According to the latest USGS figures, producers mined 2.64 million t of gypsum in 1Q15, and increase of 7% y/y, but a decrease of 20% from 4Q14. Synthetic gypsum accounted for 36% of the total 5.52 million t supplied during the first quarter, while sales of uncalcined gypsum (used mainly in the cement industry) were 397 000 t, up 36% y/y and down 28% q/q. The supply of calcined gypsum for 1Q15 was up 10% y/y and down 17% q/q at 3.36 million t.
Both mined and synthetic gypsum are used as a raw material for wallboard, which is the leading consumer of gypsum in the US. Sales of board products were 4.04 million t (equivalent to 450 million m2), down 19% q/q and up 10% y/y.
Imports of crude gypsum amounted to 879 000 t in 1Q15, down 17% from 4Q14 and up 12% from 1Q14, according to the US Census Bureau. The data also shows gypsum wallboard imports fell 29% q/q and 4% y/y to 72 000 t. Wallboard exports were also down q/q but up 10% y/y at 209 000 t.
Adapted from press release by Katherine Guenioui