Gypsum industry news

Russia: A US$150m upgrade to a wallboard plant producing GIPSELL brand products in the Kabardino-Balkaria republic has been announced, according to a statement from the local government. Wallboard output is anticipated to grow to 3MM³/yr. After the upgrade the plant will employ at least 400 workers. The launch is planned for August 2013.

US: International Paper has finalised the sale of its Temple-Inland Building Products division to Georgia-Pacific Building Products for US$710m in cash, subject to a customary closing adjustment. The division's assets comprise 15 manufacturing facilities including four gypsum wallboard plants. The facilities are located across eight states, primarily in the south-eastern and eastern portions of the US. The deal was originally announced in late 2012.

UK: Fairport Engineering has appointed Jeff Buxton as the Sales Manager for Heavy Industries. Buxton holds over 35 years of experience working in the bulk materials processing and handling industries and is a fully-qualified mechanical and electrical engineer. His industry knowledge includes the technologies and systems used in the cement, gypsum, aggregates and alternative fuels sectors, amongst others. Previously Buxton has worked for a number of the leading suppliers of proprietary equipment to these markets.

Canada: The NuGyp Corporation is entering into discussions with major equipment suppliers, plasterboard manufacturers and other plaster product manufacturers in the gypsum industry in order to commercialise its patented technology for gypsum, 'The NuGyp Process,' which enables major savings in water consumption and operating costs in plaster production.

The technology, which was voted Best New Product at the Global Gypsum Conference & Exhibition in 2010, has now been proven at full commercial scale and the company's directors believe that it will best be exploited by and benefit a major organisation with established resources, expertise and international distribution networks.

The company has been approached during the development process by a number of interested parties and has now decided formally to offer the technology for sale or possible joint venture.

Russia: Saint-Gobain has started production at its first wallboard plant in Russia. Pierre-André de Chalendar, chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, officially opened the plant, located near Gomzovo in the Nizhny Novgorod region, on 10 July 2013. The new Euro70m plant, which also contains a gypsum quarry, has a workforce of 87 employees.

"The start-up of this new plant is an important step in the group's development within the Russian habitat and construction markets," said de Chalendar. "With its unique portfolio of products and solutions, Saint-Gobain serves rapidly-growing construction markets worldwide. Russia's climate, its rising purchasing power and pressing need for housing means that it's a country with great potential for the group."