Gypsum industry news

US: USG has proposed to the Forest Service that it be allowed to conduct exploratory core drilling on National Forest System (NFS) lands south of its Shoals gypsum wallboard plant in Indiana. The drilling is intended to verify probable mineral resources within a 520ha area of NFS land ahead of future mining activities that would occur from the plant, according to the Washington Times-Herald newspaper. The USG drilling proposal is for a duration of two years beginning in the spring of 2023.

USG owns the subsurface mineral rights for mining gypsum deposits while the Forest Service owns the surface rights to a portion of land located within the Hoosier National Forest. The Forest Service previously gave permission for USG to conduct drilling on most of the land in 1995 but it is currently evaluating the impact it would entail, considering mitigation options and seeking public comment.

US: CertainTeed has updated its visual branding, including its logo. The new design was officially launched at the International Builders’ Show that took place in Las Vegas from late January 2023. The light building materials producer says that the exercise “represents a major paradigm shift for the manufacturer – reinforcing its customer-focused, comprehensive offering of light and sustainable building solutions and systems.”

CertainTeed’s chief executive officer Mark Rayfield said “As a leader at the forefront of the building sector, we recognised an opportunity to evolve how our customers specify our products." He added, "We're taking 'one-stop shop' to the next level by serving as a preferred source for cohesive systems and complementary products that not only help builders grow their reputation, but make it easier than ever to deliver on what matters most: performance, sustainability, and longevity."

The company says that the new visual identity is inspired by the creative ritual of reviewing and selecting materials in the early stages of construction or remodeling. Logo details, such as the cartouche, borrowed from the logo of parent company Saint-Gobain, serve as a nod to their connection, while the interlocking pattern acknowledges CertainTeed as an interdependent collective of connections - in its work, its communities, and the planet.

UK/Ireland: Knauf UK and Ireland’s haulage contractor Nicholls has switched to using renewably generated liquefied natural gas (LNG) to power its trucks. The transition should reduce Knauf’s Scope 3 emissions generated by transporting its raw materials and products. Knauf’s emissions from deliveries represent roughly 23% of all Scope 3 emissions for the UK business.

Nicholls started trialling LNG powered trucks in 2018 and then built a local refuelling site. It currently uses 29 trucks that run on LNG. The haulage company still uses diesel power vehicles for some routes depending on distance and infrastructure.

US: Georgia-Pacific will close its 60Mm²/yr Quanah gypsum wallboard plant in Texas on 1 March 2023. Local press has reported that the plant employs 166 people. Georgia-Pacific first announced its planned closure in 2020.

US: Eagle Materials’ consolidated sales were US$1.68bn during the first nine months of its 2023 financial year, up by 16% year-on-year from US$1.45bn in the corresponding period of the 2022 financial year. Its net earnings were US$361m, up by 20% year-on-year from US$300m.

In its gypsum wallboard business, the group noted increased sales volumes and prices, alongside a ‘sharp’ drop in raw material costs, during the third quarter of the 2023 financial year. Its gypsum wallboard volumes rose by 5% year-on-year to 67.6Mm² during the quarter. This resulted in a 23% rise in the business’ revenues, to US$235m.