Gypsum industry news

Romania: Siniat Romania increased its turnover by 6% year-on-year to Euro51.3m in 2020. It attributed this to a growing residential sector, higher demand for logistics spaces and the need for adapted office due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to See News. The subsidiary of Belgium-based Etex Group expects turnover to rise by 5 – 10% to around Euro56m in 2021.

"The construction market in Southeast Europe was one of the most resilient economic segments in 2020. The shock caused by the spring lockdown was followed by a rapid recovery and by an increase in the second half of the year," said Etex Building Performance commercial director Andrei Popa.

The company operates two gypsum wallboard plants in the country and it holds an estimated market share of over 25%. Almost half of the output of the two plants is exported to 11 countries in Southeast Europe.

Oman: Gypsum exports fell by 2% year-on-year to 8.81Mt in 2020 from 9.01Mt in 2020. This has been attributed to weaker demand in key markets caused by a global economic slowdown and the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Oman Daily Observer newspaper. However, industry figures remain optimistic about the future for the sector given the country’s continued position as the world’s largest exporter of gypsum. In 2020 the country exported 2.49Mt of gypsum to Vietnam, 1.49Mt to India, 1.41Mt to Bangladesh, 0.8Mt to Indonesia, 0.78Mt to Japan, 0.49Mt to South Africa and 0.37Mt to South Korea.

Australia: Albacutya Gypsum, based in Victoria, has been embroiled in confusion surrounding a five-day snap coronavirus lockdown in the state. The agricultural gypsum business, which operates from a quarry in Rainbow, was forced to temporarily close in mid-February 2021 due to uncertainty over whether it was an essential service or not, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. However, local farmers, who are deemed ‘essential’ continued to require the product. The owners say the closure cost them around US$15,000 in lost income.

Canada: US-based GMS has acquired DL Building Materials. The company distributes gypsum wallboard and other building products to western Quebec and eastern Ontario via two locations in Gatineau, Quebec, and Kingston, Ontario. Founder Richard Davis, general manager Shana Davis and the existing DL management will continue to lead the business. The acquired locations will continue to operate under the DL brand. No value for the acquisition has been disclosed.

France: Belgium-based Etex has acquired a majority stake in offsite housing construction company e-Loft. The company employs 180 people and makes products in modular residential and other custom-designed buildings using its ‘3D wood’ building technology. It will join the group’s New Ways division. The division develops sustainable, industrialised and modular construction solutions.

Etex chief executive officer Paul Van Oyen said, “We are very pleased to welcome e-Loft into our New Ways division and enthusiastic about the growth opportunities that this strategic acquisition offers to both of our companies. The addition of e-Loft to our global team of experienced lightweight and modular construction businesses further reinforces our ambition to become a leader in future-focussed, sustainable building solutions.”