials (BNBM) recorded sales of US$1.89bn in the first half of 2026, down by 7% year-on-year. The group noted a rise in costs in the second quarter of the year. As a result, its first-half net profit fell by 29% to US$207m.

In its gypsum wallboard division, BNBM noted ‘weak’ demand throughout the first half of 2026. Sales fell by 13% year-on-year to US$871m, 46% of the group total. Nonetheless, group overseas sales went some way towards offsetting this, with 26% growth to US$60.1m (3%) across four regions: Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. Looking to the rest of 2026 and beyond, the company said that its core business and growth pillars are demonstrating ‘strong competitiveness,’ promising organic growth and strategic mergers and acquisitions in future.

UAE: MAHY Khoory Group subsidiary Union Paper Mills plans to invest US$272m in the construction of a new, fourth unit at its Al Dhafra paper plant in Abu Dhabi, Emirates News Agency has reported. The unit, called PM4, will produce paper for use in the production of gypsum wallboard liners, alongside premium containerboard and other specialised applications.

Albania: UK-based Eco Buildings Group is building a second production line at its glass fibre reinforced gypsum (GFRG) wall panel plant in Albania. Advanced Financial Network News has reported that the line is due for commissioning in December 2026.

Eco Buildings Group’s contracts in Albania include a €11.9m deal for the supply of its GFRG wall panels to the 60-unit Lake Gjokaj residential development in Tirana county from April 2027 to April 2029.

Executive vice chair Etrur Albani said "Together with our on-going work on the Rolling Hills development in Tirana, we are establishing a growing commercial foundation for our industrialised construction technology in Albania.”

Oman: Integrated Gypsum Company has signed a real-estate agreement to build a gypsum production complex at the Salalah Free Zone. The project will manufacture a variety of gypsum-based products including wallboard, powder, plaster and dry-mix products, according to the Oman Daily Observer newspaper. Products made at the site will be targeted at export markets, including Europe.

The project intends to reach a wallboard production capacity of 40Mm²/yr including standard, fire-resistant, moisture-resistant and water-resistant boards. It will also aim for 0.3Mt/yr of processed gypsum powder and 0.15Mt/yr of gypsum plaster and dry-mix products, subject to final designs, contracts, implementation plans, operational requirements and relevant approvals. Products manufactured at the site will be marketed under the local GypsOm brand. The project has a first-phase investment of up to US$26m. The plant will be developed on a site with an area of over 112,000m² near to the Port of Salalah.

Integrated Mining Industries will be the project developer and Integrated Gypsum Company will be the project company and owner. Al Gharbia Enterprises Trading and Contracting Group will work as the project’s local strategic partner aiding construction and civil engineering for the plant.