Gypsum industry news

Kazakhstan: Germany-based Knauf will build a US$30.5m, 225,000t/yr dry plaster mix plant in Zhambyl, creating 100 new jobs in the region. When operational, 80% of the plant’s production will supply the domestic market and 20% will supply other Central Asian countries. Business World Magazine News has reported that Knauf has secured a licence for gypsum extraction at the Ulken-Burultau deposit in the Zhambyl region with verified reserves of 84Mt.

Knauf regional representative Alexander Blumhardt said "We consider Kazakhstan as a priority direction for the development of our business in the region. The country has a powerful raw material base, a growing market and high openness to investors."

Philippines: The Tariff Commission has ordered that anti-dumping duties of 9% be imposed on imports of gypsum wallboard from Thailand for a period of five years. The commission has found that imports caused ‘material injury’ to domestic gypsum wallboard production. In specifying the rate of duties, the commission named two Thai exporters of gypsum wallboard in particular: Gypman Tech Company and Thai Gypsum Products.

During the period under investigation (January 2019 – September 2024), dumped gypsum wallboard accounted for 71% of imports.

India: The anticipated India-Oman comprehensive economic partnership agreement remains close to signing, BusinessLine Online News has reported. Nonetheless, ‘one issue’ reportedly still requires ‘ironing out.’ This is the Indian government’s rejection of Oman's Omanisation policy, which is continually increasing the proportion of Omani nationals required to be employed in the country’s industries. The Indian government has asked for a freeze to the requirements, which works to the exclusion of the Indian expat community in Oman, it says.

Bilateral trade between India and Oman was worth US$8.9bn in 2024. Gypsum is among the key Indian imports from Oman.

Egypt: Industrial House for Building Materials has signed a contract with the General Authority of the Suez Canal Economic Zone to build a new factory in Sinai’s Technology Valley in East Ismailia. Arab Finance News has reported that the producer will invest US$12m to build the plant. When operational, it will produce 4Mm²/yr of gypsum wallboard, 900,000t/yr of plaster and 60m bags annually. Industrial House for Building Materials expects to export 80% of the plant’s total production.

US: Gypsum producers mined 22Mt of natural gypsum in 2024, according to the figures published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Production rose by 2% year-on-year from 21.5Mt in 2023. The USGS listed California, Iowa and Kansas as the top producers among 15 gypsum-mining states in the US in 2024. 45 different mines contributed to the total. Major domestic applications for the gypsum included use as raw materials in the country’s 3.16Bnm²/yr-capacity gypsum wallboard industry. The sector sold an estimated 2.6Bnm² of wallboard throughout the year, up by 4% year-on-year.

The US exported 45,000t of natural gypsum during 2024, up by 2% from 44,000t in 2024. Its imports declined year-on-year, meanwhile, by 4%, from 7.77Mt to 7.4Mt – 17% of a total domestic consumption of 44Mt.

Spain: The province of Almería in Andalusia exported €544m-worth of gypsum and limestone in 2024, 10% of its total exports by value. Ideal Online News has reported that this represents a year-on-year drop in exports of the products of 9%.

Regional delegate for Economy, Finance, EU Funds and Industry, Energy and Mining Guillermo Casquet said “Almería continues to strengthen its international position, registering growth in regular exporting companies and maintaining a strong balance of trade.”

Spain: The President of Galicia has called on the EU to protect the interests of its member states in anticipation of new US tariffs. Economía Digital News has reported that Galicia exported €32m-worth of gypsum plaster and stone in 2024. The US ranks 11th among the autonomous community’s export partners.

Oman: National exports of gypsum were 12Mt in 2024. Former Zawawi Minerals director and CEO Ramachandran said that year-on-year growth was 7%, with volumes up from 11.2Mt in 2023.

India: Representatives of the Indian and Omani government are in a fifth round of talks over a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Under the proposed agreement, the parties would reduce or eliminate customs on goods traded between the Indian Ocean nations. Gypsum is among India’s ‘key imports’ from Oman.

Egypt: Knauf Egypt is planning to invest US$86m in the construction of its upcoming third gypsum plant. Al Mal News has reported that the unit will double Knauf Egypt’s total production capacity of products including gypsum wallboard. It will raise the company’s installed gypsum wallboard capacity to 60Mm²/yr. The upcoming plant will serve both domestic and export markets. Knauf Egypt currently sells its wallboard in 13 countries, including Greece, Morocco and South Africa.