Gypsum industry news

Uzbekistan: China-based Sinoma Energy Conservation has participated in discussions with the Uzbek government over potential gypsum exploration projects in Jizzakh Region. Trend News has reported that other topics under discussion between the parties included wind turbine production and the establishment of an energy hub. They now plan to move ahead with ‘preparatory activities’ for the proposed projects.

US: Eagle Materials reported revenues of US$635m in the first quarter of the 2026 Fiscal Year (FY2026), up by 4% year-on-year. The group’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), however, fell by 4%, to US$215m. Its net earnings fell by 8%, to US$123m.

In its gypsum business, the company noted ‘steady’ single-family residential construction demand amid a ‘less clear’ interest rate environment. Revenues rose by 1%, to US$251m, and net earnings remained level year-on-year, at US$102m. Gypsum wallboard sales volumes rose by 4%, to 72.8Mm², while prices dropped by 3%, to US$2.50/m². During the quarter, Eagle Materials commenced the purchase of equipment for its upcoming Duke, Oklahoma, gypsum wallboard plant upgrade and expansion.

Michael Haack, president and CEO, said "Eagle had a solid start to FY2026. Against the current backdrop of ongoing macroeconomic and policy uncertainty as well as adverse weather conditions across many of our markets, our portfolio of businesses continued to perform well, and our end markets remained resilient.”

US: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has published its first-quarter 2025 gypsum market data, showing a 9% year-on-year decline in domestic gypsum wallboard deliveries, to 574Mm². The data did not include figures for gypsum wallboard production. Gypsum wallboard exports rose by 30% to 24.8Mm², 23.8Mm² (96%) of which went to Canada. Imports totalled 21.4Mm², up by 6%, 20.5Mm² (96%) of which came from Mexico.

The US produced 4.96Mt of natural gypsum during the quarter, down by 1% year-on-year from the first quarter of 2024. Imports remained level at 1.7Mt. Spain supplied 680,000t (40%), Canada 527,000t (31%) and Mexico 425,000t (25%).

South America: Belgium-based Etex has announced planned and on-going capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments of €65.7m in its gypsum wallboard plants in South America up to 2027. This consists of a €32.5m upgrade to its Huachipa plant in Lima, Peru, a €21.4m upgrade to its Santa Rosa plant in Santiago, Chile, and a €11.8m upgrade to its La Pampa plant in General Acha, Argentina. The Huachipa plant upgrade is scheduled for completion in late 2026, the Santa Rosa plant upgrade for August 2026 and the La Pampa plant upgrade for early 2027.

CEO Bernard Delvaux said "Latin America is a key region where we have been present for 90 years, with 23 sites and close to 2300 teammates today. We are not only scaling our operations but also raising the bar in efficiency, safety and environmental performance."

Bolivia: The Bolivian Port Services Administration (ASP-B) has shipped 2680t of gypsum via Puerto Busch on the Paraguay River in Santa Cruz to Paraguay. The La Razón newspaper has reported that the company now expects to export 11,600t/yr of gypsum along the route. It plans to despatch 3500t throughout July 2025, rising to 8100t in August 2025.

General director Daniel Villarroel noted the suitability of Puerto Busch to facilitate foreign trade, including with markets around the Atlantic Ocean.