Global Gypsum Newsletter

Issue: GGM77 / 27 August 2026

Headlines


Iraq: Gypsum plants in Najaf governorate have received no fuel oil since May 2026 amidst a shortage due to high seasonal electricity consumption and low gas supplies. Shafaq News has reported that plants remain subject to deductions for their allocations of 60,000l/month. These allocations would allow for 10 days’ gypsum plaster production at a rate of 60t/day of gypsum. The local Najaf oil refinery is currently producing 2800m3/day of fuel oil and supplying 2600m3/day to power stations.

The Iraqi Geological Survey has recorded 142Mt of natural gypsum reserves nationally.


Brazil: France-based Saint-Gobain plans to build a fourth production line at its Feira de Santana gypsum wallboard plant in Bahia. The producer says that the line will be the largest in South America. It follows the inauguration of the plant’s third line in 2024.


Germany: Switzerland-based Holcim has entered into an agreement to acquire alternative boards and flooring systems producer Fermacell from Australia/US-listed James Hardie Industries for €840m. MarketScreener News has reported that Fermacell employs 1000 people across six production sites, with forecast full-year revenues of €430m in 2026. The partners expect to complete the transaction by mid-2027.

James Hardie Industries previously acquired Fermacell, via its acquisition of parent company XI (DL) Holdings, for €473m in 2018.


Uzbekistan: Azerbaijan-based Matanat-A has inaugurated a ‘gypsum plant,’ Trend News has reported. The presidents of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan attended the inauguration of the plant, along with those of two Landau schools and a branch of Uzbekistan-based Davr Bank, on 23 August 2026.

Global Gypsum News previously reported on 9 July 2026 that an unspecified Azeri investor was involved in the construction of a US$50m building materials complex in Qashqadaryo region, to include a gypsum wallboard plant.


Thailand: Siam Cement Group subsidiary Siam Kraft Industry has announced a new, phased investment of US$301m in its Kanchanaburi gypsum wallboard liner plant in Central Thailand. The producer plans to expand the plant’s production capacity by 0.4Mt/yr. When operational by 2029, the expanded plant will be able to produce both gypsum wallboard liner and premium linerboard.


Peru: France-based Saint-Gobain has acquired construction chemicals producer QSI Productos para la Construcción. Saint-Gobain’s existing local construction chemicals platform includes the Soquimic, Weber and Z Aditivos brands.


Brazil: Knauf Brasil and biomethane producer Gás Verde have commissioned a biomethane station at the Queimados gypsum wallboard plant in Rio de Janeiro state. The station will use biomethane derived from landfill sites to generate energy to power the plant’s operations.

In a post to LinkedIn, Knauf Brasil said that the biomethane station will cover 33% of the Queimados plant’s energy consumption and eliminate 9500t/yr of CO₂ equivalent Scope 2 emissions.


Saudi Arabia: National Gypsum Company has provided an explanation to the Saudi Exchange for its delay in reporting its financial results for the first half of 2026, first disclosed on 11 August 2026. In a supplementary announcement submitted to the exchange on 17 August 2026, the producer explained that its external auditor has requested ‘additional technical reports’ on certain items in the results. This required it to engage accredited external specialists, adding to the results’ preparation time.

National Gypsum Company is now coordinating with the external auditor and relevant specialists to publish the results.


Brazil: Trevo Drywall is launching its Conforto Tec acoustic gypsum wallboard at the ExpoConstruir construction trade fair, taking place in Fortaleza, Ceará, on 11 – 14 August 2026. The board incorporates a perforated design to absorb sound and increase speech intelligibility in commercial, corporate and shared-use spaces. Trevo Drywall will also provide technical support to customers, installers and designers working with the board.


Vietnam: Saint-Gobain has acquired gypsum wallboard producer Phu My Innovative Materials (PMIM). Saint-Gobain operates 12 existing sites in Vietnam, with US$229m in reported revenues in 2025. PMIM’s sales were US$22.9m in 2025. Saint-Gobain is targeting investment in ‘high growth markets’ as part of its Lead & Grow development strategy.


Japan: Saint-Gobain has concluded a deal to acquire a majority stake in construction chemicals producer AGC Polymer Materials from AGC Corp, due for completion in early 2027. AGC Polymer Materials recorded US$57.3m in sales in 2025, while Saint-Gobain’s sales in Japan totalled US$344m. Saint-Gobain is targeting investment in ‘high growth markets’ as part of its Lead & Grow development strategy.


Thailand: Saint-Gobain Thailand and recycling service SCL Solutions have reduced the CO2 emissions of Saint-Gobain Thailand’s gypsum wallboard production by a cumulative 2.17t CO2-equivalent through an initiative to collect and recycle used gypsum wallboard. Under the initiative, launched in 2025, SCL Solutions is responsible for collection and delivery of the materials.


Japan: Tokuyama Corporation recorded sales of US$543m in the quarter of 2026, up by 5% year-on-year. The group’s gypsum wallboard recycling segment contributed sales of US$6.9m, down by 26%. As a result, the segment recorded an operating loss of US$44,300, compared to a profit of US$1.01m in the first quarter of 2025.

Nonetheless, Tokuyama Corporation noted a steadily growing acceptance of recycled gypsum as driving earnings growth in its gypsum wallboard recycling segment.


China: China National Building Material (CNBM) recorded a net profit of US$131m in the first half of 2026, down by 35% year-on-year. Dow Jones Newswires has reported that the group cited a decline in the selling price of gypsum wallboard, alongside other ‘major product lines’ as a key contributor to the decline. Additionally, CNBM’s assets underwent a rise in impairment losses.


US: USG plans to mothball its Southard gypsum processing plant and mine and processing plant in Blaine County, Oklahoma, in November 2026. The move is a response to ‘escalating’ complexity and costs impacting ‘specialised’ product lines. USG reportedly plans to phase out ‘a majority of products’ produced at the plant from its portfolio following the closure. Local press has reported that USG employs 300 people across Oklahoma.

USG told Southard plant and mine workers that "We are committed to supporting impacted team members by providing career transition resources, relocation opportunities for those interested in transferring to another USG facility and severance packages for affected employees."


Kyrgyzstan: The Kyrgyz Geological Service has announced a second auction for the Kurgaksay natural gypsum deposit in Tyup, Issyk-Kul, on 23 July 2026. Kyrgyzstan Newsline has reported the starting price in the auction as US$45.60/m2.

A previous auction earlier in 2026 failed to result in the sale of a licence to work the deposit.


Canada: USG subsidiary CGC raised US$45,600 in partnership with The Home Depot Foundation for the Safe Haven Foundation during its fourth annual Cowboy Corral fundraiser on 8 July 2026. The funds will go towards securing safe housing, support and coaching for young women at risk of homelessness in Calgary, Alberta. The Cowboy Corral fundraiser has now raised a cumulative US$103,000 for local charities.

CGC commissioned its new Wheatland wallboard plant 40km outside of Calgary in June 2026.


China: Saint-Gobain Asia-Pacific commissioned a new, 64Mm²/yr gypsum wallboard plant at Kaiping, Guangdong province, on 10 July 2026. The producer said that the plant features automation, with a waste heat recovery plant, closed-loop water recycling systems and a captive renewable power supply. It will recycle 500,000t/yr of industrial by-products as ingredients in its gypsum wallboard production.


Uzbekistan: The government has announced plans for a new US$50m building materials complex in Qashqadaryo region, to include a gypsum wallboard plant. Report İnformasiya Agentliyi News has reported that the project is a ‘bilateral’ undertaking, involving investment from Azerbaijan. The complex will also produce dry building mixes.

Deputy Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Khurram Teshabaev described Qashqadaryo as ‘industrially developed,’ due to its gas and chemicals sector infrastructure.


Oman: Minerals Development Oman subsidiary Oman Minerals Trading Company (OMTC) has signed a US$36.4m working capital facility with Sohar International Bank. Zawya News has reported that the facility will finance the development of its commercial operations, including the centralisation of OMTC’s trade and export of natural gypsum. This in turn will support expansion into new international markets, according to the company.

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