Vietnam: Knauf Vietnam has officially inaugurated its 20Mm² gypsum wallboard plant in the Dinh Vu Industrial Zone in Hai Phong. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, Le Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of Hai Phong People's Committee and Christian Berger, German Ambassador to Vietnam attended the opening ceremony amongst other dignitaries and representatives. Construction of the plant originally started in 2014.

"We have been in Vietnam for just over two years in which time we have set up an effective distribution network, with a strong customer base throughout the country. We are currently supplying the Vietnam market with our locally produced wallboard using leading German technology. All of our products have passed the strict requirements of TCVN 8256:2009 and ASTM C1396 and we have received a lot of positive feedback from our valued customers," said David Thomas, General Director of Knauf Vietnam.

Canada: The federal government has asked for a faster review of anti-dumping tariffs on gypsum wallboard imports. However, the new schedule isn't expected to immediately reduce the duties, according to the Canadian Press. The Finance Department says it wants to help middle-class families in Western Canada, especially those involved in the reconstruction of Fort McMurray, Alberta following wildfires earlier in 2016 that destroyed large numbers of buildings.

"I am grateful to hear the federal government is responding to our concerns and the concerns of people across Fort McMurray with the recent ruling by Canada Border Services Agency that effectively closed Western Canada from imported drywall,'' said Brian Jean, the leader of the opposition Wildrose Party in a statement. He added that his party will continue to ask the government to suspend the tariff during its review or exempt wallboard coming into Fort McMurray from the tax.

In September 2016 the Canada Border Services Agency imposed preliminary tariffs of up to 277% cent on US gypsum wallboard imported into Canada for use in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The agency said it was responded to a complaint by CertainTeed Gypsum Canada.

India: Grenzebach BSH has signed a deal with Classic Gypsum of Kolhapur, Maharashtra to supply a plaster and plasterboard plant. No value for the contract has been announced. The deal was formalised at the 16^th Global Gypsum Conference that took place in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Philippines: Knauf and the German Investment and Development Corporation (DEG) are to build a 16Mm² gypsum wallboard plant in Bataan. The two companies will invest Euro40m in the joint venture project, according to the Philippines News Agency. The agreement was signed at the Philippine embassy in the presence of the Philippine ambassador to Germany Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek, Knauf CEO Manfred Grundke and Christian Laibach and Klaus Helsper on behalf of DEG.

The new plant is planned to be completed by early 2018 and is expected to create 100 direct jobs. The proposed investment was granted pioneer status, to provide tax incentives, by the Board of Investments and the Philippine Trade and Investment Centre-Berlin earlier in 2016.