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Gypsum Association releases 2015 Fire Resistance Design Manual
Written by Global Gypsum staff
23 July 2015
US: The Gypsum Association (GA) has announced the release of the 21st edition of the Fire Resistance Design Manual (FDRM) GA-600-2015.
Revised on a three-year basis, GA-600 has been referenced by the model building codes as a source of fire resistive designs for more than 40 years. The 2015 edition contains nearly 100 new systems that supplement existing assemblies for walls and partitions, floor-ceiling systems, area separation walls and others. Among these are 20 new head-of-wall and base-of-wall systems that expand the options for perimeter relief.
The FRDM is currently referenced by the International Building Code and The National Fire Codes, as well as many state and local jurisdictions in the US and Canada as a source document for fire-resistance and sound-control rated designs that incorporate gypsum board in a variety of building systems. A recently revised ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR 1338) incorporates a reference to the 2015 edition of the Fire Resistance Design Manual as an acceptable source of generic fire-resistance and sound-control systems. Over the years, the FRDM has broadened to address sound and other factors of concern for designers, builders, code officials and the public, featuring more than 700 systems.
USG Corporation reports higher sales and profit in the second quarter of 2015
Written by Global Gypsum staff
23 July 2015
US: USG Corporation has reported results for the second quarter of 2015. On a consolidated basis, net sales grew by 2% year-on-year to US$970m. Operating profit improved by 7% to US$105m. Adjusted operating profit was US$118m in the second quarter of 2015, compared to an adjusted operating profit of US$87m in the second quarter of 2014. USG generated US$79m or, on an adjusted basis, US$78m during the quarter. Adjusted results exclude results from Gypsum Transportation Limited (GTL), a shipping operation that the company has exited, included in the gypsum segment.
"All of our businesses expanded their margins and contributed to our strong second quarter," said James S Metcalf, chairman, president and CEO of USG. "We generated the highest level of net income since the fourth quarter of 2006, when demand was 50% higher."
USG's gypsum segment generated US$98m of operating profit in the second quarter of 2015. On an adjusted basis, operating profit in the gypsum segment improved by US$20m, led by the US gypsum business. Wallboard provided US$14m of improved operating profit and the surfaces and substrates businesses contributed US$9m in total incremental profit. Favourable pricing and improved volumes coupled with lower natural gas costs and operational efficiencies drove the margin expansion in the US gypsum business.
"In the second quarter, our gypsum segment realised its strongest operating margin in over eight years," said Metcalf. "We are focused on expanding our margins and growing our non-wallboard portfolio of products in this business."
Commenting on the future of USG, Metcalf said that, "We made strides in all three phases of our 'Plan to Win' in the second quarter by strengthening our core operations, diversifying our earnings base and differentiating USG through innovation. The outlook for all of our businesses is bright."
Saint-Gobain buys 50% of Lodhia Gypsum Industries
Written by Global Gypsum staff
21 July 2015
Tanzania: Saint-Gobain has finalised the acquisition of 50% of the capital of Lodhia Gypsum Industries, a leading producer of wallboard in Tanzania. The deal is expected to consolidate Saint-Gobain's leadership in the wallboard segment in east Africa and is in line with the group's strategy to expand its presence in sub-Saharan Africa. Lodhia Gypsum, which makes and distributes wallboard in Tanzania, Kenya and neighbouring countries, employs 90 and has a production plant in Arusha, close to the border with Kenya.
VTB Bank strengthens ties with Volma
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 July 2015
Russia: According to ENP Newswire, VTB Bank and Volma have signed two loan agreements worth Euro9.55m over three years. Volma will use the funds to finance the construction of a new plant in the Republic of Adygea and to increase its working capital.
"Supporing manufacturers is one of the bank's priorities, given the importance of the real economy sector to Russia. Volma is a major producer of finishing materials and a serious competitor for West European companies. I'm sure that the bank's support will help it strengthen its position both in Russia and in foreign markets," said Mikhail Oseevskiy, deputy president and chairman of VTB Bank management board.
"VTB Bank is very important for Volma's growth, especially in the current difficult economic situation. It is a strategic financial partner and its assistance has helped us increase our business in recent years,' said Volma director general Vladimir Ovchintsev.
Itera to supply compressed natural gas to Knauf
Written by Global Gypsum staff
07 July 2015
Russia: According to Interfax, Bratskekogaz, which is controlled by Rosneft subsidiary Itera, has concluded a contract to supply Knauf Gips Baikal with compressed natural gas from the Bratskoye field in Irkutsk.
Bratskekogaz has signed agreements to supply compressed natural gas to Knauf Gips Baikal, which has a current demand of 25Mm3/yr. The implementation period is 2016 – 2017. It was reported previously that Knauf CIS was in talks with Itera to supply compressed natural gas to Knauf Gips Baikal to reduce production costs. Knauf Gips Baikal currently operates on liquefied gas delivered from Krasnoyarsk, Tyumen and Omsk, which is 260% more expensive than natural gas delivered by pipeline. This has made it difficult to compete with imported gypsum wallboard and dry construction mixes from China and South Korea.
Knauf will invest US$1.5m in the project to switch to compressed natural gas. The money will be used to build a gas acceptance facility and rebuild the burners and pipelines. The supplier is responsible for building the compressor station and supplying the compressed natural gas tankers for transportation.