The gypsum market has seen massive growth in recent decades. Rаpid urbanization as well as an increasing demand for eco-friendly construction materials have made gypsum an attractive commodity.
The global gypsum market was valued at about $12 billion USD in 2023. The recent projections claim that the market is expected to reach about $22 billion USD by 2032. This huge shift is without a doubt attributed to the versatility as well as the exceptional sustainability that this material offers.
This blog highlights four of the major trends in the global gypsum market that have dominated the scenes. As we move into 2025 these trends are expected to grow even further thus making gypsum a central material in modern infrastructure.
Here is a brief overview of the major trends in the gypsum market with top gypsum contractors
1. Regulatory Trends in the Gypsum Market
The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) & International Green Construction Code (IGCC) are likely to get more active for gypsum manufacturing as well as usage practices.
Though these codes are based in the USA other countries are also using similar codes to ensure greener development. These energy or sustainability codes are driving product development in the construction sector worldwide.
Another factor is the environmental regulations that are directly influencing the gypsum market. These regulations aim at reducing greenhouse emissions to reduce climate change as well as its harmful effects.
This is forcing the construction markets across the globe to look at more greener alternatives thus putting gypsum at the forefront.
2. Regional Trends
The adoption of gypsum based components like gypsum partition, panels, or plasterboards is gaining so much attention in certain developing countries. These regions previously relied solely on cement or traditional plaster which is highly unsustainable.
As the application of gypsum in these countries increases so does the need to create local manufacturing plants that can produce gypsum-based products to meet the demands of the local market.
For example, you can look at Italy which didn’t have any local gypsum plasterboard manufacturing plants if we go a few years back. But as the demand for this material grew exponentially every leading gypsum contractor like Saint-Gobain, Knauf, and Etex Siniat turned to the market. Currently there are about 4 plants in the country that are producing gypsum and its related products.
3. Eco-Friendly Practices
This is another key consideration that is reshaping the gypsum industry worldwide. One major trend that has gathered more attention is the reusing of the same materials after recycling for different construction purposes.
The demand for such materials is driven by factors like changing regulations on how much waste can go to landfills. Other factors like end-use as well as sustainable architectural practices are also driving the need for gypsum products.
Many manufacturers are working on programs to recycle gypsum products that went to construction sites but were never used either due to poor strength or due to being in excess.
Countries like the US are developing standards or guidelines to pinpoint recyclable construction materials. These guidelines involve segregating waste in the construction sites that can be reused.
4. Penalization or Prefabrication
Penalization or prefabrication of construction components is becoming the new normal. This approach is getting traction due to the fact that it significantly reduces the time to complete a construction project without sacrificing the quality.
Both small and large gypsum players are focusing on penalizing specific gypsum components by forming specific divisions that are dedicated to this task. The use of prefabricated gypsum components is ideal for industries that want to replicate common designs in their facilities across multiple locations to enhance efficiency.
The prefabrication facilitates the off-site preparation of gypsum components which can be transported to construction sites and installed in a fraction of the time.
The penalization trend has made gypsum a viable option across a wide range of industries like healthcare or manufacturing plants where it allows you to erect functional structures without disrupting the workflow.
Final Thoughts
Gypsum finds applications both in industrial as well as residential construction projects across the globe. This material owes its success to its versatility along with cost-effectiveness.
Most modern development projects prefer gypsum-based panels, boards, floors, etc., as they meet all the sustainability requirements of urban living in the 21st century. The global gypsum market is constantly undergoing rapid growth and the trends we have mentioned here are solid proof of the fact that this material will most likely have the center stage in modern urban development for the foreseeable future.