Gypsum industry news

Belgium: Eurogypsum, the European federation of national associations of producers of gypsum products, has welcomed proposed changes to the European Union’s (EU) Construction Products Regulation (CPR). It said that it welcomed “…the proposal presented by the European Commission (EC) on 30 March 2022 as an ambitious basis to strengthen and modernise the existing rules, as well as to speed up the uptake of sustainable and circular practices in the construction product manufacturing industry.”

In preliminary feedback comments the association said that it supports a European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) driven system as opposed to increased regulatory powers for construction material manufacturing that the new proposals might create. For the assessment of the environmental performance of products the association wants more clarity about any potential new digital approach. It reiterated that it supports the continued use of Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA) and Environmental Product Decelerations (EPD). It also called for product labelling to be provided in an electronic format with easy-to-understand pictograms as the norm. However it suggested that any consumer should be able to request a paper version if required.

The CPR regulations were originally introduced in 2011 and are recognisable to consumers through the use of the CE (Communauté Européenne) markings on certain products. The EC has since decided to revise the regulations to fit with newer policy priorities including the European Green Deal.

UK: Saint-Gobain has brought its British Gypsum, Celotex and Isover gypsum wallboard and insulation brands together under the Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions portfolio. The marketing labelling is intended to allow customers to access products, solutions and services.

Dean O’Sullivan, the managing director of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, said “This collective three-brand approach allows customers to access the know-how and expertise of each brand in one place, through our dedicated sector and sales teams. This will bring a range of benefits to our customers, allowing us to provide even better support, with even simpler access to our market-leading systems and products.” He added, ”Each brand continues to play an important part, but by having a single point of contact and sector specific teams, we are confident our customers will realise the strength in collaboration and solutions that ultimately help them meet their needs for outstanding performance, longevity and value.”

Japan: Chiyoda Ute has issued a share sales request as part of ongoing plans to form a joint-venture with Germany-based Knauf. Knauf is expected to acquire the outstanding shares. Shares in Chiyoda Ute will then be delisted in late July 2022. The move follows a tender offer from Knauf that was issued in April 2022. The eventual plan is form a joint-venture between the companies with Knauf holding a 75% share.

Germany: A cyber attack compromised Knauf's computer systems on 29 June 2022, leading the producer to opt for a complete services shutdown. The group said that its information technology (IT) unit successfully isolated the breach and has launched an investigation.

Knauf thanked customers for their understanding and trust. It said "We are currently working heavily to mitigate the impact to our customers and partners – as well as to plan a safe recovery. However, we apologise for any inconvenience or delays in our delivery processes that may occur."

UK: Portugal-based Gypfor has agreed to sell its upcoming Newport gypsum wallboard plant to Germany-based Knauf. Gypfor began building the plant at Associated British Ports’ Port of Newport in March 2021. Knauf estimates that it will commission it later in 2022, and commence full operations in 2023. The plant will be equipped with solar and wind power plants, as well as on-site gypsum wallboard recycling facilities. 54 people will be employed in gypsum wallboard production at the site. Knauf says that the addition of the new plant to its existing facilities at Immingham, Lincolnshire, and Sittingbourne, Kent, will enlarge its UK capacity by 20%.

Knauf’s UK managing director Ian Stokes said “This new plant will significantly increase our ability to service customers throughout the UK, and particularly those in South Wales, the Midlands and the South-West of England. It is a very exciting move for Knauf and, following recent investment in increasing the capacity of Knauf Insulation, reflects the confidence of the Knauf Group in the UK construction sector.”