US: Southern Wall Products plans to invest US$23m in the construction of a new gypsum wallboard finishing products plant in Anderson, South Carolina. When commissioned in June 2025, the plant will employ 28 people.
President Chris Winkler said "Southern Wall Products has been constructing communities since 1981. We are thrilled about this next chapter for our company, our employees and their families.”
Oman: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has launched its Taqa digital investment platform. The Taqa platform will help to leverage digital technologies in the energy and minerals sectors. It includes investor packages for bidding, inspections and licence management. Gypsum quarries will be among sites included in an initial set of studies available on the platform.
Acting Director of the Petroleum Concessions Department Raya Al Abri said “This will allow investors and companies to bid transparently and within a fair competitive environment, based on technical expertise, financial solvency and value-added priorities.”
UK: The Pallet LOOP says that the first batch of its RFID-tagged reusable pallets has entered the UK construction supply chain. This follows its delivery of 30,000 of the pallets to British Gypsum’s Barrow, East Leake and Kirkby Thore gypsum wallboard and plaster plants earlier in May 2024, in partnership with Scott Pallets.
The Pallet LOOP CEO Paul Lewis said "If your business hasn’t already signed up for LOOP collections, now is the time to do so. Our distinctive green reusable pallets are now winging their way across the country, and we want recipients to be ready to send them back to us."
The Pallet LOOP will collect, inspect, repair and redistribute the pallets, paying registered return partners up to €4.69 for each pallet returned.
Canada: USG subsidiary CGC has begun construction of its upcoming Wheatland gypsum wallboard plant in Alberta. The plant will be equipped with a captive solar power plant, and designed for maximum energy and water efficiency.
USG CEO Chris Griffin said "Today's groundbreaking marks a significant win for CGC operations in Western Canada and for our ambitious growth plans in Canada more broadly. This project underscores our commitment to being the best wallboard manufacturer to do business with, particularly as builders, governments and communities across Alberta and the West work to expand housing starts, accessibility and affordability."
