US: Saint-Gobain North America has appointed Robert Panaro as its chief financial officer (CFO) and Senior Vice President of Finance. He previously worked as Vice President and CFO of CertainTeed, Saint-Gobain’s largest subsidiary in North America, and brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role. In his current role, Panaro will be responsible for overseeing mergers and acquisitions, capital investments and financial services in North America. He assumed the position earlier this year, succeeding Philippe Nouailhac as Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO for Saint-Gobain North America.

Panaro graduated from Boston College and holds a Bachelor of Science in management with a concentration in accounting and finance. He has served on the board of directors for the Grid Company, a joint venture between CertainTeed and Bailey Metals, Merit Abrasives and EcoTarium, a Natural Science Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Canada: Red Moon Resources has loaded its first shipment from its Ace gypsum mine in western Newfoundland. The company is working with Vinland Materials, a related company, to undertake contract mining operations and secure sales agreements for gypsum and anhydrite. A deep-water port connected by a haulage road is located approximately 9km from the mine. The site covers approximately 11.79 hectares and has the potential for a 10 year mining life at an average production rate of 350,000t/yr.

US/China: The Office of the US Trade Representative has started implementing a 10% tariff on mineral and other products from China, including gypsum products, following a consultation period. Mineral products affected by the proposed tariffs of interest to the gypsum wallboard industry include gypsum, anhydrite and plaster products made from calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate. Lime, cements and additives for cements, mortars and concretes are also affected.

The latest tariff list follows an earlier decision by the US government to tax imports from China worth US$34bn that came into force in early July 2018.

US: Data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) shows that consumption of calcined gypsum rose by 2.95% year-on-year to 8.38Mt in the first half of 2018 from 8.14Mt in the same period in 2017. Production rose by 3.05% to 8.44Mt from 8.19Mt. However, consumption of all gypsum fell by 1.47% to 20.1Mt from 20.1Mt with a decrease in mined gypsum and an increase in imported gypsum. Calcined gypsum used for board products rose by 2.94% to 10.5Mt and the total supply of board products rose by 3.11% to 1.17Bnm².