14 April 2025

On 27 March 2025, the "Domestic Gypsum Raw Materials Innovation Day" was held at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences to discuss the future of gypsum supply. Over 130 participants - on site and online - discussed innovative approaches and strategies for securing the supply of gypsum against the backdrop of the planned coal phase-out by 2038 at the latest, which will result in the end of FGD gypsum. The expert meeting was initiated by the Bundesverband der Gipsindustrie e.V. in cooperation with the Verein für Regionalentwicklung e.V. and Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, which has relevant expertise in the field of raw materials research and is endeavouring to actively help shape this change.

In three thematic blocks, experts focussed on the development of demand for gypsum raw materials, substitution options and their limits as well as the current status of gypsum recycling. In addition, research projects on the development of new gypsum sources and the efficient use of resources were presented.

Thuringia's Environment Minister Tilo Kummer began by emphasising the need to take a holistic approach to gypsum requirements, recycling, substitution options, sustainable raw material extraction and nature and environmental protection.

"The clock is ticking" warned Prof Dr Jörg WagnerPresident of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, and underlined the urgency of the issue: "With the coal phase-out, around five million tonnes of FGD gypsum will be lost every year - a gap that cannot yet be adequately compensated for."

Christian Engelke from the Bundesverband Baustoffe - Steine und Erden e. V. (German Building Materials Association) predicted that demand for gypsum would remain high, particularly due to construction and infrastructure projects. In order to meet this demand, a targeted increase in natural gypsum extraction is necessary in addition to efficient raw material utilisation.

Recycled gypsum is an important alternative source of raw materials to close the resulting gap, according to Dr rer. nat. Sebastian Schmidt, Professor of Alternative Gypsum Raw Materials in the Department of Engineering at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. Recycled gypsum is already used in various construction products such as plasterboard. However, the limited availability poses a challenge, as do the strict quality requirements and the need for single-origin collection. According to forecasts, the amount of gypsum waste will increase in the coming years - a trend that is likely to improve the availability of recycled gypsum, says Professor Schmidt.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Robert-B. Wudtke, holder of the Chair of Geotechnics at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, presented the RCPoroGypsum wall plaster" research project of the Thuringian Innovation Centre for Recyclable Materials. The project deals with the use of aerated concrete and crushed sand in gypsum building products, with the aim of reducing the proportion of binders in gypsum production and maximising the proportion of inert aggregates. According to Professor Wudtke, initial results are promising. It has been shown that a proportion of up to 70 aerated concrete crushed sand is possible in gypsum production without negatively affecting the quality of the end product.

The Innovation Day showed that the gypsum supply of the future must be secured through a combination of material savings, recycling, efficient resource utilisation and innovative research. It also became clear that environmentally friendly gypsum mining can have a positive impact on the protection of species and biotopes. Complete substitution with alternative materials is not realistic at present. This makes targeted investment, a clear legal framework and social acceptance of sustainable solutions all the more important.

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences aims to make a contribution to securing raw materials and conserving resources with its research. It is therefore working on solutions to optimise recycling processes and open up new recycling opportunities - for example by using landfill material.