Saint-Gobain Canada Inaugurates First Zero-Carbon* Gypsum Wallboard Plant in North America and Largest in the World
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Ribbon-cutting ceremony of the largest zero-carbon gypsum board plant (Scopes 1 and 2) in the world by
The numerous facility upgrades also helped decrease energy usage by up to 30% and boost production capacity by up to 40%, as
With the new process and equipment, CertainTeed’s plant has reduced its CO2 emissions by 44,000 tons per year – which is equivalent to the average emissions of 14,000 cars annually. This milestone also marks the launch of a new Infinaé gypsum wallboard category in
Infinaé is Saint-Gobain’s highest performance, lowest climate impact range of gypsum solutions engineered to lead the way in construction with products made right here in
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“The ambitious electrification project we just completed in |
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“Today’s ribbon cutting ceremony marks several years of hard work and dedication to build a sustainable and net-zero (scopes 1 and 2) plant that will be an example for the entire manufacturing industry,” said |
Strong partnerships to further Quebec’s energy transition
The project represents a major investment that was conducted in partnership with both Quebec’s government and Hydro-
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“Saint-Gobain shares our government’s commitment to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonize our economy. Establishing its zero-carbon gypsum wallboard plant is a great example of this, and we are extremely proud to see this important project come to fruition here, in the riding of Sanguinet,” stated Christine Fréchette, MNA for Sanguinet and Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy. |
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“Hydro-Québec is proud to have contributed to the creation of the first zero-carbon gypsum wallboard plant in
To achieve |
A three-year transformation for the better
Overall, 80% of the plant’s equipment was upgraded through this three-year project and new processes were implemented to significantly reduce carbon emissions:
- Replacing natural gas burners with highly efficient electrical heating elements;
- Implementing real-time smart energy meters and management system;
- Implementing multiple heat recovery systems and upgrading equipment insulation;
- Adding process sensors to monitor and improve production quality;
- Improving compressed air design.
Additional improvements are being implemented and will be deployed in the near future to further improve sustainability at the site:
- Increasing recycled content by using pre- and post-consumer waste;
- Reducing inbound transportation of natural gypsum rock from various sources.
On the journey to net zero carbon by 2050
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With the success of
Saint-Gobain's recycling partnership with New West Gypsum inVancouver , which surpassed 1,000,000 tons of recycled gypsum put back into production since 1985,Saint-Gobain Canada is working to expand its gypsum recycling activities to new regions inCanada .
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This includes a pilot program in
Quebec , with the intent to expand the program more largely to divert gypsum from landfills.
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Earlier this year,
Saint-Gobain Canada introduced Lanaé, a new insulation technology with up to 82% of recycled content and a bio-sourced renewable binder. Production of Lanaé supportsSaint-Gobain's commitment to creating a circular economy in building materials, with production waste recycled into the Ultratherm regrind insulation product.
- Over the past year, CertainTeed Gypsum Winnipeg has spearheaded an innovative water usage reduction project that significantly optimized water and energy usage during gypsum wallboard production.
- This unique project resulted in reducing water consumption by 240,000 less water gallons used per year, decreasing CO2 emissions (scopes 1 & 2) by 5,000 tons per year and saving over 25 million kWh in energy consumption per year.
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With the support of FortisBC and British Columbia’s
CleanBC Program for Industry , CertainTeed Vancouver invested nearly$7M to install a new heat recovery system. The sustainable innovation reduces carbon emissions (scope 1) by up to 15% during the production process by recycling some of the waste heat emitted from the dryer.
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Saint-Gobain Canada is also looking at significantly reducing transportation miles and Scope 3 carbon emissions, by strategically positioning its upcomingAntrim Gypsum Project inNova Scotia to supply itsNortheastern North America operations.
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The Group also initiated a permitting phase for a future rail loadout project for the
Kootenay West Gypsum Mine , which will significantly reduce trucking distances from 4.5 million kilometers to 250,000 kilometers annually. This project would support Saint-Gobain’s sustainability goals by significantly reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions due to transportation of raw material.
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*Scopes 1 and 2
About CertainTeed
With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high-performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home.
A subsidiary of
About
Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction,
€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250926085852/en/
Contact for media only:
Public Relations Manager,
alexandre.lainesse@saint-gobain.com
514-973-1187
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