Plasterboard Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Plasterboard Market is projected to expand from a valuation of USD 32.44 Billion in 2025 to USD 47.58 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 6.59%. Plasterboard, a construction panel typically composed of a gypsum core encased in heavy paper or fiberglass mats, is primarily used for ceiling linings and internal partitions. The market is largely propelled by swift urbanization and the ongoing development of commercial and residential infrastructure. Additionally, the material's widespread adoption in modern construction is reinforced by its inherent fire resistance, acoustic insulation properties, and faster installation speed relative to traditional wet masonry.

A major hurdle restricting market growth is the declining availability of synthetic gypsum resulting from the closure of coal-fired power stations, which causes raw material shortages and forces a costly shift toward natural or recycled alternatives. Highlighting the demand in a key region, the Gypsum Association reported that sales of gypsum board products in the United States reached 3.80 million metric tons during the third quarter of 2024. This figure underscores the continued reliance on the material despite the significant pressures affecting the supply chain.

Market Drivers

The growth of global residential construction serves as a fundamental driver for the industry, creating a need for efficient solutions in wall partitions and ceiling assemblies. As housing deficits in major economies accelerate building schedules, contractors increasingly favor plasterboard for its rapid installation and smooth finish compared to traditional wet plastering. This trend is particularly strong in North America, where residential output remains resilient; according to the U.S. Census Bureau, September 2024, in the 'Monthly New Residential Construction, August 2024', privately-owned housing starts were authorized at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,356,000 units. To leverage such regional opportunities and fortify supply chains, major manufacturers are pursuing aggressive inorganic growth, such as Saint-Gobain's 2024 definitive agreement to acquire CSR Limited for AUD 4.5 billion to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific market.

Concurrently, the rising demand for eco-friendly building materials is driving manufacturers to innovate production processes and improve product lifecycles. Regulatory bodies and green building certifications are steering the sector toward circular economy models, promoting the reduction of embodied carbon through the use of synthetic gypsum and post-consumer waste. This shift encourages the adoption of lightweight, high-recycled-content boards that maintain structural integrity while lowering transportation emissions. Illustrating this transition, Etex reported in April 2024, in its 'Combined Annual Report 2023', that it successfully incorporated 8.6% recycled gypsum into its global production, ensuring plasterboard remains a preferred component in sustainable architecture.

Market Challenges

The diminishing supply of synthetic gypsum, largely sourced as a byproduct from coal-fired power stations, presents a significant barrier to the global plasterboard market's expansion. Manufacturers have historically relied on this material, known as Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, for its cost-efficiency and consistency, but the rapid closure of coal plants has disrupted this supply chain, necessitating a return to natural gypsum. This transition requires increased mining and complex logistics, as natural deposits are often distant from production hubs, leading to higher sourcing and transport costs that erode margins and cause pricing volatility capable of stalling market growth.

This supply constraint limits the industry's ability to meet rising construction demands without inflating costs. As the volume of accessible synthetic feedstock contracts, competition for remaining resources intensifies, hampering production scalability. According to the American Coal Ash Association, in 2024, the utilization of synthetic gypsum in panel products fell to 12.9 million tons. This reduction highlights the tangible impact of supply shortages, creating a bottleneck that impedes the sector's ability to maintain the low-cost, high-volume output essential for widespread market adoption.

Market Trends

The integration of prefabricated and modular construction is reshaping the industry, with developers increasingly prioritizing off-site manufacturing to address labor shortages and speed up project timelines. This trend demands high-strength, dimensionally precise plasterboards capable of withstanding transport stresses while minimizing on-site waste. Manufacturers are responding by developing specialized board systems compatible with automated assembly lines to support the shift toward industrialized housing. According to Saint-Gobain, March 2025, in the article 'Is building fast the same as building better?', the global off-site construction market for housing reached US$22.87 billion in 2024, highlighting the scale of this evolution within the building sector.

Simultaneously, innovation in fire-resistant and impact-resistant panels is surging due to strict safety regulations and urban densification. Market players are engineering heavy-duty gypsum boards reinforced with fiberglass and high-density cores to offer superior durability and fire protection for commercial and high-rise residential applications. These advanced panels meet rigorous building codes while reducing long-term maintenance costs. Underscoring this commitment, according to Woodworking Network, February 2025, in the article 'Georgia-Pacific announces executive vice president of building products', the company led a $300 million expansion in Sweetwater, Texas, to strengthen its capacity to meet growing customer needs in residential and commercial markets.

Key Players Profiled in the Plasterboard Market

• Etex Group
• Saint-Gobain
• Georgia-Pacific
• AWI Licensing LLC
• National Gypsum Services Company
• Ahlstrom Oyj
• Boral Limited
• Yoshino Gypsum Co., Ltd.
• Nichias Corporation

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Plasterboard Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Plasterboard Market, by Type:

• Standard
• Fire-Resistant
• Sound-insulated
• Moisture-Resistant
• Thermal
• Specialist
• Impact-Resistant

Plasterboard Market, by Form:

• Tapered-Edged
• Square-Edged

Plasterboard Market, by End-User Sector:

• Residential
• Non-Residential

Plasterboard Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Plasterboard Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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