China: France-based Saint-Gobain will commence a capacity expansion of its Yangzhou, Jiangsu, gypsum wallboard plant in mid-late 2023. China Daily News has reported that producer expects to commission the expanded plant in 2024.

Asia-Pacific regional CEO Ludovic Weber said that the project is a response to ‘soaring’ demand in Eastern China. Saint-Gobain currently operates four gypsum wallboard lines across the country.

New Zealand: Gypsum wallboard producer and construction firm Fletcher Building has reported a 20% year-on-year drop in domestic housing demand during the first quarter of 2023. The Australian newspaper has reported that the company attributed the decline to ‘soaring’ interest rates in the country. It now expects to sell 800 residential units in 2023, 20% below its previous expectation of 1000 units. Fletcher Building said that building materials costs rose by 5 – 10% between 2020 and 2022, due to ‘higher input and commodity costs’ in production.

CEO Ross Taylor said that Fletcher Building faces labour shortages in its civil construction business, but maintained a strong order pipeline. Taylor said “It won’t drive an uptick in volumes but it will underpin the volumes in the next three to four years.”

Montenegro: UK-based private equity firm Chayton Capital has agreed to fund the feasibility study for the establishment of a joint public/private building materials production complex at the site of the Plejevlja energy hub. The complex will include a gypsum wallboard plant. Emerging Market Watch News has reported that the firm will also be involved in the modernisation of a coal-fired power plant at the site. The total budget for the project is Euro700m.

Canada: Leading global gypsum recycling company New West Gypsum Recycling announced the death of its founder and chief executive officer Tony McCamley on 16 March 2023. It said that McCamley will be 'deeply and dearly' missed as a proud Irishman and for his sense of humour and love of his family.

The company said "Tony was an innovator and a visionary; he was passionate about his business and his family. He started New West Gypsum Recycling over 35 years ago and it has grown into a global business with a lasting environmental impact. His success is attributed to his hard work and dedication: his legacy will live on."