The global gypsum board trade pattern is changing. Chinese enterprises are exploring emerging markets by leveraging green technologies
According to the latest data from Global Gypsum, the current Global Gypsum Board production capacity is 14.3 billion square meters. Knauf, North New materials and Saint-gobain form a tripartite situation, with a combined production capacity share of 61%. However, regional market differentiation has intensified: In June, the Philippine Tariff Commission officially imposed a five-year anti-dumping duty on Thaigypsum boards, with the corporate duty rate for Thai gypsum products reaching 0.16 US dollars per kilogram, forcing the reconstruction of the supply chain in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, emerging markets such as Africa and Central Asia have become growth engines. OneStone Consulting predicts that the market size of these regions will reach 6.94 billion US dollars in 2025, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 6.5% on par with China. Kyrgyzstan has recently lifted the temporary ban on the import of gypsum boards to alleviate the shortage of domestic supply and open up space for imported products.
Chinese enterprises are accelerating their efforts to capture emerging markets. Industry leader Beixin Building Materials saw its overseas revenue double in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The market share of its factory in Tanzania rose to the top in the local area, and its production base in Thailand also started construction within the year. Taishan Gypsum (Weihai) Company, relying on its green production line capable of processing 350,000 tons of waste gypsum annually, has launched high-end products with high water resistance and formaldehyde removal capabilities overseas. This production line has passed the ISO14001 certification and its level of automation ranks among the top in the world.
"Green transformation is the core competitiveness for going global." " Industry analysts point out that the solid waste utilization technologies and formaldehyde-free product processes of Chinese enterprises not only meet the environmental protection demands of emerging markets but also are suitable for local low-cost construction scenarios. With the acceleration of urbanization in Africa and the expansion of infrastructure in Central Asia, Chinese gypsum board products with resource recycling capabilities are reshaping the global trade landscape.
